Whilst co-codamol is a common and readily available medication that people don’t consider dangerous, you should avoid drinking alcohol when taking it. Together, co-codamol and alcohol can increase sleepiness and other serious side effects.

Whether you are taking pain medication, have already mixed the substances, or are concerned about family members, it’s important to know the risks of the combination, what to do if you’ve mixed them and what support is available.

If your situation is urgent and the person you are with is suffering from breathing difficulties, has collapsed, or you can’t wake them up, call 999 immediately.

 

What Is Co-codamol?

Co-codamol is a combination of two painkillers, the opioid codeine and milder, more common, paracetamol.

Co-codamol can come in different forms. Lower-strength products can be bought over the counter, after speaking to a pharmacist. Higher-strength prescription medications are only available from your GP.

Even though you can purchase the lower-strength products at any pharmacy, that doesn’t mean they are safe to consume with alcohol, and they do come with risks.

 

Why Mixing Co-codamol and Alcohol Is Risky

Many risks come with mixing co-codamol and alcohol.

Increased Sedation

Co-codamol works on your central nervous system, slowing it down and reducing pain signals. This can make you feel a bit foggier and sleepy. Alcohol will only increase the sedative effects, worsening sedation, impairing alertness and coordination.

Breathing Issues

As co-codamol and alcohol act on your CNS, this affects your breathing. Too much CNS suppression can lead to your breathing becoming dangerously slow and stopping altogether, reducing the amount of oxygen that is reaching your brain.

Paracetamol and Liver Damage

Excessive amounts of paracetamol can lead to liver damage that will not seem obvious immediately. Alcohol disrupts liver function, so there is further strain on the organ as it struggles to process everything efficiently.

Some people may be at more risk than others. If you suffer from liver disease, heavy drinking or poor nutrition, you should get professional medical advice immediately. These risks do not come from a single drink but when alcohol is more regularly present in your body.

If you have any questions about co-codamol and its safety, speak to a pharmacist or your prescribing doctor.

 

Factors That Can Increase the Risk

Many factors can increase the dangers that come with combined codeine products and alcohol.

  • Other substances – Alongside alcohol, using opioids, sleeping tablets, benzodiazepines and other sedating medicines can increase the risk of central nervous system depression. You should check with a pharmacist about potential interactions.
  • Existing health conditions – If you suffer from breathing issues, increased depression can lead to serious issues like respiratory depression and low oxygen issues. Impaired liver function can mean that you don’t process the codeine and paracetamol, leading to a toxic build-up.
  • Duplicate paracetamol – Some cold remedies or other painkillers may contain paracetamol, leading you to accidentally take more than you mean, risking overdose or liver damage.

 

What to Do If You Have Already Mixed Them

If you have mixed them, you should avoid drinking alcohol anymore. To avoid putting yourself or anyone else at risk, avoid driving or operating any machinery.

It’s not a situation to panic, but you should speak to a pharmacist or call the NHS advice line at 111. Tell them about your symptoms and ask them about what you should do about your next co-codamol dose.

In the case that you have taken more than the recommended co-codamol dose, call 111 too. Even if you feel well, seek advice as liver damage can be delayed and symptoms may not be obvious immediately.

When speaking to a medical professional, be honest and thorough in the information you give. Ensure you mention the co-codamol product, how much you took, the timing, your alcohol intake and whether you have used other medicines so that they have the full picture.

In the case of an emergency and there are serious symptoms, call 999.

 

Emergency Warning Signs and First Aid

If symptoms such as slow or difficult breathing, unresponsiveness, collapse or seizures appear, call 999 immediately.

Stay with the person affected if it is safe to do so. Follow the call handler’s instructions for CPR if the person’s breathing is not normal. In the event that they are unconscious but breathing normally, get them in the recovery position and monitor their breathing for any changes.

What you shouldn’t do is get them to vomit, give food or drink, or leave someone to sleep it off. Call an ambulance and, when they arrive, give them the medicine packaging so they can accurately respond.

 

When Co-codamol or Alcohol Use Becomes a Concern

An alcohol or co-codamol addiction can develop without you meaning it to. Knowing the potential signs can mean you get help before the situation worsens.

Signs of co-codamol or alcohol addiction include:

  • Experiencing cravings
  • Taking or drinking more than intended
  • Trying to stop or cut down and being unsuccessful
  • Continuing to drink and/or use despite the damage it is doing

In some cases, you may become physically dependent on co-codamol without having an addiction. This means your body has adapted to the presence of the medication and you experience withdrawal symptoms when it is no longer present.

This doesn’t mean you have an addiction; you just have to taper yourself off it.

Talk to your GP and get an assessment. They’ll be able to decide if you have lost all control of your drug use or drinking and if you require supervised withdrawal. With an opioid or alcohol dependence, stopping abruptly can be dangerous, so you need a personalised withdrawal plan to ensure your safety.

 

Getting Support at Ocean Recovery Centre

Ocean Recovery provides support for those with both alcohol and codeine addictions. You’ll receive a personalised care plan that is formed after an assessment. The treatment you receive won’t happen in a vacuum and can work alongside GP and community support.

With the assessment, your treatment programme will include a medically supported withdrawal, therapies that will be most effective for you and an aftercare plan so you continue to receive support after leaving rehab.

Addiction treatment is needed to address both substances and ongoing pain needs. It is not a sensible or necessary option after a single accidental interaction.

 

Need Help With Co Codamol and Alcohol? Get Support Today

If you’re concerned about your ongoing co-codamol or alcohol use, you can talk to Ocean Recovery confidentially about our treatment options.

We offer treatment pathways for alcohol addiction and codeine dependence. Take the first step and get in touch with our team today to talk about how we can help you.

If you or someone you know has developed severe symptoms due to co-codamol and alcohol, call 999 now. If you have taken too much co-codamol, seek urgent medical advice immediately.

Ocean Recovery - Author - Last updated: October 21, 2026