“Codeine with ibuprofen is a two-drug amalgam, an opioid (codeine) and an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen), and repeated use can lead to addiction.

When people take higher doses than recommended or for a prolonged period of time, kidneys are damaged, preventing them from properly removing acids from blood into urine.

Kidney malfunction can also cause hypokalemia (too low levels of potassium in blood), which in turn can lead to muscle weakness and dizziness.

EMA highly recommends that such a combination should be distributed by prescription, a step that would help mitigate the risks and harms associated with abuse and dependence on these products.

Pll/ro/joe