Co-codamol is a painkiller that contains 500mg of paracetamol and either 8mg, 15mg or 30mg of codeine — the latter, as many people know, is classified as a “weak opioid” and can be addictive.

Usually I have to go to bed with a cold flannel and sleep it off. This time though, taking co-codamol completely cured my headache. It was incredible. I could switch off the agony.” Rachel began ...