Some medicines for pain relief sold without a prescription can be addictive in just three days, says a new report.
Regulatory Agency Medicines and Healthcare in the UK (MHRA), which advises the British government, published new rules for drugs that contain codeine and dehidrocodeina.
The goal, he says, is to minimize the risk of overuse and addiction.
The packages of these drugs must now carry stronger warnings about the risk of dependency.
In the United Kingdom are sold around 27 million packs of analgesics containing codeine every year.
According to the MHRA figures show that about 30,000 people in this country has become addicted to these drugs, although this number, he says, “could be just the tip of the iceberg”.
Codeine is an opioid used to relieve moderate to severe pain in conditions such as migraine, toothache, menstrual or back.
And often sold in combination with other analgesics safer as paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen.
The MHRA states that these drugs are now sold with prominent warnings about the risk of addiction in both the packaging and the booklet inside.
And you should warn consumers not to take the drug for more than three days.
Packages also include a warning that the drug should only be used when not achieved pain relief with other analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Also be removed from packaging suggestions using medicines to relieve colds, flu, cough and sore throat, and references to disorders with mild pain.
Large packages of codeine effervescent now be sold only by prescription.
Clear information
According to Dr June Raine, Director of Vigilance and Risk Management of the MHRA, said that taken in the right way and for the right purpose, drugs and dehidrocodeina codeine, are effective and safe acetate.
“But he adds, these products can be addictive and we are taking steps to avoid this risk.”
The official added that it was important to ensure that people have clear information about how drugs should be used and how you can minimize the risk of addiction.
“Whoever is concerned about these drugs should talk with their pharmacist or doctor.
For its part, the Association of Medicinal Trademark of Great Britain (Pagba) which represents manufacturers of nonprescription drugs, expressed support for the new measures.
“The companies of the association and voluntarily took steps to restrict the size of packets to 32 tablets,” says Sheila Kelly, executive director of Pagba.
“And since 2005 have added warnings to packets.
“The new more prominent warning labels about the risk of addiction, which will be placed in front of the pack, and to limit the signs to moderate pain unresponsive to acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin, will be introduced as soon as possible,” says the official.
He adds that “the vast majority of people used properly codeine-containing drugs and therefore should not worry about the possibility to be damaging their health.”