Is this true?

[Krissy93]

Hi
I am just wondering i get severe migraines and i take tablets pain reliever tablets called Panafen plus,  these tablets contain codeine in then but i have heard that if you take codeine over a period of time it can make you go deaf in the future is this true?

Thankyou :)

[whisperwolf]

My doctor has told me that it is not recommended to take codeine based pain medications for migraines unless nothing else works because your body builds up a tolerance to the drug and then you have to take more of it and take it more often, and like marilee says, it could cause rebound headaches.  

I recommend you see your doctor to try a medication that is specifically made to treat migraines...

[marileew]

Hi Krissy93,

Panafen is a product that contains 200mg of ibuprofen and 12.8mg mg of codeine per tablet.

I have never heard that codeine can make you go deaf if you take it over a period of time. I do not think that this is true. Although I would urge you to consult your doctor or pharmacist about any concerns you have about any medications you are taking.

Iburofen can sometimes cause tinnitus (ringing in the ears), although this will only happen temporarily while taking the medication.

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Here is some safety information that I can tell you about Panafen Plus:

Panafen Plus should not be taken by asthmatics unless directed to by a physician.

Since Panafen Plus contains an NSAID, it should not be used by people with stomach ulcers or any sort of gastrointestinal bleeding, unless directed to by a physician.

Do not use if you have impaired kidney function, unless directed to by a physician.

Do not use if you have heart failure, unless directed to by a physician.

Do not use if you are pregnant, unless directed to by a physician.

Do not use at the same time as other medications containing ibuprofen, an NSAID, or codeine, unless directed to by a physician.

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Now about the Panafren Plus as an acute migraine treatment... the thing I would be more concerned about is rebound headaches since it contains ibuprofen. Triptans are currently the first-line of treatment for migraine headaches as opposed to NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, as ibuprofen can cause rebound migraine headaches. So I usually suggest that if possible, people avoid over-the-counter medications and stick with migraine medications such as triptans. Since I am not a doctor, I can't give medical advice, but I do think that the subject of acute treatment plans are something that all migraineurs should discuss with their doctors in order to get the very best treatment possible.

Triptans are a prescription medication that are made especially for migraine headaches and they will not cause rebound headaches. A small percent of people cannot take triptans, and then NSAIDS are often considered as an alternative to triptans. If the Panafren Plus is currently working well to abort your acute migraine attacks and you are not getting rebound headaches or frequent migraine headaches then there would probably be no reason to consider switching to a triptan... although, if you are at all unhappy with your current acute treatment plan, or if you are getting frequent migraine headaches, I would urge you to discuss Triptans with your doctor. There are seven triptans currently on the market, and many of our forum members all have their personal favourites. I personally use Zomig Nasal Spray and love it, although I also think that Maxalt-MLTs work very well too.

Hope that helps!

- marilee :)