Solpodene?

CaptainSkidmark

Right quick question on this, Recently discovered its the best hang over cure! its like drinking hell but its good stuff....

Went into tesco and they done sell it at all.... Is it prescription im wondering?

Its just the normal stuff, not the Max stuff with the Codeine in it.
Cheers

copacetic

you can only get it in chemists, even the std stuff has codeine in it.

CaptainSkidmark

Oh really? I was unaware of that! thanks for the info!

Gazza22

Solpadeine is over the counter although i do recall pharmacists requested a few years ago that it be made prescription only.

You will find it in any pharmacist. Oh and regular Solpadeine does contain Codeine, but at a lower dose than the Max etc.

squeky

Solpadeine highly addictive very quickly, have a mate who drinks it like water!! she cant stop, try to avoid it!!

Red Sleeping Beauty

I can't see GlaxoSmithKline letting it be regulated with such pesky things as prescriptions. There's also a worrying number of people in Ireland who rely on Solpadiene. It's incredibly addictive.

tallaght01

copacetic wrote: »

you can only get it in chemists, even the std stuff has codeine in it.

I don't give medical advice here. BUt I wouldn't be relying on solpadeine to treat an STD :P
:pac::pac:

copacetic

tallaght01 wrote: »

I don't give medical advice here. BUt I wouldn't be relying on solpadeine to treat an STD :P
:pac::pac:

Damn, I knew using the soluble stuff and sticking Jr in there was never going to work. feels nice though.

Odysseus

Alan Rouge wrote: »

I can't see GlaxoSmithKline letting it be regulated with such pesky things as prescriptions. There's also a worrying number of people in Ireland who rely on Solpadiene. It's incredibly addictive.

When you say incredibly addictive, do you really mean that. I have treated a lot of people for minor addictions problems over the years, but I still find it have to believe there is any significant phyical slwithdrawal syndrome in those cases. But minor I mean OCT painkillers with codeine in the, of oppssed to larger doses of codeine of other drugs of dependence.

SomeDose

There's no evidence that solpadeine, or indeed pure codeine, is highly addictive. Codeine is an almost pure (but weak) mu-opioid agonist, so in theory it could cause dependence, although in practice it would be difficult to demonstrate a blatant abstinence syndrome such as that seen with morphine and heroin withdrawal. I would, however, be more inclined to believe there is a psychological dependence associated with it.

I think the media have spun this one slightly, and sold people a red herring with the focus on codeine (with the usual scare-mongering of it chemically being "only one step away from heroin"...oooh scary, but alas meaningless). I vaguely remember some report that OTC solpadeine sales in Ireland are a multiple of that in the UK, which I have no reason to doubt and it is indeed cause for concern. But if people are consuming it in the quantities we hear about anecdotally, here's the thing: OTC solpadeine has 500mg of paracetamol in it, so I'd be a lot more worried about the potential for liver damage that these people are exposing themselves to.

siobhanher

Just to let you know, 24 soluble Solpadeine is around 6.50, but you can get Maxilief, the exact same product with the same ingredients - 500 Parcetamol, 8 Codeine and 30 caffeine for a lot cheaper in most pharmacies, it's a generic.

Odysseus

SomeDose wrote: »

There's no evidence that solpadeine, or indeed pure codeine, is highly addictive. Codeine is an almost pure (but weak) mu-opioid agonist, so in theory it could cause dependence, although in practice it would be difficult to demonstrate a blatant abstinence syndrome such as that seen with morphine and heroin withdrawal. I would, however, be more inclined to believe there is a psychological dependence associated with it.

I think the media have spun this one slightly, and sold people a red herring with the focus on codeine (with the usual scare-mongering of it chemically being "only one step away from heroin"...oooh scary, but alas meaningless). I vaguely remember some report that OTC solpadeine sales in Ireland are a multiple of that in the UK, which I have no reason to doubt and it is indeed cause for concern. But if people are consuming it in the quantities we hear about anecdotally, here's the thing: OTC solpadeine has 500mg of paracetamol in it, so I'd be a lot more worried about the potential for liver damage that these people are exposing themselves to.

I would concur fully with you on that, I have seen opiate withdrawal in those using a significant amount of codeine, 450mg + daily in some cases that dose by two or three. However, in relation to OCT painkillers I 'm not such, and of course the paracetamol is my concren in those cases.

However, that not to said these people where addicted, and I have done some interesting psychological work around this with them. So whilst I agree that the people I treated had a problem, I think your right around the scare-mongering issue.

Red Sleeping Beauty

Odysseus wrote: »

When you say incredibly addictive, do you really mean that. I have treated a lot of people for minor addictions problems over the years, but I still find it have to believe there is any significant phyical slwithdrawal syndrome in those cases. But minor I mean OCT painkillers with codeine in the, of oppssed to larger doses of codeine of other drugs of dependence.

I'm not a doctor but the word "incredibly" might have been a bit of hyperbole. I don't think you can get addicted to it from taking it occasionally but you can form an addiction if you use it too much. It does state on the pack not to use for more than a week or something but so do most medicines. With Solpadeine you really need to heed the advice on the packet because I know people who go through about a box of 24 a week or take about 8 doses a day (dose = 2 solubles)

SomeDose wrote: »

There's no evidence that solpadeine, or indeed pure codeine, is highly addictive. Codeine is an almost pure (but weak) mu-opioid agonist, so in theory it could cause dependence, although in practice it would be difficult to demonstrate a blatant abstinence syndrome such as that seen with morphine and heroin withdrawal. I would, however, be more inclined to believe there is a psychological dependence associated with it.

I think the media have spun this one slightly, and sold people a red herring with the focus on codeine (with the usual scare-mongering of it chemically being "only one step away from heroin"...oooh scary, but alas meaningless). I vaguely remember some report that OTC solpadeine sales in Ireland are a multiple of that in the UK, which I have no reason to doubt and it is indeed cause for concern. But if people are consuming it in the quantities we hear about anecdotally, here's the thing: OTC solpadeine has 500mg of paracetamol in it, so I'd be a lot more worried about the potential for liver damage that these people are exposing themselves to.

http://www.independent.ie/health/ban-sale-of-solpadeine-over-counter--pharmacist-79891.html

I don't think it's spun. I also don't think it should be restricted to scripts. It's damn powerful and I've used it when I needed it (like a few months ago with a tooth ache/infection but after about 2days of use the pain relieving effect was weaker than at first). I also don't think Glaxo should profit no end from people who get hooked on it.

I'd also be worried about the liver damage. And the potential damage causes by the caffeine in it and the codeine but I don't know what the quantities are like compared to other pain relieving over the counter meds.

Taking any medication over the stated dose withou doctor supervision is dangerous yeah but solpedeine seems to fester a greater "dependancy".

Red Sleeping Beauty

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/overthecounter-addictions-soaring-doctor-warns-1372359.html

Odysseus

I remember that article Alan, I work as a therapist in a methadone clinic, to date I have only seen one person placed on meth for OTC painkillers and they were started on methadone in a hospital following serious consequences due to the effects of ibupofen, due to taking the max recommended dose x 4 or 5 times.

As stated in the article everyone I have seen fitted the middle aged female profile. I'm just not sold on the idea, in most cases I do believe its mostly a psychological issue, however, that does not mean that it is not a problem for the individual.

angeldelight

Odysseus wrote: »

I remember that article Alan, I work as a therapist in a methadone clinic, to date I have only seen one person placed on meth for OTC painkillers and they were started on methadone in a hospital following serious consequences due to the effects of ibupofen, due to taking the max recommended dose x 4 or 5 times.

I don't understand how methadone would help for ibuprofen dependency?? It wouldn't occupy any of the same receptors or anything... it wouldn't have been Nurofen Plus by any chance?

Red Sleeping Beauty

Odysseus wrote: »

I remember that article Alan, I work as a therapist in a methadone clinic, to date I have only seen one person placed on meth for OTC painkillers and they were started on methadone in a hospital following serious consequences due to the effects of ibupofen, due to taking the max recommended dose x 4 or 5 times.

As stated in the article everyone I have seen fitted the middle aged female profile. I'm just not sold on the idea, in most cases I do believe its mostly a psychological issue, however, that does not mean that it is not a problem for the individual.

This is the point exactly. How many people are going to go to a doctor and say "help, I'm addicted to a non-prescription over the counter tablet for headaches " ?

Addictions to other hard/illegal drugs affects your whole life. An addiction to Solpadiene will cause you health problems in the long run I'd assume but aside from having to make multiple trips to various chemists and perhaps hiding them from others , I don't know how much of a profound impact taking 8doses of Solpadeine every day for 10 years will have. I could be totally wrong and I'm out of my depth as I'm not a pro but I've seen it.

54kroc

Is Solpadol the same thing? These things are always around the house they have 500mg paracetamol 30mg codeine phosphate hemihydrate, is this bad? I've always taken them for headaches and such.

Gazza22

cork45 wrote: »

Is Solpadol the same thing? These things are always around the house they have 500mg paracetamol 30mg codeine phosphate hemihydrate, is this bad? I've always taken them for headaches and such.

Solpadol contains a much higher amount of codeine and is used to treat severe pain. I wouldn't take Solpadol routinely for a headache.

Odysseus

angeldelight wrote: »

I don't understand how methadone would help for ibuprofen dependency?? It wouldn't occupy any of the same receptors or anything... it wouldn't have been Nurofen Plus by any chance?

Yes sorry, that's correct I was just been lazy and not typing Nurofen +

Odysseus

Alan Rouge wrote: »

This is the point exactly. How many people are going to go to a doctor and say "help, I'm addicted to a non-prescription over the counter tablet for headaches " ?

Addictions to other hard/illegal drugs affects your whole life. An addiction to Solpadiene will cause you health problems in the long run I'd assume but aside from having to make multiple trips to various chemists and perhaps hiding them from others , I don't know how much of a profound impact taking 8doses of Solpadeine every day for 10 years will have. I could be totally wrong and I'm out of my depth as I'm not a pro but I've seen it.

I don't think I have recieved any referrals from GP's on this issue, most of the cases I dealt with came through the local psych services, where the GP had referred to them for an other issue and this Solpadeine issue arose during that assessment.

However, I was taking to a local GP the other day who was amazed when I told him he could refer directly to me, so it could be down to a lack of knowlegde that I'm not seeing that many, 3 or 4 a year max.

I don't think the codeine intake at that level who have any effect it would be the long term use or paracetamol that would concern me. I would be interested in what the medics here would think of such a long term use of paracetamol. Long-term use of opiates are unlikely to cause serious problems, apart from the addiction. Its often the associated lifestyle and impurities that cause bigger problems.

Certainly your right its not going to have any of the severe health/psycho-social issues that heroin or coke use would present. From my veiwpoint its about the effect its having on the person. As I said I'm not sure if such a small dose of codeine can caise physical dependence, I actually don't think so. However, if a person come to my place of work with this issue I work with them and leave my questions aside, if you follow.

I just don't want you thinking that I would raise my own questions about it with a client.

angeldelight

Odysseus wrote: »

Yes sorry, that's correct I was just been lazy and not typing Nurofen +

Well in that's another drug that's as prone to abuse as Solpadeine is - in fact it contains more codeine than Solpadeine.

Odysseus

angeldelight wrote: »

Well in that's another drug that's as prone to abuse as Solpadeine is - in fact it contains more codeine than Solpadeine.

I know I just presumed that people would make the connection without me having to state it, and of course my post was at 7.28 A.M.:)

Red Sleeping Beauty

Odysseus wrote: »

I don't think I have recieved any referrals from GP's on this issue, most of the cases I dealt with came through the local psych services, where the GP had referred to them for an other issue and this Solpadeine issue arose during that assessment.

However, I was taking to a local GP the other day who was amazed when I told him he could refer directly to me, so it could be down to a lack of knowlegde that I'm not seeing that many, 3 or 4 a year max.

I don't think the codeine intake at that level who have any effect it would be the long term use or paracetamol that would concern me. I would be interested in what the medics here would think of such a long term use of paracetamol. Long-term use of opiates are unlikely to cause serious problems, apart from the addiction. Its often the associated lifestyle and impurities that cause bigger problems.

Certainly your right its not going to have any of the severe health/psycho-social issues that heroin or coke use would present. From my veiwpoint its about the effect its having on the person. As I said I'm not sure if such a small dose of codeine can caise physical dependence, I actually don't think so. However, if a person come to my place of work with this issue I work with them and leave my questions aside, if you follow.

I just don't want you thinking that I would raise my own questions about it with a client.

Bit odd that a GP didn't know to refer someone on for addiction I'd assume that's a given...

Anyway, with regards the effect taking two 24 packs of Solpadeine a week.... I'd imagine that it's a long term effect, as in when you're 15years down the line you could end up liver failure.

Odysseus

Alan Rouge wrote: »

Bit odd that a GP didn't know to refer someone on for addiction I'd assume that's a given...

Anyway, with regards the effect taking two 24 packs of Solpadeine a week.... I'd imagine that it's a long term effect, as in when you're 15years down the line you could end up liver failure.

Sorry Alan, maybe I wasn't clear enough in my post, I was referrring to accessing my service. However, apart from the fact that this quy is quite experienced around addiction, I think that's it a common misconception that the Addiction Services only really deal with severe opiate problems.

I'm looking at trying to contact GPs in my area around this with my co-worker but we have to be conscious that we could then be overloaded, as there are onlu ywo of us for the area. Apart from alcohol we we deal psychologically with any drug problem and the associated traumas.

As to the long term effects of paracetamol I haven't a clue especially if you taling about the long term effects of a dose within therapeutic range. I would be interested in that knowing that myself. I must ask one of our medics on Monday.

mountain

one of the problems with solpadeine, is that it causes "rebound headaches"
you feel a headache coming on, and take some, the body associates headaches with the solp, and headaches become more frequent, thus increasing the need for solp.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebound_headache

there is a website for any one wanting more info on over the counter addictions,
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/overcount/index.htm

54kroc

mountain wrote: »

one of the problems with solpadeine, is that it causes "rebound headaches"
you feel a headache coming on, and take some, the body associates headaches with the solp, and headaches become more frequent, thus increasing the need for solp.

Jesus man that sounds very familiar to myself.

mountain

cork45 wrote: »

Jesus man that sounds very familiar to myself.

im only speaking from personal experience, not a medical background, but what worked for me was reducing the dose, take one instead of 2, and try and wean yourself off like that.

DublinWriter

Let's just say I had a friend who was addicted to Solpadeine for the past part of 15 years.

There's an element of 'process' addiction in it to be sure, but I wouldn't underestimate the physical withdrawal symptoms (stomach cramps, headaches, irritability).

Codeine is an opiate after all. A lot of top nazis were serious addicts, including Hitler himself.