The British pharmaceutical authority has withdrawn the analgesic medicinal product Co-proxamol from the market because of serious adverse heart reactions by overdosing. Co-proxamol is a combination of the medicinal products Dextropropoxyphene and paracetamol.
In Great Britain, Co-proxamol has been used as an analgesic for a number of years. Now, new studies show that the occurrence of poisonings and deaths is almost twice as large for Co-proxamol as for paracetamol alone. In addition, Co-proxamol does not have a very large pain-relieving effect. Therefore, the British pharmaceutical authority has withdrawn Co-proxamol.
In Denmark, Co-proxamol is not authorised and the use of Dextropropoxyphene is falling. However, overdosage of Dextropropoxyphene can result in serious adverse reactions, and therefore the consumption is closely monitored.
Doctors treating patients with Dextropropoxyphene should pay attention to the serious adverse reactions and avoid simultaneous use of paracetamol.
For further information please contact Chief Medical Officer Steffen Thirstrup on tel.: +45 4488 9187.
The Danish Medicines Agency, 8 February 2005
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