Although co-proxamol has been unlicensed since 2007, and the number of prescriptions have significantly dwindled since then, it is still available as an unlicensed product for those patients who have found it difficult to have a suitable alternative analgesic.

Is Distalgesic still available?

Distalgesic (discontinued in the UK – December 2007)

Can you get co-Proxamol in the UK?

As co- proxamol does not have a UK licence, patients and doctors can no longer be sure that this is the case.

What’s the difference between co-Proxamol and co-codamol?

Both are more dangerous in overdose as they contain 500 mg paracetamol per tablet against co-proxamol’s 325 mg. Forty co-codamol tablets is 20 g paracetamol, 40 co-proxamol only 13 g.

What happened to Proxamol?

In 2007 the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) stopped the licence* for co-proxamol because of safety concerns. The lethal dose of co-proxamol is quite low and it is even more lethal if taken with alcohol or other drugs.

Is Distalgesic a painkiller?

Distalgesic is one of a group of medicines called analgesics that help to ease pain.

What is Distalgesic used for?

Distalgesic is one of a group of medicines called analgesics that help to ease pain. Why Distalgesic? Distalgesic is given to help reduce mild to moderate pain.

Is co-Proxamol an opiate?

should be reviewed regularly and the amount of opioid medicine they take should be reduced if possible (co-proxamol is an opioid). Why haven’t other harmful painkillers been stopped? Co-proxamol was withdrawn because of both safety concerns and lack of effectiveness.

Is co-proxamol an effective analgesic?

Evidence had been available since 1998 that Co-proxamol was an effective analgesic which had given millions of patient’s adequate pain relief without suffering any unpleasant side effects for over fifty years. [Hanks Forbes Report]

How much does it cost to make co-proxamol?

The cost of producing Co-proxamol was as little as 6p per tablet. The MHRA produced a 3 year staged withdrawal. This was due to the fact they knew there would be a public outcry with GPs baring the brunt if a total ban was enforced in one go.

Does Distalgesic have any side effects?

There is no doubt Distalgesic has side-effects but it is also very effective for those who tolerate it well. As it stands, those that can afford it buy abroad and the remainder continue to suffer. I have oesteoporosis, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal cysts, spondylosis and pain from a fractured spine.

How dangerous is a co-proxamol overdose?

Similarly, a study published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology in 2005 found that an overdose of co-proxamol was more than 10 times more likely to be fatal than one of co-dydramol or co-codamol.