Published 1 day ago • loading... • Updated 4 hours ago

Warning over looming 'shortage' of common paracetamol in the UK

In the UK, community pharmacies received a notice from the Department of Health and Social Care that co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets will be in short supply from February to July 2026, with pharmacists warned to prepare.
NHS guidance says alternative strengths and formulations cannot fully meet demand during the shortage, while The Pharmacist reported paracetamol 500mg remains available and co-codamol capsules arrive mid-April.
Co-Codamol is a combination painkiller containing paracetamol and codeine used for short-term moderate pain, and NHS guidance stresses avoiding abrupt cessation due to codeine's addiction risk.
The NHS advises prescribers not to start new patients on co-codamol and to review ongoing treatments, while existing patients on co-codamol should switch to paracetamol 500mg tablets despite harder access.
Supply timing indicates co-codamol 30mg/500mg effervescent tablets and other strengths/forms will remain available but cannot support additional demand, with alternatives arriving from early February to mid-April into mid-2026.

Insights by Ground AI