1. Why am I taking Panadeine Forte?

Panadeine Forte contains the active ingredients paracetamol and codeine phosphate hemihydrate. Panadeine Forte is used to relieve severe pain. For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using Panadeine Forte? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I take Panadeine Forte?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Panadeine Forte or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.

You may develop addiction, dependence and tolerance.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use Panadeine Forte? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with Panadeine Forte and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I take Panadeine Forte?

The standard dose for adults is 1 or 2 tablets for severe pain, taken every 4 to 6 hours if necessary. More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I use Panadeine Forte? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while taking Panadeine Forte?

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using Panadeine Forte? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately if you notice any of the following side effects 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. They may be the signs of an allergic reaction.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you: nausea or vomiting; constipation; drowsiness or dizziness. These are more common side effects of your medicine. They are usually mild.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

Panadeine Forte^®

Active ingredient(s): paracetamol and codeine phosphate hemihydrate

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using Panadeine Forte. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using Panadeine Forte.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using Panadeine Forte?

Panadeine Forte contains the active ingredients paracetamol and codeine phosphate hemihydrate. Paracetamol and codeine work together to stop the pain messages from getting through to the brain. Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another use.

Panadeine Forte is used to relieve severe pain for which other treatment options have failed, are contraindicated, not tolerated or are otherwise inappropriate to provide sufficient management of pain.

2. What should I know before I use Panadeine Forte?

Warnings

Do not use Panadeine Forte if:

• you are allergic to paracetamol or codeine phosphate hemihydrate, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.

• you have acute breathing difficulties such as bronchitis, unstable asthma or emphysema
• you have Glucose-6-phosphatedehydrogenase deficiency (an enzyme deficiency)
• you are a CYP 2D6 ultra-rapid metaboliser (a fast metaboliser of codeine by the CYP 2D6 enzyme)
• you have diarrhoea caused by antibiotics or poisoning
• you have liver failure.

Do not take Panadeine Forte if you have a history of drug dependence, including alcohol dependence.

Do not take Panadeine Forte if you have experienced systemic allergy (generalised rash or shortness of breath) to morphine or oxycodone.

Do not take Panadeine Forte if you have a history of intolerance to paracetamol and/or codeine.

Do not take Panadeine Forte if you are under 18 years of age and have had your tonsils or adenoids removed to treat sleep apnoea.

Do not take Panadeine Forte during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Do not take Panadeine Forte during labour especially if the baby is premature.

Do not use Panadeine Forte if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

Do not take this medicine 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 take this medicine if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Do not use this medicine to treat any other complaint unless your doctor says it is safe.

Panadeine Forte is not recommended for children under 12 years.

Check with your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

• lung, heart, liver or kidney problems
• low blood pressure
• difficulty breathing, wheezing, chronic cough, asthma, or other chronic breathing conditions
• a history of drug dependence, including alcohol dependence
• you drink large quantities of alcohol
• recent cessation of alcohol intake
• low glutathione reserves
• Gilbert's syndrome
• gall bladder problems or your gall bladder has been removed
• multiple sclerosis
• recent stomach, intestine or urinary tract surgery
• irritable bowel syndrome or other bowel problems
• prostate problems
• under active thyroid gland or problems with your adrenal glands
• fits or seizures
• head injury
• brain tumours.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.

Do not take Panadeine Forte during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Do not take Panadeine Forte during labour, especially if the baby is premature.

This medicine can cause breathing problems and may produce withdrawal effects in the newborn baby.

Do not take Panadeine Forte if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.

The medicine passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.

Addiction

You can become addicted to Panadeine Forte even if you take it exactly as prescribed. Panadeine Forte may become habit forming causing mental and physical dependence. If abused it may become less able to reduce pain.

Dependence

As with all other opioid containing products, your body may become used to you taking Panadeine Forte. Taking it may result in physical dependence. Physical dependence means that you may experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking Panadeine Forte suddenly, so it is important to take it exactly as directed by your doctor.

Tolerance

Tolerance to Panadeine Forte may develop, which means that the effect of the medicine may decrease. If this happens, more may be needed to maintain the same effect.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines may interfere with Panadeine Forte and affect how it works.

These include:

• any medicine causing sleepiness or drowsiness
• tranquillisers (medicines for anxiety and nerves)
• benzodiazepines (medicines used as sedatives or to treat anxiety)
• medicines used to treat alcohol and/or opioid dependence (e.g. naltrexone, buprenorphine or methadone)
• medicines containing alcohol (ethanol), e.g. some cough syrups)
• cough suppressants or antitussives
• antihistamines (medicines used to treat allergies)
• medicines used to treat depression)
• medicines used to treat mental illness
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (medicines used to treat depression) taken within the last 10 days
• salicylates or non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as aspirin or ibuprofen
• medicines which thin the blood
• medicines to treat epilepsy
• other pain relief medication
• medicines used to treat high blood pressure
• medicines used to relax muscles
• medicines used to treat diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting
• propantheline, a drug used to treat stomach ulcers
• cholestyramine (medicine used to treat bile problems and/or high cholesterol
• chelating resin
• chloramphenicol (antibiotic used to treat ear and eye infections)
• flucloxacillin, zidovudine or rifampicin (medicines used to treat infections)
• medicines used to control electrolytes levels in kidney disease

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect Panadeine Forte.

4. How do I take Panadeine Forte?

How much to take

• The recommended dose of Panadeine Forte is:
  Adults: 1 or 2 tablets for severe pain. This dosage may be repeated in 4-6 hours if necessary.
• Follow the instructions provided.
• Do not take more than 8 tablets in 24 hours.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose.

Taking more than the recommended dose may cause liver damage.

The directions given to you by your doctor or pharmacist may be different from the information in this leaflet. If you are unsure what dose to take ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Talk to your doctor about pain control if the medicine is not helping.

Depending on your body’s individual ability to break down codeine, you may be getting reduced benefit or experience signs of overdose even when you take Panadeine Forte as recommended by your doctor. If overdose symptoms occur, seek immediate medical advice.

How to take Panadeine Forte

• Swallow the tablets with water.

How long to take it for

• Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure how long to take the medicine for.

If you forget to take Panadeine Forte

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 you missed.

This may increase the chance of you getting an unwanted side effect.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much Panadeine Forte

If you or someone else receive too much (overdose), and experience one or more of the symptoms below, immediately call triple zero (000) for an ambulance. Keep the person awake by talking to them or gently shaking them every now and then. You should follow the above steps even if someone other than you have accidentally used Panadeine Forte that was prescribed for you. If someone takes an overdose they may experience one or more of the following symptoms:

• Slow, unusual or difficult breathing
• Drowsiness, dizziness or unconsciousness
• Slow or weak heartbeat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Convulsions or fits

If you think that you or someone else have used too much Panadeine Forte, you may need urgent medical attention.

You should immediately:

• phone the Poisons Information Centre
  (by calling 13 11 26), or
• contact your doctor, or
• go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

When seeking medical attention, take this leaflet and remaining medicine with you to show the doctor. Also tell them about any other medicines or alcohol which have been taken.

5. What should I know while taking Panadeine Forte?

Things you should do

Take Panadeine Forte exactly as your doctor has prescribed.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Panadeine Forte.

Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using Panadeine Forte.

If your pain gets worse after you take this medicine do not take more without first talking to your doctor.

Talk to your doctor, if the pain that you have increases, if you feel more sensitive to pain, or if you have new pain after taking this medicine.

Things you should not do

• Do not take more than the recommended dose unless your doctor tells you to.

Adults should not take more than 8 tablets a day.

• Do not take high doses of the medicine for long periods of time unless your doctor tells you to.

Taking more than the recommended dose can cause liver damage.

Panadeine Forte may be habit forming if taken in high doses for extended periods of time.

• Do not give this medicine to anyone else.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Panadeine Forte affects you.

Panadeine Forte may cause dizziness, light-headedness, drowsiness and problems with vision in some people, especially after the first dose.

Children should not ride bikes if affected and should be supervised to avoid potential harm.

Drinking alcohol

Do not drink alcohol while taking Panadeine Forte.

Drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of becoming drowsy.

Withdrawal

Continue taking your medicine for as long as your doctor tells you. If you stop having this medicine suddenly, your pain may worsen and you may experience some or all of the following withdrawal symptoms:

• nervousness, restlessness, agitation, trouble sleeping or anxiety
• body aches, weakness or stomach cramps
• loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea
• increased heart rate, breathing rate or pupil size
• watery eyes, runny nose, chills or yawning
• increased sweating

Looking after your medicine

• Store below 25°C.

Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.

Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:

• in the bathroom or near a sink, or
• in the car or on window sills.

Keep it 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.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Serious side effects

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What Panadeine Forte contains

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What Panadeine Forte looks like

Panadeine Forte is a white to off-white capsule-shaped tablet, marked “P” and “F” either side of a score line on one side and plain on the other (AUST R 73507).

It comes in boxes of 20 or 50 tablets.

Who distributes Panadeine Forte

Distributed by:
sanofi-aventis australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Freecall: 1800 818 806
Email: medinfo.australia@sanofi.com

This leaflet was prepared in August 2024.

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