The Department of Health and Social Care has issued a medicines supply notification for co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets, which are in limited supply from February 2026 until early June 2026.

Alternative formulations and strengths are available but cannot fully support increased demand.

Actions for prescribers

• Do not initiate new patients on co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets until the supply issues have resolved.
• Where insufficient supply to last until the re-supply date, prescribers should determine if treatment is still required, and if the decision is made to stop treatment, avoid abrupt cessation of therapy.
• Where pain control is still required, prescribers should establish:
  • if the minimum dose of co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets is to maintain pain control
  •  if the codeine component is still required and
  •  appropriateness of switching to separate components (paracetamol 500mg and codeine 30mg tablets) and consideration of the increase in tablet load (if applicable)
• Where the above options are not considered appropriate, consider switching patients to an alternative analgesic preparation.
• Where the above options are not appropriate and the patient requires a co-codamol 30mg/500mg combination product, consider reserving co-codamol 30mg/500mg capsules for these patients ensuring the gelatin content is acceptable and there is not an intolerance to any of the excipients.
• Ensure the patient is counselled on any changes in dosing and formulation.

Primary care prescribers are encouraged to liaise with their local community pharmacies, as required, with regards to product availability and stock levels.

For detailed information, clinicians should refer to the Specialist Pharmacy Service Medicines Shortage Tool MSN 2026/001 for full supporting information. 

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