$Unique_ID{BRK01831}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{ASPIRIN AND CODEINE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Empirin with Codeine (Burroughs Wellcome)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Empirin with Codeine*0183101.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


ASPIRIN AND CODEINE COMBINATION
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Empirin with Codeine (Burroughs Wellcome)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Analgesic combination
INGREDIENT:
     Saspirin and codeine
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (325 mg aspirin with 15 mg, 30 mg, or 60 mg of codeine)
     Note that on the label of the vial of tablets, the name of this drug is
       followed by a number.  This number refers to the amount of codeine: #2
       contains 1/4 grain (15 mg) codeine, #3 has 1/2 grain (30 mg) codeine,
       and #4 contains 1 grain (60 mg) codeine.
STORAGE:
     Aspirin and codeine combination tablets should be stored at room
       temperature in a tightly closed container.  Care should be taken to
       prevent moisture from entering the container, as it will cause the
       aspirin in this product to decompose.

USES

     This medication is used to relieve tension headaches and mild to severe
pain.  Codeine is a narcotic analgesic that acts on the central nervous system
to relieve pain.

TREATMENT

In order to avoid stomach upset, you can take this medication with food or
milk.
     This medication works most effectively if you take it at the onset of
pain, rather than waiting until the pain becomes intense.
     If you are taking this medication on a regular schedule and you miss a
dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for
your next dose.  In that case, don't take the missed dose at all; just return
to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, false sense of
well-being, flushing, indigestion, light-headedness, loss of appetite, nausea,
sweating, and vomiting.  These side effects should disappear as your body
adjusts to the medication.  If you are constipated, increase the amount of
fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain
breads), drink more water, and exercise (unless your doctor directs you to do
otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
from a sitting or lying position slowly, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
severe abdominal pain; bloody or black, tarry stools; chest tightness;
difficult or painful urination; difficulty in breathing; fatigue; itching;
palpitations; rash; ringing in the ears; tremors; or yellowing of the eyes or
skin.

INTERACTIONS

     This medication interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. Concurrent use of it with other central nervous system depressants
(such as alcohol, antihistamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers,
muscle relaxants, and phenothiazine tranquilizers) or with tricyclic
antidepressants can cause extreme drowsiness.
     2. The concurrent use of aspirin and codeine combination and monoamine
oxidase (MAO) inhibitors should be avoided.  At least 14 days should separate
the use of aspirin and codeine combination and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
     3. Alcohol and anti-inflammatory medication can increase the
gastrointestinal side effects of this medication.
     4. The side effects of anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin),
oral antidiabetic agents, phenytoin, and methotrexate may be increased by the
aspirin in this product.
     5. Large doses of antacids increase the elimination of the aspirin
portion of this medication from the body and decrease its effectiveness.
     6. Aspirin may decrease the antigout effects of probenecid and
sulfinpyrazone.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
medications, especially to aspirin, methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen),
diclofenac, diflunisal, flurbiprofen, fenoprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin,
ketoprofen, meclofenamate, mefenamic acid, naproxen, piroxicam, sulindac, and
tolmetin or to codeine or other narcotic analgesics (such as hydrocodone,
hydromorphone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and propoxyphene).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had abdominal
disease, Addison's disease, bleeding or blood disorders, brain disease,
colitis, epilepsy, gallstones or gallbladder disease, head injuries, heart
disease, hemophilia, kidney disease, liver disease, lung disease, peptic
ulcers, porphyria, enlarged prostate gland, or thyroid disease.
     * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous equipment.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
Aspirin-containing medication is usually discontinued five to seven days
before surgery, to prevent bleeding complications.
     * The use of aspirin in children (about 16 years of age or less) with the
flu or chicken pox has been associated with a rare, life-threatening condition
called Reye's syndrome.  Aspirin-containing products should, therefore, not be
given to children with signs of infection.
     * Because this drug contains codeine, it has the potential for abuse and
must be used with caution.  Usually, it should not be taken on a regular
schedule for longer than ten days at a time.  Tolerance develops quickly; do
not increase the dosage or stop taking the drug abruptly, unless you first
consult your doctor.  If you have been taking large amounts of this medication
for long periods, you may experience a withdrawal reaction (muscle aches,
diarrhea, gooseflesh, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, shivering, trembling,
stomach cramps, sleep disorders, irritability, weakness, excessive yawning, or
sweating).  Your doctor may, therefore, want to reduce the dosage gradually.
     * Because this product contains aspirin, additional medications that
contain aspirin should not be taken without your doctor's approval.  Check the
labels on over-the-counter (nonprescription) pain, sinus, allergy, asthma,
cough, and cold products to see if they contain aspirin.
     * Diabetic patients should be aware that large doses of aspirin (more
than eight 325-mg tablets per day) may interfere with urine sugar testing.
Diabetics should, therefore, check with their doctor before changing their
insulin dose.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  The effects of this
medication during pregnancy have not been thoroughly studied in humans.
Codeine, used regularly in large doses during pregnancy, may result in
addiction of the fetus, leading to withdrawal symptoms (irritability,
excessive crying, tremors, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing, or excessive
yawning) at birth.  Large amounts of aspirin taken close to the end of
pregnancy may prolong labor and cause bleeding problems in the mother and
heart problems in the newborn infant.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this medication may pass into
breast milk and cause excessive drowsiness in the nursing infant.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
