Codeine and Aspirin, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: analgesic (painkiller)

Generic and brand names: codeine and aspirin, oral; Empirin with Codeine

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is a combination product used to relieve pain.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Tell your health care provider about all medicines (including nonprescription products) you are taking, to avoid an overdose of narcotics or aspirin.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

How do I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. Take it only for the condition for which it was prescribed. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed. Taking too much of this medicine may be habit-forming or lead to an overdose.

You may need to take this medicine for a long time. If you need to take this medicine for a few days, do not stop taking it suddenly. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine because the effects of alcohol are increased by this medicine and can be dangerous. Also, do not take antihistamines, antianxiety medicines, or sedatives without your health care provider's approval.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

Important notice: Taking an overdose of this medicine can cause serious problems. If you think you have taken an overdose, get medical care right away.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Black tarry stools, bloody or dark urine, ringing in your ears, hallucinations, rash, trembling, trouble breathing, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, severe diarrhea, pounding heartbeat, yellowish eyes or skin.

Other: Stomach upset, dizziness, drowsiness.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam (Serax)
• antipsychotic medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil, Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), haloperidol (Haldol), clozapine (Clozaril), and olanzapine (Zyprexa)
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• general anesthetics during surgery (check with your health care provider)
• MAO inhibitor antidepressants such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and isocarboxazid (Marplan) ( Do not take an MAO inhibitor and this medicine within 14 days of each other.)
• other central nervous system depressants such as sedatives and antihistamines (check with your health care provider)
• other narcotic analgesics (check with your health care provider)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.