Nurofen Plus (Ibuprofen & Codeine) Side effects?

Question

I have been taking Nurofen Plus (Ibuprofen & Codeine) for a toothache while I wait 4 days for a dentist appointment. These are the only pain killers that work for toothache.

I have noticed that soon after taking them I develop a mild throbbing headache on the top right hand side of my head. I also feel a little dizzy and light headed.

Should I be concerned?

Answer 1

dizziness and light headedness probably come from the codeine in the medication it is known to give you that loopy feeling, the headache is probably coming from your body not being use to having that type of medication in your system, maybe the dose is to strong for you. Try taking a smaller dose of it and see if that still works without giving you the same symptoms, if it does maybe you should look for another pain reliever until your doctors appointment, but what you are describing is pretty common, with most of the stronger pain relievers. Anything with Ibuprofen in it is the best because it helps with inflammation.

Answer 2

First I must admit a bias, I have been fighting to reduce the use of codeine for 15 years.Codeine is very addictive. It is an opiate like heroin. I chose many years ago not to prescribe this drug, mainly because of its addictive potential.

It is however prescribed and purchased in gigantic quantities in UK, especially in the West of Scotland where I practise,

I believe there is little excuse for its use since it is only 5% more potent than simple paracetamol plus or minus ibuprofen and loose the codeine neither of these is addictive.

Although codeine is included in many pain killers recommended for headache one of its side effects is headache.

Answer 3

codeine and ibuprofen are the best headache pain killers. u might experience dizziness thou from codeine cos it is also a narcotic drug, that's why the medicine is prescriptional. well, maybe u have to check your blood pressure - codeine enlarges blood vessels so if u have low blood pressure it will lower it more. and by the way just ibuprofen helps agains toothache just fine, but larger doze

Answer 4

The light headed feeling & dizziness may be from the tablets, sometimes when people take strong pain killers they can experience a 'zoned' out feeling.
You must take them on a full stomach because ibuprofen can upset your tum & cause excess acid production
The headache? I dont know. If you feel uncomfortable dont take them. Try gargling with dissolved aspirin instead (& then swallow) & try diflam mouthwash which may help too.

Answer 5

Poor you other than back pain nothing is worse than tooth pain. It could be that it is the tooth it's self that is causing the symptoms you describe especially if the tooth is full of poison. However, to be on the safe side phone up the chemist and ask for advice.

Hope all goes well at the dentist. You will probably be prescribed antibiotics or penicillin to clear up any infection or poison in the tooth.

Answer 6

Forget clove oil and taking loads of painkillers. Go to the chemist and get yourself ORAGEL. Its a local anaesthetic specially for toothache and it works like a miracle. You may want to take a couple of painkillers at bedtime but honestly - this stuff works. Its about £4 a tube but worked for me when I had 2 abscesses at the same time. xxxx

Answer 7

codeine can cause headaches and ibuprofen can be bad for asthmatics.

for your toothache try a disolvable paracetamol. hold it in your mouth around the painful tooth. good luck

Answer 8

codiene is bad stuff, the yanks banned it years ago.

WHISKY works like a dream. Take a sip of whisky and swill it round the painful tooth. Ibuprofen is inappropriate for toothache.

Answer 9

The packet comes with a list of possible side effects. If it's listed, try a different painkiller. If it's not, then it's unrelated.

Answer 10

# Regular use of codeine for long periods of time may result in symptoms such as restlessness and irritability when you stop taking the medicine.