Consumer Medicine Information
WARNINGS
Limitations of use
Because of the risks associated with the use of opioids, Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Paracetamol 500 mg and Codeine Phosphate hemihydrate 15 mg Tablets should only be used in patients for whom other treatment options, including non-opioid analgesics, are ineffective, not tolerated or otherwise inadequate to provide appropriate management of pain (see section 4.4 SPECIAL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR USE).
Hazardous and harmful use
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Paracetamol 500 mg and Codeine Phosphate hemihydrate 15 mg Tablets poses risks of hazardous and harmful use which can lead to overdose and death. Assess the patient’s risk of hazardous and harmful use before prescribing and monitor the patient regularly during treatment (see section 4.4. SPECIAL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR USE).
Life threatening respiratory depression
Serious, life-threatening or fatal respiratory depression may occur with the use of Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Paracetamol 500 mg and Codeine Phosphate hemihydrate 15 mg Tablets. Be aware of situations which increase the risk of respiratory depression, modify dosing in patients at risk and monitor patients closely, especially on initiation or following a dose increase (see section 4.4 SPECIAL WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS FOR USE).
Concomitant use of benzodiazepines and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol
Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids, antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, cannabis or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Limit dosages and durations to the minimum required; and monitor patients for signs and symptoms of respiratory depression and sedation. Caution patients not to drink alcohol while taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Paracetamol 500 mg and Codeine Phosphate hemihydrate 15 mg Tablets.
Please read this information before you start taking this medicine
What is in this Leaflet?
This leaflet answers some common questions about Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.
Keep this information with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What are Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets used for
This medicine may be addictive if taken for more than a few days at a time.
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets are used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets contain paracetamol and codeine phosphate hemihydrate. Paracetamol and codeine phosphate hemihydrate work together to stop the pain messages from getting through to the brain. Paracetamol also acts in the brain to reduce fever.
Your doctor or pharmacist may have given you this medicine for another use.
If you want more information, ask your doctor.
Before you take Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets
When you must not take it
You should not take Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets if you are allergic to paracetamol or codeine or any of the ingredients listed under ‘Product Description”. The symptoms of an allergic reaction may include a rash, asthma attack or hay fever.
Do not take this medicine if you have any of the following conditions:
- acute breathing difficulties such as bronchitis, unstable asthma or emphysema
- chronic constipation
- diarrhoea caused by antibiotics or poisoning
Do not take this medicine if you regularly drink large quantities of alcohol.
Do not take codeine during labour, especially if the baby is premature. The medicine may produce withdrawal effects in the newborn baby.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets if you are breastfeeding. A small amount of codeine passes into the breast milk. It may cause breathing problems in newborn infants.
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets may be used during pregnancy. However, ask your pharmacist or doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets while you are pregnant.
Do not take Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra tablets during label, especially if the baby is premature.
This medicine may produce withdrawal effects in the newborn baby.
Do not use Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra tablets if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
Do not use Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets in children under 12 years.
Ask your doctor about taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets if you are over 65 years of age and have kidney or respiratory problems.
Do not use it after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack. If you take it after the expiry date it may have no effect at all, or worse, have an entirely unexpected effect.
Do not use Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Before you start to take it
Do not take Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets with other medicines containing paracetamol or codeine, unless advised to do so by a doctor.
You must tell your doctor if:
- You have allergies to any ingredients listed under “Product Description” at the end of this leaflet.
- You have any of these conditions:
– Liver or kidney problems
– Difficulty breathing, wheezing, chronic cough, asthma or other chronic breathing conditions
– You drink large quantities of alcohol
– You have a history or drug or alcohol abuse
– Recent surgery on the stomach or intestines
– Head injury
– Enlarged prostate
– Low blood pressure
– Underactive thyroid - You should tell your pharmacist or doctor if you are using any other medicines including any of the following medicines:
– Any medicines causing sleepiness
– Tranquillisers (medicines for anxiety and nerves)
– Medicines which thin the blood (e.g. warfarin)
– Medicines to treat epilepsy
– Metoclopramide, a medicine used to control nausea and vomiting
– Chloramphenicol, an antibiotic used to treat ear and eye infections
– Medicines used to relieve stomach cramps or spasms
– Medicines used to prevent travel sickness
– Medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease
– Medicines used to treat high blood pressure
– Medicines for diarrhoea, such as kaolin, pectin and loperamide
– Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, medicines used to treat depression, if taken within the last 14 days
– Quinidine, a medicine used to treat abnormal or irregular heart beat
– Phenothiazines and antipsychotic agents, medicines used to treat mental disorders
– Other opioids, used to treat pain or suppress coughs
– Alcohol
– If you are an Ultra‐rapid metaboliser of CYP2D6
– If you are aged below 18 years of age and have had your tonsils or adenoids removed to treat sleep apnoea
These medicines may be affected by Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets or affect how well Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets work.
Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are taking any of these medicines.
You should also tell your pharmacist or doctor about any other medicines that you have bought without a prescription from either your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
If you have not told your pharmacist or doctor about any of these things, tell him/her before you take any Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets.
How to take Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets
The label on your pack Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets will tell you how to take your medicine and how often. If you are unsure about the directions ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How much to take
The usual dose of Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets is:
Adults and children over 12 years: 2 tablets.
This dosage may be repeated in 4‐6 hours if necessary. You should not take more than 8 tablets in a 24‐hour period.
How long to take it
Adults: Do not take this medicine for longer than a few days at a time unless advised to by a doctor.
Children aged over 12 years: Do not take this medicine for longer than 48 hours at a time, unless advised to by a doctor.
Keep to the recommended dose. If Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets are not adequately controlling your pain, do not increase the dose. Please see your doctor.
How to take it
Swallow tablets whole with a little water or other liquid.
The directions given to you by your doctor may be different from the information in this leaflet. If you are unsure what dose to take, ask your doctor.
If you forget to take it
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed, and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose missed.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (Overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention because of the risk of delayed, serious liver damage with an overdose of paracetamol.
Keep telephone numbers of these places handy.
If you take too many tablets you may feel nauseous, light headed, dizzy or drowsy.
While you are taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets
Things you must do
Take Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets exactly as your pharmacist or doctor has told you to.
Tell all your doctors, dentists and pharmacists that you are taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets.
Things you must NOT do
Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaint unless your doctor says it is safe. Do not give this medicine to anyone else even if they have the same symptoms as you.
Adults: Do not take this medicine for longer than a few days at a time unless advised to by a doctor.
Children aged over 12 years: Do not take this medicine for longer than 48 hours at a time, unless advised to by a doctor.
Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to.
Things to be careful of
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets may cause dizziness or drowsiness in some people, especially after the first dose.
If affected do not drive a car, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or drowsy. Children should not ride bikes if affected and should be supervised to avoid potential harm. Do not drink alcohol.
Drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of becoming drowsy.
Codeine may be habit forming if taken in high doses for extended periods of time. Too much paracetamol may cause delayed, serious liver damage. Please ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned about this.
About 8% of people are poor metabolisers of codeine. Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets may not work as well if you are one of those people.
Side Effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets.
Like other medicines, Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets can cause some side effects. If they occur, they are most likely minor and temporary. However, sometimes they are serious and need medical treatment.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
Stomach problems such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Constipation
If you are taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets regularly, you may also need to take laxatives to prevent constipation.
Difficulty thinking or working because of:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets affect you.
The above list includes the more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild.
Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any of the following:
- cough suppression
- unusual or extreme mood swings
- flushing of the face
- fast heart beat.
- The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare for low doses of this medicine and when used for a short period of time.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
If you believe Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets are not working well for you, do not increase the dose. Please see your pharmacist or doctor.
Some people may get other side effects not listed above.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor you notice anything else that making you feel unwell.
After taking Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the box or the blister pack, they will not keep well.
Keep Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Do not leave Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets in the car on hot days.
Do not store Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Keep Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets where young children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
This is not all the information that is available on Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets. If you have any more questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Product Description
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets come as white to off white capsule shaped uncoated tablets, plain on one side and break line on the other side.
It is available in packs of 20 and 40* tablets.
* Not all pack sizes may be marketed.
Active ingredients:
Each tablet contains:
Paracetamol 500 mg
Codeine Phosphate Hemihydrate 15 mg
Other ingredients:
Starch — Potato, Lactose, Povidone, Docusate Sodium, Silica ‐ colloidal anhydrous, Magnesium Stearate.
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets do not contain any gluten, sucrose, tartrazine or any azo dyes.
Name and Address of the sponsor
Amcal Strong Pain Relief Extra Tablets are supplied in Australia by:
Sigma Company Limited
3 Myer Place
Rowville VIC 3178
AUST R 208319
This leaflet was updated in June 2021.
Published by MIMS September 2021