What is the difference between Zapain and Co-codamol?

Zapain and Co-codamol are both pain relief medications that contain a combination of codeine phosphate and paracetamol in the same ratio. These medicines are used for moderate pain relief for instances such as following minor surgeries or injuries.

Both Zapain and Co-codamol have the same effectiveness and same safety profile. The major difference between Co-codamol and Zapain is the price. Zapain is a branded medicine whereas Co-codamol is a generic version. 

You can buy Co-codamol from Meds For Less easily, conveniently and reliably for delivery to your home address within 24 hours. You can also browse our website for other pain medicines and general health treatment options. 

What Are Zapain and Co-codamol?

Zapain and Co-codamol are both pain relief medications that contain a combination of codeine phosphate and paracetamol. These medicines are used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain that cannot be handled by standard painkillers like Ibuprofen or Paracetamol alone (as seen in image 1 below).  

Image 1: Zapain or Co-codamol can be used for treating severe pain 

The difference between Zapain and Co-codamol is Zapain is the branded form of the medicine whereas Cocodamol is the generic name for the combination of Codeine and Paracetamol. 

Is Zapain the Same as Co-codamol?

Zapain and Co-codamol have the same active ingredients; codeine phosphate and paracetamol. The only difference between Zapain and Co-codamol are branding. 

Both medicines are used for moderate pain relief such as those after injuries or  minor surgeries. They come in different strengths such as:

• 8mg/500mg (Available Over the Counter and as Co-codamol only)
• 15mg/500mg (Available as prescription)
• 30mg/500mg (Available as prescription) 

Due to being a generic unbranded medicine, Co-codamol may be cheaper than Zapain. 

How Do Zapain and Co-codamol Work?

Both Zapain and Co-codamol contain two active ingredients:

• Paracetamol – 500mg in each tablet , a non opioid painkiller 
• Codeine Phosphate (8mg, 15mg or 30mg, depending on the dosage), an opioid painkiller

Both Zapain and Co-codamol work together to provide highly effective pain relief.

Paracetamol works by blocking pain and reducing fever, it reduces the production of prostaglandins (pain chemical signals) in the brain. They also work on the fever centre in the brain to lower body temperature. 

Codeine is an opioid which works by changing the way the brain perceives pain. Once codeine is consumed, the body converts it into morphine which acts on the brain and spinal cord to reduce the brain’s perception of pain.

When paracetamol and codeine phosphate are used in conjunction, both medicines enhance the pain relieving effects of each other. This allows for effective pain relief at lower doses of codeine (an opioid which can cause dependence at high doses). Using both paracetamol (which does not cause dependence) with lower doses of Codeine makes Zapain a good painkiller without the risk of dependance.  

Zapain vs. Co-codamol: Key Differences

Zapain and Co-codamol both contain the same key active ingredients, codeine phosphate and paracetamol. Their composition, corresponding dosage strengths and effectiveness of both medicines is the same. Some of the key differences between these medicines are the price (due to Zapain being branded) and Co-codamol being available as a 8mg/500mg dose whereas Zapain is only available as a 15/500 mg or 30/500mg dose. 

Ingredients and Composition

Zapain and Co-codamol have the same ingredients, they both contain a combination of codeine phosphate and paracetamol in varying doses (as indicated on the pack). The main difference is that Zapain is the branded version of the medication whereas Co-codamol is the generic version ( as seen in picture 2 below). 

Another difference is that Zapain is available only in the prescription 30/500mg strength whereas Co-codamol is available in the 8/500mg strength.

Image 2: Key difference between co codamol and zapain is that co-codamol is unbranded. 

Dosage Strengths

There are different strengths of Zapain and Co-codamol, usually classified by the amount of paracetamol or codeine in each tablet such as:

• 8/500 mg – (8mg codeine + 500mg paracetamol) — available over the counter 
• 15/500mg ( 15mg Codeine + 500 mg Paracetamol) – available as a prescription only 
• 30/500mg (30mg Codeine +500mg paracetamol) – available as prescription only

Prescription Requirements:

Zapain and Co-codamol both contain codeine phosphate + paracetamol but their prescription requirements differ slightly in the UK.

Zapain is a prescription only medicine (30mg codeine/500mg paracetamol) is a prescription only medicine. Co-codamol is available in different strengths, (8mg Codeine/500mg paracetamol) is available over the counter in pharmacies whereas the 15/500mg or 30/500mg concentrations are available only as prescription medicines. 

Cost and Availability

In the UK both Zapain and Co-codamol are prescription medicines used for pain relief. Their availability and costs depend on factors such as supply and pharmacy pricing. 

Generally both Zapain and Co-codamol are generally available across the UK. They are both available online at Meds For Less.com and you can order them to your home address for delivery within 24 hours. 

For a full overview of the different doses and costing of Zapain and Co-codamol, you can consult the individual webpages of each medicine. 

What Are the Side Effects of Zapain and Co-codamol?

Zapain and Co-codamol both have the same ingredients which means they can cause similar side effects. 

Common Side Effects

Both Zapain and Co-codamol contain codeine phosphate and paracetamol which can cause a range of side effects. While most people tolerate them well, some people may experience some mild to moderate side effects. 

Some common side effects include:

These are generally mild and improve with continued use:

• Drowsiness – feeling sleepy or fatigued
• Constipation – codeine can slow down digestion
• Nausea and vomiting – more common when starting medication
• Headaches – due to a change in body chemistry 
• Dry mouth – common effect of opioids 

Serious Side Effects to Watch Out For

Less common but more severe side effects:

These are side effects are more severe but rarer, if you experience these, seek medical attention immediately:

• Breathing difficulties – codeine can slow down breathing, especially at high doses
• Severe allergic reactions – signs include rashes, itching, swelling or difficulty breathing
• Liver damage – due to excess paracetamol intake
• Low blood pressure – due to dizziness and cause fainting
• Dependence and withdrawal symptoms – long term can cause withdrawal symptoms like restlessness, sweating and irritability when stopped 

Is Zapain Stronger Than Co-codamol?

Zapain is not stronger than Co-codamol as they contain the same active ingredients (codeine phosphate and paracetamol) in the same strengths so their effectiveness should be the same. The only difference is that Zapain is a branded version whereas Co-codamol is a generic version of the drug. 

Both medications come in different strengths such as:

• 8/500mg (8mg codeine +500mg paracetamol) – available over the counter
• 15/500mg (15mg codeine + 500mg paracetamol) – prescription only
• 30/500mg (30mg codeine + 500mg paracetamol) – prescription only

Zapain is not necessarily stronger or more effective than Co-codamol due to having the same active ingredients. However some people may find that Zapain works better for them, either because of personal preferences or due to inactive ingredients like fillers or coatings which can affect absorption or tolerability. 

If you find that Zapain works better for you, then please consult with your healthcare provider about your personal preference and they can help you by prescribing Zapain instead of Co-codamol. 

If you’re already taking Co-codamol and wondering whether Zapain can offer stronger relief, the answer is most probably no, but please consult your healthcare provider about this. 

When Should You Take Zapain or Co-codamol?

Both Zapain and Co-codamol are used to treat pain that does not respond to individual painkillers like Ibuprofen or Paracetamol alone. 

Pain Severity and Types of Pain Treated

You should consider taking Zapain or Co-codamol may used for moderate to severe pain. 

The types of Pain Zapain and Co-codamol are commonly used for are:

• Post surgical pain – operations or dental procedures
• Injury related pain – fractures, sprains or muscle injuries
• Back pain and sciatica – helps to relieve nerve and musculoskeletal pain
• Arthritis and joint pain for rheumatoid or osteoarthritis
• Migraine and headaches – occasionally used when standard painkillers fail 
• Sometimes used along stronger opioids for cancer related pains 

Dosage Guidelines

Both Zapain and Co-codamol contain a codeine phosphate and paracetamol combination. The dosage depends on the strength prescribed and the severity of pain 

The standard dosage of adults (16+ years) is one or two tablets every 4 to 6 hours as needed and a maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours. 

Common strengths and dosages:

Precautions to Consider

Some precautions and safety tips to consider include:

• Take Co-codamol with food to reduce nausea
• Leave at least 4 hours between doses
• Do not exceed more than 8 tablets a day
• Do not take more than 3 days without a doctor’s advice as there is a risk of dependence
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine as it can increase drowsiness and liver risks. 

Alternatives to Zapain and Co-codamol for Pain Relief

If you are finding that Zapain or Co-codamol are not suitable for you, there are several alternative pain relief options depending on the type of pain and severity. Some of these options include:

• Over the Counter (OTC) painkillers for mild to moderate pain such as:
  • Paracetamol – good for general pain and fever
  • Ibuprofen – reduces inflammation, especially in muscles, joints and injury related pain
  • Aspirin – similar to ibuprofen but not used in those younger than 16 or with stomach issues 
• Prescription painkillers for moderate to severe pain such as:
  • Tramadol – a stronger opioid than codeine but with a lower risk of addiction
  • Dihydrocodiene – similar to codeine but slightly stronger 
  • Morphine or Oxycodone – stronger opioids for severe or chronic pain
• Non opioid prescription medicines for specific types of pain 
  • Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline – used for nerve pains, migraines or fibromyalgia
  • Gabapentin or pregabalin – effective for nerve pain (such as sciatica or diabetic neuropathy)
  • Duloxetine for chronic pain and nerve related pain 
  • Prescription Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as Naproxen or Diclofenac 

The alternative you may use for dealing with pain can depend on factors like the severity of pain, type of pain and cause of pain. 

For the right pain relief option for you, please consult your healthcare provider about your pain and what options you can consider.