Co-Proximol being withdrawn

[Nick]

A phased withdrawal of the commonly prescribed painkiller, co-proxamol, was announced yesterday by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). A recent consultation looking at evidence for the safety and effectiveness of co-proxamol found that the benefits of the medicine did not outweigh the risks and that it should be gradually withdrawn from clinical use. Co-proxamol is associated with 300-400 intentional and accidental fatal overdoses each year.

The Chairman of the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM), Professor Gordon Duff said: "Co-proxamol will be phased out of the market place gradually to give patients time to discuss their treatment with their doctor and change to a suitable alternative. There is no need for panic or concern and if patients have been taking co-proxamol continuously for a long time they should not stop without consulting their doctor."


Read the full story Here


Courtesy of www.onmedica.net

[GuzziHeroV50]

They are marked clear as a bell as to the maximum dosages.  I guess the DAC doesnt realise how important these drugs are to people like my mum who relies on Co-Pro to control the pain from her many joint replacements.  If these go, how about Dihydracodeine DF118?  They are FAR more potent, and my dad needs them.  Im sure that Val will also back me up when I say that some people cant cope without pain medication.  But because some slimy little scumbag drug dealers like to crush them up and sell them for snorts, everyone who uses the drug legitimately suffers.  God, Im so angry about this!

[puppydogeyes]

i think its stupid phasing out a pain medication that has been used by the majority as a effective form of pain control. I've used it myself. I'm now on dihydracodeine which is pretty powerful stuff and i've cut it to 60mg a day (two tablets) as i can use it in conjunction with ibrupofen. Most people have their pain relief under control with the help of their GPs...why change something if its not being abused. Its the minority that have caused concern and thats why the majority are suffering now.

[merciememommie]

This upsets me to. Im sorry for all the people who will be losing effective pain meds. I know Id be in a world of hurting if they took away my percocets or codine, Those are the only two I can take because of allergies to the others and I couldnt imagine not being able to take them when i needed to. Its not right and I hope that they come up with an addiquite replacement before the take them off the shelves completely.

AC

[Nick]

It seems pretty crazy to me.

I mean, any drug can be abused - any drug.
This particular one is no different - If used properly and responsibly then I fail to see any danger. But if any drug can be abused does that mean that the powers that be will remove all potentially dangerous (if abused) drugs?
So what drug are they going to withdraw next because of the actions of a small minority of people set of suicide?

Logic dictates that if a person set on suicide can't do it in the peace and quiet of their own home with a bottle of tablets they will simply find another way of doing it.

Go figure

[electric_ian]

Go figure

Nick you will need to remove this smilie, seeing we wont have any painkillers left....
Ian

[Val]

(said by Guz) Im sure that Val will also back me up when I say that some people cant cope without pain medication.

You bet I'm backing you up on this one Guz.

What the heck are they going to do next   Stop us from using knives to eat with in case we stab someone (or ourselves) Or come to that forks....because they can do a lot of damage as well   Make it law that we all eat slops I suppose

Some of us can't use a lot of the other painkillers available and I'm one of them, it's hard enough getting my pethidine without getting a lecture from the pharmacist (if they don't know me that is), yes I do know the risks of taking them, yes I do know not to abuse them, yes I do know not to leave them lying around...... I've been using them because I have to not because I flippin well want to.    

Wonder if they'll think about putting netting over all the bridges and high fences along the cliffs I mean....... we wouldn't want anyone to fall off these and kill themselves would we?

Think I'd better go cool off a bit now......

* Val not a happy bunny with this news..... and fed up of being nannied!

[gingerninja38]

the real reason that co-proxamol is being with drawn is that a study found that it is no more effective than paracetamol on its own, as many products stop the second ingredient from working including tobacco.
there are better drugs on the market than co-proxamol, and is widely abused by patients. i should know i work in pharmacy and see it all the time