Pain relief

Question 1

Codeine safety information

Answer 1

Co-prescribing with benzodiazepine –> respiratory depression

Dependence and addiction if >3m use for non-malignant pain (taper down by 10% every 1-2 weeks)

Breastfeeding

Children <12yrs

Post-op tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy in children with OSA

Children with breathing issues

Question 2

Codeine doses

Answer 2

15mg
30mg
60mg

Question 3

Codeine prescription for mild-moderate pain

Answer 3

30-60mg every 4 hours orally
Max 240mg daily

Question 4

Paracetamol prescription

Answer 4

0.5g-1g every 4-6 hours orally
Maximum 4g per day

Remember <50kg

Question 5

Paracetamol IV infusion prescription

Answer 5

> 50kg: 1g every 4-6hrs over 15 minutes
Max 3g per day

<50kg: 15mg/kg every 4-6hrs over 15mins
Max 60mg/kg per day

Question 6

Ibuprofen mild-moderate pain

Answer 6

300mg-400mg 3-4 times a day (ie every 6-8hrs)
Max 600mg QDS
Maintenance: 200-400mg TDS

Question 7

NSAIDs c/i

Answer 7

Nephrotoxicity
Systolic dysfunction (ie HF)
Asthma
Indigestion
Dyscrasia (abnormal clotting)

Question 8

Co-codamol strengths

Answer 8

8/500mg
15/500mg
30/500mg

Question 9

Co-codamol severe pain prescription

Answer 9

30mg/500mg to take 2 tablets every 6 hours orally
Max (240mg/4000mg)