Scotland's supplies of prescription co-codamol limited until June

"Supplies of prescription-strength co-codamol will be limited until the summer, the Scottish government has confirmed. A UK-wide shortage of the strongest form of the painkiller - the 30/500mg dosage - is ongoing due to the Indian government delaying the authorisation to import ingredients required to make the drug there. The Scottish government told BBC Scotland News alternative treatment options will be offered to those affected by the shortages."

"Jocelin Harrison was contacted by NHS Lanarkshire last week and told to begin reducing her tablets by one a week to "avoid side effects of stopping suddenly". She has been taking the medicine for over 30 years to help her cope with the pain caused from five spinal surgeries. She said: "The only advice I've been given so far was to reduce the tablets and try to manage my withdrawal symptoms.""

"Co-codamol contains the opiate codeine and can be addictive. It comes in three different strengths - containing either 8mg, 15mg or 30mg of codeine, as well as 500mg of paracetamol. The lowest strength can be purchased from pharmacies but the others need to be prescribed by a doctor. Patients have been warned to gradually reduce their use of the painkiller as stopping altogether can bring on withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea and sweating."

Supplies of the 30/500mg prescription-strength co-codamol are limited across the UK until summer because the Indian government has delayed authorisation to import ingredients used in manufacturing. Scottish health boards say alternative treatments will be offered, but warn existing alternatives cannot meet the full increase in demand. Some patients have been advised to reduce doses gradually to avoid withdrawal effects. Co-codamol contains codeine and paracetamol, is available in three strengths, and higher-dose formulations require prescriptions. Stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nausea and sweating and may increase pain for heavy users.

Read at www.bbc.com