Is Co-Proxomol (Dyhydrocodone) still banned in the UK?

Question

They were the only things that could work on my back. They've gave me Solpadol, which has done hee-haw to be honest.

Answer 1

Co-proxamol and dihydrocodeine are not the same thing.

Co-proxamol is a combination of paracetemol and dextpropxyphene. It is banned in the UK and this is highly unlikely to be reversed due to the risk associated with this drug.

Dihydrocodeine is a strong and effective opioid analgesic which is metabolised by the liver to morphine.

Solpadol is a brand name for co-codamol which is a mixture of paracetemol and codeine. The mixture is of a lower dose than taking the two drugs seperately.

It depends what your condition is as to what will be prescribed. If it is ineffective go back to your GP and tell them.

All the best xx

Answer 2

Co-proxamol is unlikely ever to be available again in UK. I for one am delighted. Sorry to say I spent 15 years campaigning against its use, together withe use of all forms of Co-Codamol, which of course includes Solpadol.

The rationale behind my abhorrence for both of these drugs is well documented. Firstly, the BNF = British National Formulary, which should be considered as the GP's prescribing bible, has labelled both these drugs as unsuitable for routine prescribing for many years. There have also been a large number of published journal articles about them, all with a similar theme. Firstly they are both only 5% more effective as analgesics than plain paracetamol. Secondly they have a much greater list of side effects, both coproxamol and Co-Codamol have significant potential for addiction. Coproxamol causes significant respiratory depression, which made it potentially dangerous with only modest over use. Co-Codamol produces constipation, abdomnal pain and headache. Overall these studies suggested that the risk/benefit ratio does not really justify these drugs at all.

Unfortunately most patients who mourn the dissapearance of Coproxamol, do so because they miss the buzz, which you don't get from paracetamol, rather than have issues because of lack of potency, many also suffer fom withdrawal symptoms, which make them edgy and irritable.

Answer 3

Once a drug is banned, it would take a major effort to get it back on the market.

The UK has been very appropriate in the banning of this medication as it has limited medical use and significant abuse and side effect issues, as well as it's potential as a suicide drug.

Dextropropoxyphene preparaions are still available in Sweeden as Distalgesic, the US as Darvocet and Australia under several names. But the therapeutic index of this drug makes it no more effective than paracetamol.

I don't think the cost/benefit to the company would make lobbying for it's return to the UK worthwhile. The company is, I'm sure, already making more expensive and profitable drugs.

The main problems with dextropropoxyphene are:

Toxicologic Mechanism
A) Excessive opioid receptor stimulation is responsible for the CNS depression, respiratory depression, miosis, and gastrointestinal effects seen in propoxyphene poisoning. It may also account for mood/thought altering effects.

B) Local anesthetic activity appears to be responsible for the arrhythmias and cardiovascular depression seen in propoxyphene poisoning. Widening of the QRS complex appears to be a result of a quinidine-like effect of propoxyphene, and sodium bicarbonate therapy appears to have a positive direct effect on the QRS dysrhythmia.

C) Seizures may result from either opioid or local anesthetic effects.

D) Pulmonary edema may result from direct pulmonary toxicity, neurogenic/anoxic effects, or cardiovascular depression.


Recreational use
Those who take dextropropoxyphene for recreational purposes tend to take anywhere from 240 to 420 milligrams of dextropropoxyphene and, if it is not extracted, the acetaminophen that is present in the preparation can be toxic. Some adverse effects of recreational dextropropoxyphene use are: a persistent dry mouth, decreased appetite, urinary retention and constipation that may lead to diverticulitis.

Lets hope it never comes back.

There are many treatments for pain, you need to follow up with your GP or see a pain specialist.

Dr Frank.... as always you are right again, thanks for your efforts.

Answer 4

I only found out that it ever has been banned after reading people's answers on this... My Mum has really rather severe MS (multiple sclerosis (spl?)) and we have a stockpile in our medicine cupboard (along with co-codomol etc.)

God, I've been doing some research on the stuff while writing 'Co-proxamol is implicated in 300-400 deaths from overdose a year' I used it all the time last year when broke my arm and chipped and cracked my elbow. She never said anything about it being banned.

Answer 5

I know how you feel. I relief on co-proxomol and was so surprised when it was withdrawn. When I asked I was told that it was because that was what a lot of people used to commit suicide. Which is so ridiculous, if someone wants to kill themselves that way, then they can just take enough of about anything. Anyhow, my prescription for co-proxomol was replaced with co-coprodomol. It has a higher content of paracetemol plus some other things, but somehow doesn't give as much pain relief as the co proxomol did.

Answer 6

Do you mean dihydrocodeine? If so, it is still prescribable but not used often due to its abuse potential. Co-proxamol was withdrawn about a year ago due to overdose problems and the fact that it was no more effective as a pain killer than regular paracetamol. Are you taking regular paracetamol? It is more effective than many people realise.

Answer 7

You can buy codeine paracetamol preparations. The preparations are so similar that you may have a more psychological reason why one doesn't work but the other does.

If the comparison was between paracetamol and ibuprofen then I could understand but you are referring to 2 opiates.

Answer 8

My Dad takes Codydramol for his back pain and he finds it quite effective. (I know I shouldn't, but when I have a migraine sometimes I pinch two of these and it eases the pain a lot.)

Answer 9

It's all down to cost's I was on it for a number of months my G.P.Put me on Co-Codamol.