The opioid pholcodine, a common component of cough and cold medicines, is to be removed from the British market, it was announced yesterday.
The decision affects many cough lozenges and over the counter medicines.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it was concerned that the drug can cause severe reactions in patients undergoing general anaesthesia when they receive neuromuscular blocking agents.
MHRA chief safety officer Dr Alison Cave said: “Safety is our top priority, and we keep the safety of medicines under continual review.
“Following a thorough scientific safety review of all the available evidence on pholcodine, together with advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines, it has been recommended, as a precautionary measure, that these products should no longer be used.
“If you are taking a cough or cold medicine, check the packaging, label or patient information leaflet to see if pholcodine is a listed ingredient. If it is, and you have any questions, you can talk to your pharmacist who will suggest an alternative medicine.
“If you have an operation scheduled using general anaesthesia, tell your anaesthetist if you think you have used pholcodine, particularly in the past 12 months. The anaesthetist will be well placed to take this into account. Anaesthetists are highly trained in managing anaphylaxis.
“If you want more information or advice, please speak to your pharmacist.”
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