*Welcome to the OutUK series looking at gay men and their health brought to you in association with the NHS* website.**
	Each week we'll tackle a different topic in our A to Z of Gay Health. We'll have features and advice on everything from relationships, sexual health, mental and physical conditions and how to stay fit. You can follow any of links provided below for more information direct from the NHS website, or see this week's feature M: MRSA.

Taking Codeine With Other Medicines And Herbal Supplements

NHS medicines information on possible interactions with codeine and other medicines, herbal remedies and supplements.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way codeine works, and increase the chances of you having side effects.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any medicines:

to help you sleep
for depression - some types cannot be taken with codeine
for high blood pressure
to help stop you feeling or being sick
to treat symptoms of an allergy
to reduce tension or anxiety
for mental health problems

Taking codeine with other painkillers

It's safe to take codeine with paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin (aspirin is suitable for most people aged 16 and over).

Some painkillers that you can buy without a prescription from pharmacies contain codeine. They include co-codamol, ibuprofen and codeine (such as Nurofen Plus) and Solpadeine.

If you are taking prescribed codeine, do not take painkillers that contain codeine that you have bought from a pharmacy at the same time. You'll be more likely to get side effects.

Mixing codeine with herbal remedies and supplements

It is not possible to say that herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with codeine. They are not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines, and are generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.

OutUK's A to Z of Gay Health continues and you can read this week's feature M: MRSA. We have covered many subjects in this series and you can catch up with all of our Previous A to Z Features. If you want to find out more about this particular topic you can visit the Original article on the NHS website. If you are worried by any aspect of your health make sure you go and see your doctor or book an appointment at your local clinic.
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