Media Releases
Medsafe Advice on Co-proxamol
2 Feb 2005
Medsafe is aware the UK-based Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has decided to withdraw the painkiller Co-proxamol from the market over the next 6-12 months.
Co-proxamol is not available in New Zealand. However, two similar products Capadex and Paradex which contain the same ingredients (paracetamol and dextropropoxyphene) are available.
Medsafe will be asking the MHRA for a copy of the risk-benefit review carried out on Co-proxamol, which it will consider against data on the safety and use of Capadex and Paradex in New Zealand. The New Zealand review will also take into consideration the availability of alternative medication, before deciding on the most appropriate action for this country.
Given the toxicity in overdose of these products, especially when taken with alcohol, Medsafe is advising prescribers to check the suitability of these products for their patients. The data sheets for both Capadex and Paradex already contain warnings about the potential toxicity of these medicines when used in particular patients or concurrently with alcohol.
The NZ Poisons Centre has advised Medsafe that in 2001-02 there were seven deaths in New Zealand where dextropropoxyphene was the primary cause, and a further 13 where it was part of an overdose cocktail. The approximate rate of death by overdose is 1-2 per 100,000 prescriptions. Analgesics are frequently taken in suicide attempts along with a number of other medicines.
Link to Capadex data sheet on Medsafe web site: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/c/Capadexcap.htm
Link to Paradex data sheet on Medsafe web site: http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/p/Paradextab.htm
Link to UK MHRA web site: http://www.mhra.gov.uk/