If you have already run out, an emergency supply is usually faster than ringing round. Pharmacists cannot make an emergency supply of Schedule 1, 2 or 3 controlled drugs, such as ADHD stimulants, whoever asks (phenobarbital for epilepsy is the only exception): you need a new prescription, from your prescriber or through NHS 111. If you are still looking, check the national shortage status before you travel.
Get an emergency supply → Check stock & shortage status →Quick Status: Common Pain Medications
Current Active Shortages
Co-codamol 30mg/500mg Tablets — The Big One
Co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets
High Severity DHSC MSNDHSC MSN/2026/001 (issued 12 January 2026) said co-codamol 30mg/500mg tablets would be in limited supply from early February until early June 2026. That date has passed and recovery has not been confirmed. Check with your pharmacist.
- Paracetamol 500mg tablets — fully available, can support complete demand uplift
- Codeine 30mg tablets — available, can support partial demand (take with paracetamol)
- Co-codamol 30/500 capsules — available from mid-April 2026, partial support
- Co-codamol 30/500 effervescent tablets — available but limited capacity
- Co-dydramol 30/500 and 20/500 tablets — available but limited capacity
Co-codamol 30/500 combines paracetamol 500mg with codeine 30mg in a single tablet. It's one of the UK's most prescribed painkillers, used for moderate pain that doesn't respond to paracetamol or ibuprofen alone. DHSC estimated limited supply until early June 2026; that date has passed and recovery has not been confirmed.
The simplest workaround: take paracetamol 500mg tablets and codeine 30mg tablets separately. You get the exact same active ingredients at the same doses — the only difference is swallowing two tablets instead of one. Both remain widely available. Any change from co-codamol needs a new prescription from your GP or prescriber. DHSC says paracetamol 500mg tablets “remain available and can support a full uplift in demand” and codeine 30mg tablets “remain available and can support a partial uplift in demand” (MSN/2026/001).
Paracetamol Suppositories
Paracetamol 120mg & 240mg suppositories
No current official shortage Expired NHSBSA SSPHistoric SSPs for paracetamol 120mg and 240mg suppositories expired in 2022–2023 (the last ended on 12 May 2023); there is no current notice. These are primarily used for children and patients who cannot take oral medication.
Paracetamol tablets are not in shortage. The historic SSPs covered only suppository forms, which are used in hospitals, for post-operative patients, and for young children who can't swallow tablets. If you take standard paracetamol tablets or capsules from the pharmacy, you are not affected by this shortage.
Diclofenac Eye Drops
Diclofenac (Voltarol Ophtha) 0.1% eye drops
Medium DHSC MSNDiclofenac (Voltarol® Ophtha) 0.1% eye drops 0.3ml unit dose preservative-free is out of stock until mid-January 2027. Diclofenac (Voltarol® Ophtha Multidose) 0.1% eye drops will be discontinued by the end of October 2026 and cannot support any increased demand (DHSC MSN/2026/034). Used after cataract surgery and for eye inflammation — not general pain relief.
This shortage affects ophthalmic (eye) use of diclofenac, not the tablets or gel used for musculoskeletal pain. Diclofenac tablets, dispersible tablets and topical gel (Voltarol) are all widely available and not affected by any shortage.
Drugs NOT Currently in Shortage
Good news — the vast majority of pain medications are fully available:
- Paracetamol (tablets, capsules, liquid) — no shortage
- Ibuprofen — available OTC and prescription, no issues
- Naproxen — widely available
- Codeine tablets — available (can support co-codamol workaround)
- Tramadol — no current shortages
- Gabapentin — widely available
- Pregabalin — widely available
- Diclofenac tablets/gel — no shortage (only eye drops affected)
Understanding Pain Medication Types
The WHO pain ladder provides a useful framework for understanding how different painkillers relate to each other:
- Step 1 — Simple analgesics: Paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac. Available OTC for mild-moderate pain.
- Step 2 — Weak opioids + paracetamol: Co-codamol (codeine + paracetamol), co-dydramol (dihydrocodeine + paracetamol). Prescription-only at higher strengths.
- Step 3 — Strong opioids: Tramadol, morphine, oxycodone. Prescription-only for moderate-severe pain.
- Neuropathic pain agents: Gabapentin, pregabalin, amitriptyline. For nerve-related pain conditions.
What to Do If Your Pain Medication Is Affected
- If you can't get co-codamol 30/500: Ask your pharmacist about taking paracetamol and codeine separately. Same ingredients, same effect.
- Don't increase doses of available painkillers to compensate for a missing one. This risks overdose — particularly with paracetamol (max 4g/day).
- Ask your GP about alternatives. There are many effective pain management options. Your GP can suggest the best alternative for your specific condition.
- Try your pharmacy first. Pharmacists can often source alternatives faster than waiting for a GP appointment.
- Order repeat prescriptions early. Give your pharmacy at least 7 working days to source stock, especially for controlled drugs like codeine.
- Consider non-medication approaches alongside your medicines: TENS machines, heat/cold therapy, gentle exercise and physiotherapy can all help manage pain.
A Note on Over-the-Counter Painkillers
Lower-strength co-codamol (8/500 and 15/500) is available over the counter from pharmacies. However, these are not interchangeable with the prescription-only 30/500 strength. If your GP has prescribed 30/500, the OTC versions won't provide the same level of pain relief. Do not take more OTC co-codamol tablets to try to match the prescription dose — this will give you too much paracetamol.
If you take OTC painkillers regularly and find yourself running out, speak to your pharmacist. Persistent pain that requires regular painkillers should be reviewed by your GP.
Further Reading
Related Condition Pages
This page is updated when new shortage data is published. Last checked: 12 November 2026, 06:18 UTC.