Problems with Drugs
Continuing problems for people with ME/CFS following the (UK) phased withdrawal of Co-Proxamol – by Dr. Charles ShepherdFeedback to The ME Association over the past few months indicates that some of our members who previously used co-proxamol - a painkilling drug which contains a combination of dextropropoxyphene hydrochloride and paracetamol - have been unable to find a satisfactory alternative since it was withdrawn as a licensed prescribable drug back in January this year. The drug was withdrawn because of concerns about its growing misuse in cases of self-harm poisoning and suicide. The problems facing people with ME/CFS who have been unable to find a relatively safe and effective alternative analgesic were passed by The MEA to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), as have concerns from other charities such as Arthritis Care. But there has been very little indication this action could be looked at again by the MHRA and some flexibility introduced. However, the Government has now indicated that it would be permissable for GPs to prescribe co-proxamol on what is called a named-patient basis. The announcement was made in parliament after Anne Begg (Labour, Aberdeen South) asked what could be done for patients whose pain was not being satisfactorarily controlled by alternative analgesics. In response, Caroline Flint, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health said that 'provision will remain for the supply of unlicensed preparations' and that 'For a minority who have gone through all the alternatives there may be a clinical need to continue prescribing co-proxamol'.. So the way is now open for doctors to prescribe co-proxamol again, but only on a very cautious and restricted basis. But with doctors becoming increasingly reluctant to prescribe drugs whose status has moved from licensed to unlicensed, it looks as though obtaining co-proxamol, although theoretically possible, may not be so in practice. Are you still able to obtain co-proxamol from your doctor? Or are you having difficulty in finding a suitable alternative? Or have you found a suitable alternative drug? If so, please let The MEA know so that we can continue to carefully monitor the situation and, if appropriate, ask the All Party Parliamentary Group to make a representation when the House of Commons returns in October. Dr Charles Shepherd Please reply to Co-Cure with your experiences. Up-date Sept 2005New research published early on-line in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology looks as though it may be the 'final nail in the coffin' for co-proxamol - a combination analgesic that some people who have moderate to severe pain find very helpful. Co-proxamol has been almost withdrawn from prescription use following concerns earlier in the year about the fact that overdose with this drug is far more likely to be fatal than with other similar analgesics. In July, government health minister Caroline Flint stated in parliament that GPs may need to continue prescribing co-proxamol on a named patient basis for the minority of patients who have gone through all the alternatives - which include other types of paracetamol and opiod combinations. But this new research from Edinburgh, which concluded that 290 deaths could be avoided each year by terminating the prescribing of co-proxamol, means that any relaxation of the restrictions now seems highly unlikely. The ME Association is continuing to monitor the situation regarding co-proxamol, and if you have any personal experiences relating to withdrawal of this drug please let me know via: E-mail. Dr Charles Shepherd Update article - Jan 2008 |
Buy-at the FMS SAS on-line shop.
A Medication Minefield
American Pain Foundation
Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Global News - Adverse reactions of natural health products/drugs