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France, Morocco and Algeria: Cough medicines containing pholcodine withdrawn over safety fears

Cough medicines containing pholcodine withdrawn over safety fears

Some cough medicines sold over-the-counter in pharmacies are being recalled for safety reasons.   Health professionals say there is a very rare possibility that some people may be allergic  to an ingredient called pholcodine.   

People should check the packaging of any cough tablets or cough syrup they have at home to see if  the ingredients list pholcodine.   

In this case, talk to the pharmacist about the possibility of taking another medicine.   

Products containing pholcodine do not require a prescription, but cannot be purchased without consulting a pharmacist because they are left behind the counter.  

Medicines containing pholcodine include:  

1.  Boots Night Cough Relief Oral Solution, PL 00014/0230"
2.  Boots Dry Cough Syrup 6 Years+  Boots Day Cold & Flu Relief Oral Solution  
3. Cofsed Linctus  Care Pholcodine 5 mg/5 ml Sugar Oral Solution No Sugar  
4. Galenphol Linctus  Galenphol Pediatric Linctus  
5. Galenphol Strong Linctus  
6. Covonia Dry Cough Sugar Free Formula  
7. Pholcodine Linctus Bells Healthcare 5mg per 5ml   
8. Numark Pholcodine Oral Solution 5mg per 5ml   
9. Well Pharmaceuticals Pholcodine Oral Solution 5mg per 5ml Oral Solution  
10. Superdrug Pholcodine  Linctus BP  Pholcodine Linctus BP  
11. Strong Pholcodine Linctus BP  Haleon Day & Night Nurse Capsules 
12. Haleon Day Nurse Capsules  
13. Haleon Day Nurse  as described by the Medicines and Healthcare  

products Administration Discontinuation of product sales is a precautionary measure.   

Pholcodine has been used as a cough suppressant since the 1950s, but current evidence  suggests that there is a very small risk or chance - less than one in 10,000 - that some users may experience a reaction. 

severe allergies if they have surgery later  and need  general anesthesia that involves the use of  muscle relaxants or "neuromuscular blocking agents".   

The European Medicines Agency has issued similar recommendations to recall cough products containing pholcodine.   

Use honey first for  cough, as directed  Gambia cough syrup scandal  WHO warns about Indian-made cough syrup on pharmacy shelves, but  alternative medicines for cough and cold was available.   

"UK pharmacies take patient safety very seriously and will help recall  these products.  

"Patients with coughs and colds should contact their local pharmacy for the best advice on the types of alternatives available," she says.   

Professor Claire Anderson, of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: "The risk to patients already taking pholcodine is very low. 

If you are due to have surgery, please ask your pharmacist or your team. 

for advice   "Cough usually goes away in 3 to 4 weeks. You can treat it with another cough medicine or warm lemon and honey" - but not for babies under a year old, she warns   

"Take a break, if you can - and you can try paracetamol or ibuprofen , if appropriate, to treat any pain.  "If your cough persists for longer, seek advice from a healthcare professional," says Professor Anderson.   

Dr Alison Cave of the MHRA said: “Safety is our top priority and we continuously monitor the safety of medicines.   

"After a thorough scientific  review of the safety of all  available evidence for pholcodine, along with advice from the Independent Committee on Medicinal Products for Human Use, we have recommended, As a precaution, do not use these products anymore."