Patients have been urged to ration supplies of the painkiller co-codamol amid a UK-wide shortage expected to last for months. Pharmacists sounded the alarm last week about problems sourcing tablets, which are expected to last until June. The combination painkiller contains paracetamol and codeine and is commonly used to treat muscle aches, migraines and toothache.
The Department of Health and Social Care has told prescribers not to start treating new patients with 30mg/500mg doses of the drug and issued advice on alternative medications. Meanwhile, patients who are already taking co-codamol have been given advice on how to use their supplies. Some NHS health boards in Scotland have reportedly advised patients to start reducing their dose by around one tablet a week. NHS Lanarkshire said: “We are asking all patients (apart from patients who are having treatment for cancer) to start reducing the number of tablets they take.
“You should do this gradually over the next few weeks and then stop completely. If you are taking your co-codamol tablets every day, you need to start reducing your tablets now.”
NHS Grampian said patients could use the shortage “as a chance to think about whether co-codamol is the best medicine for you”. It is recommended that patients reduce their dose by around one tablet every 1-2 weeks.
The health board added: “Because of the supply problems, you may need to reduce more quickly, for example, one tablet at one dose every three to seven days.
“Some people may notice flu-like symptoms, sweating or feeling on edge when reducing co-codamol use. These usually settle within a few days.”
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, which represents around 5,000 pharmacies, told The Sun people taking co-codamol “should ration their supplies until supplies become stable in the summer.”
The shortage is linked to the Indian government delaying the authorisation to import ingredients required to make the drug there, the BBC reported.
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association said: « Pharmacies across the country are struggling to obtain some strengths of co-codamol, and several suppliers are indicating disruption could last until at least June.
“This is deeply distressing for patients living with severe pain, and pharmacists are working tirelessly to find safe alternatives or manage very limited stock.
« Where pharmacies have supplies, they will be doing all they can to manage them to ensure patients get the medication they need.”
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