Warning Over Co-Codamol Tablets

The stronger version is a prescription-only drug

The UK medicines regulator has issued a warning after the wrong strength of tablets was put into some packets of the painkiller co-codamol.





Some packs in batch LL11701, expiry date of September 2014, which should contain 8mg/500mg strength tablets have the higher strength 30mg/500mg tablets.

Wockhardt UK Ltd, which makes the medicine, is recalling the batch.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said there may have been a manufacturing error.

The medicine is used as a painkiller for the short term treatment of acute, moderate to severe pain which cannot be relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone. It contains codeine.

The MHRA has issued a drug alert to health professionals.

The different strength tablets can be identified by their markings.

The 8mg/500mg tablets are marked on one-side only as "<AB>" - these can be bought over-the-counter.

However the higher strength 30mg/500mg tablets - marked on one side as "CCD30" and marked as "CP" on the second side - are a prescription-only medicine.

Packs, which contain 32 tablets, from the affected batch were first distributed on 30 December 2011.

Just under 39,000 were distributed to pharmacists and wholesalers for onward sale in the UK.

Ian Holloway, MHRA head of the Defective Medicines Report Centre said: "If you have a packet of the affected medicine, return it to your pharmacist who will replace it.

"If you think you have taken the wrong strength tablet, and in the unlikely event that you feel unwell, speak to your pharmacist or GP promptly."

Neal Patel, pharmacist at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: "Patients who may have taken a larger dose of codeine than anticipated may feel more drowsy so should not drive.

"Other possible side effects include confusion, headaches, nausea and vomiting.

"People with pre-existing long term conditions, the elderly or those taking other medicines may be particularly vulnerable to adverse effects and should speak to their pharmacist for advice. However for most healthy adults if only a single dose has been taken there should not be any long term problems."

People with concerns about an affected packet can also speak to the Defective Medicines Reporting Centre on 0203 080 6574.

Original Story bbc.co.uk/news

Paget's Disease

Paget’s disease is a condition where the normal cycle of bone renewal and repair is disrupted. In some cases, this can cause the affected bone (or bones) to become weakened and deformed.

Bone pain is the most common symptom of Paget’s disease. It most commonly affects the pelvis or spine and it is usually worse when lying down.
However, in many cases Paget’s disease does not cause any noticeable symptoms, and it is only diagnosed during tests for an unrelated medical condition or when an affected bone is fractured.

There is no cure for the condition but the symptoms can be controlled by painkillers and a range of medications that help regulate bone growth.

Following treatment for Paget’s disease many people will have long periods of remission (where symptoms disappear) provided that the disease is picked up at an early stage. If the disease has progressed to an advanced stage by the time it is discovered, treatment is much less effective.

Complications of Paget’s disease are uncommon, but they can be potentially serious.

They Include:

• Fractured bones
• Deformed bones
• Deafness
• Bone cancer

How Common Is Paget's Disease?

After osteoporosis (brittle bones), Paget’s disease is the second most common type of bone disease.
Paget’s disease occurs among people of white British descent, possibly due to genetic factors. It is very rare among other ethnic groups, such as Asians and Africans.
Paget’s disease is most widespread in Britain and it is also relatively widespread in countries where there have been high levels of migration from Britain, such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, and to a lesser extent the USA.

There is also a marked variation in the number of cases of Paget’s disease in different regions of Britain. For example, the condition is less common in the south of the country, where an estimated 1 in 100 people over the age of 55 is affected, and it is more widespread in the north, particularly in the county of Lancashire where 1 in 50 people of this age may be affected.

Who Is Affected By Paget’s Disease?

Paget’s disease is an age-related condition. It is estimated that 1-2% of white adults aged over 55 have the condition. This figure increases to about 7% for white people who are over 80 years old.
Paget’s disease is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.