Some cough and cold medicines are being withdrawn from the market due to safety concerns. An ingredient known as pholcodine is thought to cause an extremely rare allergic reaction in some people. Experts advise people to check the packaging of any cough tablets or syrups they have at home to see if pholcodine is listed, and if so, to seek advice on a suitable alternative.
Among the medications listed with the ingredient are:
• PL 00014/0230 Boots Night Cough Relief Oral Solution
• 6+ Years Boots Dry Cough Syrup
• Oral Cold and Flu Relief by Boots
• Linctus coffeus
• Care Pholcodine 5mg/5ml Sugar-Free Oral Solution
• Linctus Galenphol
• Linctus Galenphol Paediatric
• Strong Linctus Galenphol
• Covonia Sugar-Free Dry Cough Formula
• 5mg Pholcodine Linctus Bells Healthcare Oral Solution
• 5mg Pholcodine Oral Solution Numark
• Pholcodine 5mg/5ml Oral Solution by Well Pharmaceuticals
• Pholcodine Linctus BP Superdrug
• Linctus Strong Pholcodine BP
• Linctus Pholcodine BP
• Linctus Strong Pholcodine BP
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) action is consistent with that of the European Medicines Agency. Professor Claire Anderson of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society commented on the move, saying: "If you are taking cough medicine (including tablets and syrups), check the packaging, label, or Patient Information Leaflet to see if pholcodine is a listed ingredient; if it is, and you have any questions, speak with your pharmacist, who can recommend a different medicine that is more appropriate for you. "Patients who have used pholcodine face very little risk. If you are scheduled for surgery, please consult your pharmacist or medical team for guidance. "A cough usually goes away in 3-4 weeks. Other cough medicines, as well as hot lemon and honey, can be used to treat it (not suitable for babies under 1 year old). Rest if possible, and if necessary, treat any pain with paracetamol or ibuprofen. If your cough lasts more than 3-4 weeks, consult a healthcare professional. "This withdrawal is necessary because patient safety is of the utmost importance, and we support efforts to ensure that all medicines on the market are safe and effective."
By Covenantblog
