Panadeine contains two active ingredients- paracetamol and codeine, which work in different ways to reduce pain. Paracetamol has painkilling as well as antipyretic (anti-fever) effects by preventing the production of chemical substances called prostaglandins, which are responsible for the pain and inflammatory response. Codeine is an opioid analgesic and works by activating opioid receptors in nervous system to produce painkilling effects. It also acts at the level of the spinal cord to prevent the transmission of pain impulses.
Common side effects
As with any other medication, Panadeine can cause a number of side effects, most of which are likely to be minor and cease when the medication is stopped. Codeine phosphate is known to cause a number of side effects including:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation (chronic use)
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Paracetamol is considered to have very few side effects when taken at normal doses.