Myprodol combines three medicines — ibuprofen 200 mg, paracetamol 250 mg and codeine phosphate 10 mg. It is one of South Africa’s most widely used painkillers, taken for moderate pain such as headache, backache, period pain, toothache and muscular pain. It contains an opioid and is intended for short courses.
What is Myprodol?
Myprodol is Schedule 3 in South Africa, obtained through a pharmacist:
| Form | Contains |
|---|---|
| Capsule / tablet | Ibuprofen 200 mg + paracetamol 250 mg + codeine phosphate 10 mg |
| Suspension | The same, per 10 ml |
Three ingredients, three different mechanisms — which is both why it works well and why it needs care:
- Ibuprofen is an anti-inflammatory (NSAID). It blocks COX enzymes, reducing prostaglandins and so reducing inflammation, swelling, pain and fever.
- Paracetamol relieves pain and fever, acting mainly in the central nervous system, with little effect on inflammation.
- Codeine is a weak opioid, converted in the liver to morphine, adding pain relief by a third mechanism.
Attacking pain by three routes at once genuinely works better than one — which is why Myprodol is effective and why it is so widely used.
But every added ingredient adds its own risk profile, and this product carries all three:
- The ibuprofen brings stomach, kidney and cardiovascular cautions.
- The paracetamol means you must not take paracetamol from any other source.
- The codeine brings constipation, drowsiness and dependence potential.
Codeine also works unpredictably. It is a prodrug, converted by a liver enzyme into morphine, and people vary considerably in how fast they do this. Around 5 to 10% convert very little and get almost no benefit from the codeine — just its side effects. A smaller number convert rapidly and get an unexpectedly strong effect.
What is Myprodol commonly used for?
- Moderate pain not relieved by a single painkiller.
- Headache and tension headache.
- Backache and muscular pain.
- Period pain.
- Dental pain, as short-term relief while awaiting treatment.
- Post-operative and post-injury pain.
- Joint pain, including arthritis flares.
- Sprains and strains, where the anti-inflammatory component helps.
It is intended for short-term use — a few days, not weeks.
Two specific risks deserve emphasis, because Myprodol’s very effectiveness and availability make them common.
Medication-overuse headache. Taking painkillers for headache on most days can itself perpetuate the headache, producing a cycle where the treatment sustains the problem. Codeine-containing products are among the most likely to cause it. If you take painkillers on more than about 10 days a month, mention it to a doctor — this is common, under-recognised and treatable.
Codeine dependence. Myprodol is available without a prescription, effective, and easy to keep taking. Dependence develops in people taking it as directed, and the pattern — needing it more often, needing more for the same effect, taking it for tension or sleep rather than pain, feeling unable to manage without it — is easy to miss from the inside. This is a treatable situation, not a failing.
How Myprodol fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain and fever; no dependence risk |
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, naproxen | Pain and inflammation |
| Paracetamol + codeine | Napacod, Stilpane | Moderate pain; opioid component |
| Triple combinations | Myprodol, Mybulen | Ibuprofen + paracetamol + codeine |
| Paracetamol + tramadol | Tramacet, Tamoltra | Prescription-only; stronger opioid |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, as courses |
For many everyday pains, paracetamol and ibuprofen together — without codeine — work nearly as well, without the dependence risk or the constipation. That is worth considering as a first step. See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Myprodol
Check every other product you take for paracetamol and for ibuprofen. This is the most important point, and Myprodol makes it doubly relevant because it contains both. Cold and flu remedies, sinus products and other painkillers frequently contain one or the other, and doubling up on either is easy.
Do not take another anti-inflammatory — diclofenac, naproxen, mefenamic acid or aspirin — alongside it.
Do not drink alcohol with it. Alcohol compounds the sedation from codeine, adds to stomach bleeding risk from ibuprofen, and increases the risk of liver harm from paracetamol.
Speak to a pharmacist or doctor first if you:
- Have had a stomach ulcer, gastritis or bleeding in the gut.
- Have kidney disease, or are dehydrated.
- Have heart failure, high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
- Have asthma. A minority of people with asthma wheeze significantly on NSAIDs.
- Have liver disease, or drink heavily.
- Have breathing problems — COPD or sleep apnoea. Codeine suppresses respiration.
- Have a history of substance or alcohol dependence.
- Are over 65, where stomach, kidney and sedation risks all rise.
- Weigh under 50 kg.
- Are pregnant. NSAIDs are generally avoided, particularly from around 20 weeks, and codeine is avoided near delivery.
- Are breastfeeding. Codeine passes into breast milk, and an ultra-rapid metabolising mother can produce enough morphine to seriously harm a baby.
- Are giving it to a child. Codeine is contraindicated under 12, and after tonsil or adenoid surgery.
- Take warfarin, an ACE inhibitor or ARB with a diuretic, low-dose aspirin, lithium, methotrexate or an SSRI antidepressant.
Take it with food or after eating, and follow the pack instructions.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are constipation, drowsiness, nausea, indigestion, dizziness and dry mouth. Constipation from codeine does not settle on its own — increase fluid and fibre, and ask a pharmacist about a laxative if it persists.
Stop and seek medical attention urgently if you notice:
- Slow, shallow or difficult breathing, or unusual difficulty waking someone. An emergency, particularly in a child or where alcohol or another sedative is involved.
- Vomiting blood, or vomit resembling coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry stools.
- Severe stomach pain.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- Sudden wheezing, particularly with asthma.
- A spreading rash, blistering or peeling skin.
- Chest pain, breathlessness, or sudden one-sided weakness.
- Much less urine than usual, or swollen ankles.
Paracetamol overdose is a medical emergency and does not feel like one at first. Someone who has taken too much may feel entirely well for a day or more while liver damage develops silently. Go to an emergency department immediately with the packaging if too much has been taken — even accidentally, even if the person seems fine.
If you have been taking it regularly, do not stop abruptly — codeine withdrawal causes restlessness, aches, sweating, insomnia and diarrhoea. A doctor can help you reduce it.
See a doctor if pain lasts more than a few days, worsens, or if you are using painkillers on most days.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What are Myprodol capsules used for? Moderate pain — headache, backache, period pain, toothache, muscular and joint pain. Each contains ibuprofen 200 mg, paracetamol 250 mg and codeine 10 mg.
Is Myprodol addictive? It contains codeine, an opioid with dependence potential. Dependence can develop in people taking it as directed, which is why it is intended for short courses.
Can I take paracetamol with it? No. It already contains paracetamol, and adding more risks overdose. Check cold and flu remedies too.
Can I take ibuprofen with it? No. It already contains ibuprofen, and taking two anti-inflammatories multiplies stomach bleeding risk.
Why does it not work for me? Around 5 to 10% of people convert very little codeine into morphine and get almost no benefit from that component. This is a genuine biological difference.
Can I give it to my child? No. Codeine is contraindicated under 12, and after tonsil or adenoid surgery.
Can I take it while breastfeeding? Generally not. Codeine passes into breast milk, and some mothers produce enough morphine to harm a baby. Ask your doctor.
How long can I take it? A few days at most without medical advice. Longer use risks dependence and medication-overuse headache.