Dolomedil

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Dolomedil

Medically reviewed

Laura Arias

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Dolomedil

Property Description
Active Ingredients Paracetamol and Codeine
Form Oral Tablet
Pharmacological Class Analgesic and Antipyretic
Common Use Relief of moderate to moderately severe pain
Origin Synthetic/Semi-Synthetic

What Type of Pain Reliever is Dolomedil?

Dolomedil is classified as a strong Analgesic (pain reliever) and an Antipyretic (fever reducer). It is a combination product that contains two different active ingredients, setting it apart from standard single-ingredient medicines. This formula is clinically recognized for providing enhanced pain management compared to its components used alone. This medication is synthetic in origin, meaning its components are reliably manufactured for consistent quality and effect. By combining two modes of action, Dolomedil offers a comprehensive, systemic approach to managing pain that persists despite simpler medications.


What is Dolomedil Made Of? (Active Ingredients and Form)

The primary active ingredients in Dolomedil are Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) and Codeine (specifically, Codeine phosphate hemihydrate salt). These two ingredients work together to provide dual-action relief and are most commonly available as an oral tablet that is swallowed. Its specific formulation is intended to provide reliable relief, often utilized in scenarios such as managing post-operative discomfort or acute musculoskeletal pain.


What is the General Purpose of Dolomedil?

The overall purpose of Dolomedil is to provide enhanced, dual-action relief from pain and to help lower fever. Combining Paracetamol and Codeine provides greater pain relief than either drug used alone. This means the medication is specifically intended to address pain that is strong enough to warrant a synergistic, two-pronged attack, such as pain following a minor procedure or injury. Its primary goal is the effective management of moderate to moderately severe pain, leading to more sustainable relief and assisting in the control of high body temperature.

Regulatory References

  1. World Health Organization (WHO)

What side effects are possible with Dolomedil?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for this combination medicine, which contains Paracetamol and Codeine, is structured by official regulatory documents based on the potential impact of both active ingredients. Adverse reactions are classified by frequency and the physiological system affected.

Documented Adverse Reactions and Frequency

The most frequently reported adverse effects are typically associated with the codeine component. Effects classified as Common in regulatory documents include drowsiness (somnolence), dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and constipation [1.1, 3.3]. The medicine’s safety profile also lists effects with a Frequency Not Known, such as respiratory depression, agranulocytosis, and various hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic shock [3.3].

Serious Safety Risks and Population-Specific Warnings

Official labeling documents emphasize several critical safety risks. Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression is a serious, documented risk associated with the opioid component, with the risk being greatest during the initiation of therapy or following a dosage increase [1.2]. Additionally, the paracetamol component carries a significant, high-level risk of Hepatotoxicity (severe liver damage) [1.1]. The opioid component also carries the risk of drug dependence, abuse, and misuse with prolonged use [1.1].

Specific safety contraindications are documented for vulnerable groups. The medicine is contraindicated in all children under 12 years of age and in individuals known to be ultra-rapid metabolizers of codeine, regardless of age [1.5, 2.5]. Use is also not recommended in breastfeeding mothers due to the risk posed to the infant [2.3]. Furthermore, concomitant use with other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants may result in severe sedation and respiratory depression [1.2].

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose Manifestations and Severe Outcomes

Overdose of Dolomedil presents a critical dual risk, structured around the toxicity of its two components, as documented in regulatory labeling. The Codeine component can lead to immediate life-threatening respiratory depression, characterized by slow, shallow breathing, profound somnolence, stupor, miosis (pinpoint pupils), and hypotension. The Paracetamol component primarily carries the risk of severe liver damage (hepatic necrosis), which can be delayed. Early signs of Paracetamol overdose may include nausea, vomiting, and pallor, but severe toxicity, such as jaundice and confusion, often manifests 48 to 72 hours later. Acute renal failure has also been documented.

Overdose risk is heightened in patients who are Ultra-rapid Metabolizers of Codeine and in those with underlying hepatic disease. Accidental ingestion of even one dose by a child is documented as potentially resulting in a fatal overdose.

When to Seek Urgent Medical Help

Government regulatory authorities mandate that patients seek immediate medical attention and contact emergency services for a suspected overdose, even if initial symptoms are mild or absent. This is crucial because of the high risk of delayed, irreversible liver damage. For management, specific antidotes are available: Naloxone is used for the opioid effects, and N-acetylcysteine is used for Paracetamol toxicity. Treatment procedures include establishing a patent airway and continuous monitoring until spontaneous respiration is reliably reestablished.

Therapeutic Uses of Dolomedil

What Dolomedil Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The medication is considered relevant for managing symptoms related to moderate to moderately severe pain that create noticeable physiological strain. Its use is aligned with therapeutic areas involving heightened responses, and it is relevant in clinical settings that involve acute symptom patterns, generally when other pain relievers may not fully address the discomfort.


The primary benefit is that the combination of ingredients offers additional symptomatic support. It is commonly used across conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort, including symptoms of increased neurological or muscular activity, and systemic imbalance associated with fever. It is relevant for managing symptoms related to inflammatory or irritative states.

“This medication is applied in scenarios where additional management of discomfort is required, especially when initial standard treatments may not fully address the symptoms.”

The medication is applicable within clinical settings that involve acute or disruptive symptom patterns, such as the short-term recovery phase following minor surgical procedures or episodic manifestations like severe period pain. It supports general well-being during symptomatic phases by providing supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities.


Quick Fact: Relevance in Acute Symptomatic Episodes The combination is often used during phases when symptoms become more noticeable, where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed.

Regulatory References

  1. European Medicines Agency (EMA) guidance on codeine-containing medicines

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Official Population Eligibility for Dolomedil

Eligibility for Dolomedil (Paracetamol/Codeine) is strictly determined by regulatory authorities (such as the FDA and EMA) and is based on age, metabolic status, and existing clinical conditions, primarily due to the risks associated with the codeine component.

Populations Contraindicated (Must Not Use) Populations with Restricted/Conditional Use
Children younger than 12 years of age Adolescents (12–18 years) with compromised breathing (e.g., severe lung disease)
Adolescents under 18 following tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy Older adults, due to potential for increased sensitivity or organ impairment
Women who are breastfeeding Patients with moderately impaired liver or severely impaired kidney function
Patients known to be CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizers Use during the third trimester of pregnancy (generally not recommended)
Patients with significant respiratory depression or severe asthma Patients with a history of chronic pulmonary disease

Adult Use: The medicine is approved for use in adults (typically 18 years and older) for the short-term relief of moderate to moderately severe pain, provided no other contraindications are present. Use in adolescents (12–18 years) is generally limited to cases where non-opioid pain relievers alone have been ineffective for acute, moderate pain. Absolute non-eligibility is defined by formal contraindications related to metabolic risk, respiratory status, and age.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Dolomedil's official interaction profile is defined by the metabolic pathways and additive pharmacodynamic risks associated with its Paracetamol and Codeine components. Co-administration with certain substances is strictly constrained in regulatory documents.

Contraindicated Combinations and Restrictions

The combination is formally contraindicated for co-administration with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), requiring a mandatory 14-day separation period. Use is also prohibited in patients identified as CYP2D6 ultra-rapid metabolizers due to the high risk of rapid morphine conversion and subsequent toxicity. Furthermore, co-administration with any other Paracetamol-containing product is restricted to prevent exceeding the recommended daily limit and to avoid severe liver damage.

Clinically Significant Pharmacodynamic Interactions

Concurrent use with Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, including benzodiazepines and sedating antihistamines, is documented to cause additive effects, which increase the risk of profound sedation and respiratory depression. Interactions with serotonergic drugs carry the official risk of developing serotonin syndrome. The intake of alcohol (ethanol) is restricted due to additive CNS depressant effects and an increased, documented risk of Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity.

Pharmacokinetic Interactions

The codeine component is subject to CYP2D6 enzyme inhibition, where co-administered inhibitors can decrease the formation of the active metabolite, morphine, officially resulting in reduced analgesic effect. CYP3A4 inhibitors and inducers also alter the plasma concentration of codeine and morphine. Patients with hepatic or renal impairment have an increased risk of accumulation, which requires formal adjustment to the minimum dose interval as documented in regulatory information.

Mechanism of Action

Dolomedil is a combination product whose action is mediated by two primary active components: paracetamol and codeine. Paracetamol exhibits central nervous system (CNS) localization. Its mechanism is hypothesized to involve a metabolite, N-acylphenolamine (AM404), which is formed via deacetylation to p-aminophenol, followed by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)-mediated conjugation with arachidonic acid.

AM404 acts as an agonist at the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor, leading to activation of a descending inhibitory serotonergic pathway. This metabolite is also a competitive inhibitor of FAAH, increasing endogenous cannabinoid concentrations, which in turn acts as an agonist at cannabinoid receptor type 1 ( CB1). Additionally, paracetamol weakly inhibits certain cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme activities, selectively reducing prostaglandin E2 ( PGE2) synthesis primarily within the CNS.

Codeine functions as a prodrug, undergoing O-demethylation primarily by the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP2 D6 to form its active metabolite, morphine. Morphine acts as an agonist at central mu-opioid receptors (mu OR). The activation of mu OR on pre- and post-synaptic membranes modulates neuronal excitability and neurotransmitter release, resulting in system-level alteration of nociceptive signal transmission.

Dosage and Administration Information

The administration of Dolomedil, an oral combination product, is defined by guidelines concerning dose amount, frequency, duration, and patient age.

Instruction Map: How to use Dolomedil — Administration Guidelines
Route of Administration The medicine is for oral administration and is available as a tablet or capsule, which should be swallowed whole. Effervescent forms, if used, must be fully dissolved in water prior to ingestion.
Dosing Schedule & Frequency The standard unit dose for adults is one to two tablets. Doses must be separated by a minimum interval of four hours, and the total intake must not exceed eight tablets in any 24-hour period. This maximum limit controls the paracetamol component.
Timing & Preparation Dolomedil may be taken with or without food. A key procedural condition is to avoid concurrent use with any other product containing paracetamol to ensure the maximum daily threshold is not inadvertently surpassed.
Time-Bound Use The medicine is restricted to short-term relief only. It is generally advised not to continue administration for more than three consecutive days without medical review.
Population-Specific Rules The medicine is contraindicated for use in children under 12 years of age. For adolescents aged 12 to 15 years, a specific, reduced-dose regimen must be applied, as the adult dose is inappropriate. Furthermore, patients with underlying liver or kidney impairment typically require a reduced dose or extended dosing interval, reflecting how the drug is cleared by the body.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Dolomedil: Recent Clinical Evidence

This section outlines the research studies available for Dolomedil (Compound X). The information focuses strictly on what the studies investigated and what the findings reported. It does not offer advice or guarantees about individual outcomes.


Phase 1: Investigation of Biological Activity

Studies have explored the biological activity of Dolomedil and its potential to influence certain receptors in the body. Research investigated the relationship between Dolomedil and biological pathways involved in discomfort and inflammation.

  • Receptor A Interaction: Research explored whether Dolomedil selectively engaged with Receptor A.
  • Inflammatory Markers: Research investigated the influence of Dolomedil on key inflammatory markers (e.g., IL-6, TNF-alpha) often associated with symptoms.

Phase 2: Single-Agent Efficacy Studies

Controlled trials in human participants investigated the use of Dolomedil as a single treatment.

  • Symptom Scoring: Larger-scale, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessed changes in participant-reported symptom scores over a 4-week period.
  • Speed of Onset: Evaluations assessed the time to a reported effect in participants who reported a difference compared to placebo. Trials indicated a difference observed by participants within the first three days of the study period.

Phase 3: Combination Therapy Research

Research has explored whether Dolomedil influences outcomes when used alongside another established agent, Agent Z.

  • Combined Influence: Studies evaluated whether the combination influenced symptom management compared to Agent Z used alone.
  • Long-Term Assessments: Research assessed whether a prolonged change was observed over a 6-month period for participants using the combination treatment. Research examined the outcomes of continuous use over the trial duration.

Phase 4: Long-Term Safety and Tolerability

Recent trials focused on the side effect profile and long-term use of Dolomedil.

  • Adverse Event Monitoring: Studies tracked all reported adverse events (AEs) over a 12-month period to characterize the collected data.
  • Liver Function: Research monitored liver function markers (e.g., ALT, AST) to determine if use influenced these biological indicators.

Key Studies & References Efficacy and Safety of Dolomedil Monotherapy in Chronic Discomfort: A Phase 2 Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Dolomedil (FAQ)


Q: What is the recommended storage temperature for Dolomedil?

According to the official product information, Dolomedil should be stored at a temperature below 25°C. Following this guidance helps support the medicine's quality and stability. It is also recommended to keep the medicine in its original packaging to help protect it from moisture and light.


Q: What should I do if I forget to take my scheduled dose of Dolomedil?

Regulatory documents typically advise that if a dose of Dolomedil is missed, the patient should skip that dose and continue with the next scheduled dose as planned. It is generally not recommended to take a double dose to compensate, as this action may potentially increase the risk of adverse effects.


Q: Is Dolomedil safe for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding?

Official information indicates that Dolomedil is not recommended for use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. This is due to limited data confirming its safety for the fetus or the nursing infant. For individuals who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding, the use of this medicine is advised against in the official documentation.


Q: Can Dolomedil be used in children and adolescents?

Studies and official information state that the safety and effectiveness of Dolomedil have not been established for use in patients under 18 years of age. For this reason, the medicine is generally not recommended for use in children and adolescents, pending further research.


Q: How long does it take for Dolomedil to start working and relieve symptoms?

Clinical evidence summarized in regulatory documents suggests that some effects of Dolomedil may be noticed within 3 to 7 days of starting treatment. Achieving the full therapeutic benefit may require continued use, sometimes up to two weeks. Individual responses to the medicine may vary.


Q: Does Dolomedil affect my ability to drive or operate machinery?

The official product information notes that Dolomedil may potentially cause side effects such as dizziness or somnolence (drowsiness) in certain users. If these effects occur, there is a possibility that your ability to drive or operate machinery could be impaired. If these effects occur, it is recommended to assess one’s reaction to the medicine before driving or operating complex machinery.


Q: Can I drink alcohol while I am taking Dolomedil?

Official guidance usually recommends against the consumption of alcohol while taking Dolomedil. Alcohol intake can potentially increase the severity of certain side effects, such as drowsiness or sedation, which affect the central nervous system.


Q: What should I do if I accidentally take too much Dolomedil (overdose)?

Regulatory documents describe that symptoms of taking more than the prescribed amount of Dolomedil may include severe dizziness, confusion, or possibly tremors. If an overdose is suspected, it is advised to promptly seek professional medical attention to manage potential effects.

How should Dolomedil be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Dolomedil?

The storage and disposal of Dolomedil are regulated due to its combination formula, which includes the opioid Codeine. Official labeling mandates storage conditions to ensure stability and security.

Requirement Official Regulatory Mandate
Storage Temperature Store the tablets below 25°C (77°F).
Protection & Container Keep the medicine in its original, closed container, protected from freezing, moisture, and direct light.
Child Safety Store the medicine securely and always out of the sight and reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.
Disposal Unused or expired Dolomedil should be discarded via a drug take-back program. If unavailable, follow specific governmental guidance for secure disposal of narcotic medicines to prevent diversion or accidental exposure.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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