Menu
16/08/2005
Painkiller warnings to be updated
Over-the-counter painkillers are set to carry stronger warnings about the risk of addiction and possible side effects.
The industry regulators, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) asked manufacturers to voluntarily update the Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) and labelling of painkillers that contained codeine and dihydrocodeine.
The updated warnings will inform patients that taking codeine regularly could lead to addiction and will advise patients to see their doctor if they need to take the medication for more than three days at a time.
The warnings will also advise patients that taking a painkiller to ease headaches for too often or too long, can actually make them worse.
The MHRA says that these precautions could help prevent a small number of people of people becoming addicted to the medication.
The industry has also voluntarily agreed to a maximum pack size of 32 tablets for all over-the-counter medicines containing codeine or dihydrocodeine.
Helen Darracott, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, welcomed the decision. She said: “OTC medicines which contain codeine or dihyrdocodeine do not lead to addiction if used according to the instruction on the pack.
They should be taken only to relieve symptoms of pain and only for short periods unless a doctor has advised otherwise. Combining codeine with paracetemol or ibuprofen produces pain relief products, which have been shown to be more effective than simple analgesics. They therefore play a useful role as over-the-counter medicines. As with all medicines, people should consult their pharmacist or doctor if their symptoms persist or get worse.
Ms Darracott added: “These medicines are already strictly regulated – they are only available from pharmacists and have clear instructions on how to use the medicine and when not to use the medicine. We hope by adding these extra warnings it will help the minority of people who might be at risk of addiction to use these medicines appropriately.”
(KMcA/SP)
The industry regulators, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) asked manufacturers to voluntarily update the Patient Information Leaflets (PILs) and labelling of painkillers that contained codeine and dihydrocodeine.
The updated warnings will inform patients that taking codeine regularly could lead to addiction and will advise patients to see their doctor if they need to take the medication for more than three days at a time.
The warnings will also advise patients that taking a painkiller to ease headaches for too often or too long, can actually make them worse.
The MHRA says that these precautions could help prevent a small number of people of people becoming addicted to the medication.
The industry has also voluntarily agreed to a maximum pack size of 32 tablets for all over-the-counter medicines containing codeine or dihydrocodeine.
Helen Darracott, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, welcomed the decision. She said: “OTC medicines which contain codeine or dihyrdocodeine do not lead to addiction if used according to the instruction on the pack.
They should be taken only to relieve symptoms of pain and only for short periods unless a doctor has advised otherwise. Combining codeine with paracetemol or ibuprofen produces pain relief products, which have been shown to be more effective than simple analgesics. They therefore play a useful role as over-the-counter medicines. As with all medicines, people should consult their pharmacist or doctor if their symptoms persist or get worse.
Ms Darracott added: “These medicines are already strictly regulated – they are only available from pharmacists and have clear instructions on how to use the medicine and when not to use the medicine. We hope by adding these extra warnings it will help the minority of people who might be at risk of addiction to use these medicines appropriately.”
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
24 May 2006
Herceptin granted UK license
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been licensed for use in the early stages of the disease in the UK by the European Medicines Agency. The drug, which is already used in Britain to treat the later stages of breast cancer, will now be appraised by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to see if it is safe and cost-effective.
Herceptin granted UK license
Breast cancer drug Herceptin has been licensed for use in the early stages of the disease in the UK by the European Medicines Agency. The drug, which is already used in Britain to treat the later stages of breast cancer, will now be appraised by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence to see if it is safe and cost-effective.
23 March 2012
Warning Issued Over Co-Codamol Tablets
A warning has been issued by the UK medicines regulator after the wrong strength of tablets was put into some packets of the painkiller co-codamol. Some packs in batch LL11701, expiry date of September 2014, which should contain 8mg/500mg strength tablets have higher strength 30mg/500mg tablets.
Warning Issued Over Co-Codamol Tablets
A warning has been issued by the UK medicines regulator after the wrong strength of tablets was put into some packets of the painkiller co-codamol. Some packs in batch LL11701, expiry date of September 2014, which should contain 8mg/500mg strength tablets have higher strength 30mg/500mg tablets.
06 October 2003
Quicker access to emergency drugs could 'speed up' treatment
Patients could receive common medicines without a doctor's prescription so as to speed up treatment, under proposals outlined today. The government has announced the establishment of 18 new national Patient Group Directions (PGD) which, it is hoped, will promote "speedier care for patients needing emergency treatment".
Quicker access to emergency drugs could 'speed up' treatment
Patients could receive common medicines without a doctor's prescription so as to speed up treatment, under proposals outlined today. The government has announced the establishment of 18 new national Patient Group Directions (PGD) which, it is hoped, will promote "speedier care for patients needing emergency treatment".
27 May 2003
Drivers endangered by misleading medicine labelling
The labelling of some over-the-counter medicines is inconsistent, inaccurate and could be a danger to drivers, according to research published by the Department for Transport today.
Drivers endangered by misleading medicine labelling
The labelling of some over-the-counter medicines is inconsistent, inaccurate and could be a danger to drivers, according to research published by the Department for Transport today.
21 June 2004
£4m gene studies funding aimed to improve NHS treatment
Research into why some people react badly to certain medicines has received £4 million, the government has announced today. The funding will be shared by six teams researching pharmacogenetics - which looks at how a patient's genetic makeup can affect the way they respond to different drugs.
£4m gene studies funding aimed to improve NHS treatment
Research into why some people react badly to certain medicines has received £4 million, the government has announced today. The funding will be shared by six teams researching pharmacogenetics - which looks at how a patient's genetic makeup can affect the way they respond to different drugs.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
