Soon to need a prescription for Nurofen/Solphadine/etc?

Stephen P · 02-08-2010 11:11AM

I know of one woman who is seriously addicted and she'll be going cold turkey without them. Myself and my wife I would say are borderline addicted. It's very easy to depend on them for the littlest of pains. I've tried numerous pain killers for my neck pain and they all had little or no affect. I am going to investigate the pain further with my GP.
I do agree with you these new regulations will have a positive impact going forward.

Gone West · 02-08-2010 11:40AM

Whats the big deal, nurofen plus is not even really very strong...
12.5mg of coedine is nothing.
You can buy 50mg tablets over the counter in other countries in packets of 30.
Real painkillers you don't have to mix with ibuprofen and paracetamol.
Take one (or break it in half on the line and take a half) for proper pain relief.

I think it is safer than popping a couple of nurofen + with almost no effect, and later taking a couple of panadol, as the pharmacist suggested... 4 pills for a very minor pain relief, jaysus!

Ann22 · 02-08-2010 11:50AM

I suffer from excrutiating pain in my neck from muscle spasms. I can't take anti inflammatories as they counteraffect my bp medication. Syndol really help me, when it's bad I'd get no sleep without them. I also suffer from severe localised Classical Migraine, so I need to have some kind of codeine based pain killer in the house at all times. My oh went into Boots this morning to get me some but the chemist wouldn't give them to him. I really hope I can get them myself later. Does anyone know if these regulations apply up north?

bleg · 02-08-2010 12:01PM

Ann22 wrote: »

I suffer from excrutiating pain in my neck from muscle spasms. I can't take anti inflammatories as they counteraffect my bp medication. Syndol really help me, when it's bad I'd get no sleep without them. I also suffer from severe localised Classical Migraine, so I need to have some kind of codeine based pain killer in the house at all times. My oh went into Boots this morning to get me some but the chemist wouldn't give them to him. I really hope I can get them myself later. Does anyone know if these regulations apply up north?

Go to your GP, explain your situation.

Ann22 · 02-08-2010 12:14PM

bleg wrote: »

Go to your GP, explain your situation.

I will though he last time I went she gave me Tegretol which is an anti depressant that is also used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. They did work but they gave me really bad heartburn. She also said that I should go for physical therapy. I do attend a therapist regularly but either it doesn't work or it makes it worse.I really don't want to be taking really strong prescription tablets like Tradol etc as the Syndol do work and they're not as strong. It just a lot of hassle to have to worry about getting them.

bleg · 02-08-2010 12:27PM

Ann22 wrote: »

I will though he last time I went she gave me Tegretol which is an anti depressant that is also used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. They did work but they gave me really bad heartburn. She also said that I should go for physical therapy. I do attend a therapist regularly but either it doesn't work or it makes it worse.I really don't want to be taking really strong prescription tablets like Tradol etc as the Syndol do work and they're not as strong. It just a lot of hassle to have to worry about getting them.

These are all things you need to discuss with your GP.

yogy · 02-08-2010 11:18PM

Ann22 wrote: »

I will though he last time I went she gave me Tegretol which is an anti depressant that is also used to treat trigeminal neuralgia. They did work but they gave me really bad heartburn. She also said that I should go for physical therapy. I do attend a therapist regularly but either it doesn't work or it makes it worse.I really don't want to be taking really strong prescription tablets like Tradol etc as the Syndol do work and they're not as strong. It just a lot of hassle to have to worry about getting them.

Tegretol was a correct choice made by your GP. Also her advice about PT was spot on. You obviously went surfing the net and misinformed yourself about what Tegretol is. It is a drug used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Trigeminal neuralgia is a form of nerve pain. It is used to treat bipolar depression also. The treatment of this is very different to that of depression. But you have tried to research this and got your wires crossed.

Your doctor knows what she is on about. You do not. Put up with the heartburn and maybe take an acid inhibitor to overcome it. You will thank her in the long run instead of getting hooked on Tradol, Syndol and all that bollix..

Ann22 · 03-08-2010 12:21AM

yogy wrote: »

Tegretol was a correct choice made by your GP. Also her advice about PT was spot on. You obviously went surfing the net and misinformed yourself about what Tegretol is. It is a drug used to treat epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Trigeminal neuralgia is a form of nerve pain. It is used to treat bipolar depression also. The treatment of this is very different to that of depression. But you have tried to research this and got your wires crossed.

Your doctor knows what she is on about. You do not. Put up with the heartburn and maybe take an acid inhibitor to overcome it. You will thank her in the long run instead of getting hooked on Tradol, Syndol and all that bollix..

I didn't surf the net actually. I actually read the leaflet that came with it and I knew it was sometimes prescribed for some kind of depression, it was a few years ago now and I can't remember now what type of depression it was. I just mentioned that in my post in case anyone reading thought I was on it for that reason and suspected I was maybe a depression sufferer and was depending on Syndol to make me feel better.

I read all med leaflets and I do make sure I know what I'm taking, what the side effects are and what meds to avoid. Obviously, I'm aware that the doctor knows what she's talking about and prescribed me the correct meds. I never said she didn't :rolleyes:.

Fyr I was on antacids constantly when i was on Tegretol but got very little relief from them. My stomach became very inflamed. I'd rather put up with intermittent pain than a gastric ulcer.

Alicat · 03-08-2010 12:35AM

Just bear in mind that pharmacies are often subject to 'mystery shoppers', to check we are sticking to the regulations. We HAVE to give the big talk to anyone who wants to purchase Codeine products.

Gone West · 03-08-2010 07:18PM

sesna wrote: »

Thats why you take two tablets per dose. Also are you suggesting the Irish Medicines Board were negligent in their duty when they approved these codeine medicines as being efficacious.

Negligent, no!
The whole thing is massively over-regulated.

Sort out the junkies before ye start restricting low-strength pain medication.
Its just pointless, that in Ireland if you need codeine for pain relief that you have to take 2 x 200mg of ibuprofen at the same time.

gbee · 04-08-2010 11:41PM

My wife today was refused by her own chemist who said she must get it on prescription from her doctor.

Another chemist said she must have a doctor's note.

Stephen P · 05-08-2010 06:44AM

That's a load of bull, the rules don't specifically say a prescription is needed. I got them yesterday after I said I never take them for more than 3 days. They said for long term use get a prescription, they were "ok" about it. Every chemist will have a different approach.

legals81 · 05-08-2010 01:55PM

Went into a very well known chemist chain and asked for Nurofen Plus, was told i had to see the Pharmacist, there was a big queue of people waiting for the same thing so i didnt hang around. Went to another chemist up the road and got a 24 pack no problem. Got the three day warning thing but no major hassle.

I think after the initial panic buying that people seem to be doing it will ease up a bit.

ynul31f47k6b59 · 06-08-2010 04:58PM

Guys this might be a teeny bit OT, but I just thought I'd share my story about Solpadeine while I have the balls to do so:

I started taking Solpadeine about 5 years ago, initally for migraine/period pain/back pain whatever pain I happened to have at the time. Up to last year, I was taking two in the morning for absolutely no reason, and as time went on, it gradually went from two in the morning to two in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two in the evening. And an extra two if i felt nervous, anxious, or annoyed. I'd even started to go to different chemists to get it. I knew it was ridiculous, and expensive, but I used to panic if i was running low on it. I hid the wrappers so that my other half wouldn't find them.

Then, last November, my son was rushed to hospital after a bad breathing attack. I had to stay with him in Mullingar for a week. I can honestly say, that I didn't think of the Solpadeine once after the first day - the first night, I had a banging headache, but I could hardly ask the Nurse for some Solpadeine, so I just drank lots of water and went to sleep. The worry of the whole situation surpassed the worry about the solpadeine, and I haven't bought them since.

I think that in one way, the new regulations are good, because they prevent people from doing long-term damage to their livers, and it makes them face up to the fact that they have a problem. I know it's very, very hard to beat any kind of addiction, but for those who find it hard - try a placebo. If you were taking two soluble tablets at a certain time, then try a glass of 7up or water at that same time - keep the routine, but cut the codeine out of it. That sounds so stupid, but anyone who can trick themself into thinking they have a headache just so that they can take painkillers is more than capable of tricking themself into thinking that they've just taken some.

I hope the chemists don't ease up, and that might sound harsh, but I was completely addicted and I would have continued on buying them every couple of days. I know that it's really, really inconvenient for those who weren't addicted, and genuinely just buy them when they need them, but for others, it could mean the difference between a lifelong addiction and facing up to it. Sorry for rambling, just thought I'd share x

moonboy52 · 06-08-2010 05:09PM

Jett Orange Strangeness wrote: »

Guys this might be a teeny bit OT, but I just thought I'd share my story about Solpadeine while I have the balls to do so:

I started taking Solpadeine about 5 years ago, initally for migraine/period pain/back pain whatever pain I happened to have at the time. Up to last year, I was taking two in the morning for absolutely no reason, and as time went on, it gradually went from two in the morning to two in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two in the evening. And an extra two if i felt nervous, anxious, or annoyed. I'd even started to go to different chemists to get it. I knew it was ridiculous, and expensive, but I used to panic if i was running low on it. I hid the wrappers so that my other half wouldn't find them.

Then, last November, my son was rushed to hospital after a bad breathing attack. I had to stay with him in Mullingar for a week. I can honestly say, that I didn't think of the Solpadeine once after the first day - the first night, I had a banging headache, but I could hardly ask the Nurse for some Solpadeine, so I just drank lots of water and went to sleep. The worry of the whole situation surpassed the worry about the solpadeine, and I haven't bought them since.

I think that in one way, the new regulations are good, because they prevent people from doing long-term damage to their livers, and it makes them face up to the fact that they have a problem. I know it's very, very hard to beat any kind of addiction, but for those who find it hard - try a placebo. If you were taking two soluble tablets at a certain time, then try a glass of 7up or water at that same time - keep the routine, but cut the codeine out of it. That sounds so stupid, but anyone who can trick themself into thinking they have a headache just so that they can take painkillers is more than capable of tricking themself into thinking that they've just taken some.

I hope the chemists don't ease up, and that might sound harsh, but I was completely addicted and I would have continued on buying them every couple of days. I know that it's really, really inconvenient for those who weren't addicted, and genuinely just buy them when they need them, but for others, it could mean the difference between a lifelong addiction and facing up to it. Sorry for rambling, just thought I'd share x

We all have it in us to abuse drugs.

My question is why do the vast majority have to pay the price for the actions of the few.

It is not my fault that certain people became addicted.

Like with any other drug (Booze, Cigs etc) we are all adults and as such know the consequences of abuse. I should have the choice to get effective painkilling medication when needed, without having to go thru a doctor or some pharmacist and explain things.

Cheap Thrills! · 06-08-2010 05:11PM

I was sold a box very easily at lunchtime for period pain, thankfully as paracetemol isn't worth a button for it.

ynul31f47k6b59 · 06-08-2010 05:16PM

Moonboy - you're right, of course you are. My problem was completely 100% my fault, I knew I was doing the wrong thing, and it's unfair that others will now be seriously inconvenienced because of people who abused the stuff like I did. I just wonder if it really is "the vast majority" who were using codeine-based products responsibly?

I can't really see pharmacists continuing this "line-up" procedure in chemists, and I do imagine it'll die down eventually - especially coming up to Christmas, could you imagine it happening then? Not likely. They'll be dishing them out again as normal. I just do think that it's a good kick up the bum for people who pretend that they don't have a problem with painkillers, and I don't mean that in a nasty, smartass way - I mean it in the way that it might finally make people look at what they're doing and come to terms with it.

gbee · 06-08-2010 09:56PM

My addicted wife is going up the walls, three chemist have refused, one demanding a prescription, one a doctor's note and after filling out a few forms was told she was taking too much so would not get any.

Ali Babba · 06-08-2010 10:44PM

This will only create a black market for these kind of drugs in the long run.

yogy · 07-08-2010 07:20AM

moonboy52 wrote: »

We all have it in us to abuse drugs.
I should have the choice to get effective painkilling medication when needed, without having to go thru a doctor or some pharmacist and explain things.

No you shouldn't. The pharmacist/Doctor will decide what is the best medicine for you as they are trained to do so. You are not.

<Mod Snip: Please don't advise on medical issues>

gbee wrote: »

My addicted wife is going up the walls, three chemist have refused, one demanding a prescription, one a doctor's note and after filling out a few forms was told she was taking too much so would not get any.

Your wife is a drug addict and you give out about the fact that she is getting a hard time to get her fix because Pharmacists are acting in her best interest. Well done.

gbee · 07-08-2010 11:04AM

yogy wrote: »

Your wife is a drug addict and you give out about the fact that she is getting a hard time to get her fix because Pharmacists are acting in her best interest. Well done.

It's been discussed with my doctor many years ago. It was advised then that she stay on them, as coming off them is worse than off Heroine.

A search will produce a document where it is advised that all those addicted get a three week clinic and then go on Methadone ... but where is this treatment?

Wibbs · 07-08-2010 11:24AM

Jett Orange Strangeness wrote: »

Guys this might be a teeny bit OT, but I just thought I'd share my story about Solpadeine while I have the balls to do so:

I started taking Solpadeine about 5 years ago, initally for migraine/period pain/back pain whatever pain I happened to have at the time. Up to last year, I was taking two in the morning for absolutely no reason, and as time went on, it gradually went from two in the morning to two in the morning, two in the afternoon, and two in the evening. And an extra two if i felt nervous, anxious, or annoyed. I'd even started to go to different chemists to get it. I knew it was ridiculous, and expensive, but I used to panic if i was running low on it. I hid the wrappers so that my other half wouldn't find them.

Then, last November, my son was rushed to hospital after a bad breathing attack. I had to stay with him in Mullingar for a week. I can honestly say, that I didn't think of the Solpadeine once after the first day - the first night, I had a banging headache, but I could hardly ask the Nurse for some Solpadeine, so I just drank lots of water and went to sleep. The worry of the whole situation surpassed the worry about the solpadeine, and I haven't bought them since.

I think that in one way, the new regulations are good, because they prevent people from doing long-term damage to their livers, and it makes them face up to the fact that they have a problem. I know it's very, very hard to beat any kind of addiction, but for those who find it hard - try a placebo. If you were taking two soluble tablets at a certain time, then try a glass of 7up or water at that same time - keep the routine, but cut the codeine out of it. That sounds so stupid, but anyone who can trick themself into thinking they have a headache just so that they can take painkillers is more than capable of tricking themself into thinking that they've just taken some.

I hope the chemists don't ease up, and that might sound harsh, but I was completely addicted and I would have continued on buying them every couple of days. I know that it's really, really inconvenient for those who weren't addicted, and genuinely just buy them when they need them, but for others, it could mean the difference between a lifelong addiction and facing up to it. Sorry for rambling, just thought I'd share x

Fair play to you for admitting and sharing that. IMHO more should have thanked you. I know a fair few in a similar situation as you were and a couple worse too. It's quite the hidden problem IMHO.

gbee wrote: »

It's been discussed with my doctor many years ago. It was advised then that she stay on them, as coming off them is worse than off Heroine.

A search will produce a document where it is advised that all those addicted get a three week clinic and then go on Methadone ... but where is this treatment?

It depends on the dosage she's used to surely? I was on morphine in the past(broken jaw) for a week IIRC then onto a codiene based yoke Tylex(sp) for a month after. 30mgs of codeine with 500mgs of paracetamol IIRC. And it was pretty easy to come off that lot and I've an addictive personality. No methadone etc required. Now of course I was on that lot for just over a month so it hadnt gone long term, so that would obviously make a diff.

Actually maybe pharmacy types could explain this one? I was on those tylex things and while they took the edge off, I found when I got twinges again that solpadiene were more effective. Yet they have less codeine? I noticed they do have caffeine, is that what makes the diff? Or is it because they're soluable and hit the bloodstream in a bigger "rush" for want of a better word? I personally found in capsule form they did nada by comparison. Or am I just a freak?

Does the addition of caffeine both increase the opioid effect and increase the possibility of addiction? I hear of far more people getting hooked on solpadeine than on nurafen plus and AFAIR the latter doesnt have caffeine in it.

bleg · 07-08-2010 01:52PM

The caffeine is there to offset the drowsiness attributed to codeine as far as I remember. Not going to have much of an effect seeing as you're only getting 16mg and in your average run of the mill cup of tea there will be roughly 40mg.

Nurofen Plus would be the bigger seller in pharmacies than Solpadeine. I cannot anecdotally say whether this means more people are addicted to one or the other. There are bigger factors such as marketing at play.

Solpadeine would enter the blood stream more quickly. The drug is by and large already in solution by the time it is ingested. This is not the case with solid dosage forms e.g. Tylex, which must first be dissolved in the stomach before being absorbed. I could not say whether this is why you found the solpadeine to be more effective.

This is the principle by which panadol actifast works. It contains more disintegrants than normal panadol leading to a theoretically decreased dissolution time.

Odysseus · 07-08-2010 02:00PM

gbee wrote: »

It's been discussed with my doctor many years ago. It was advised then that she stay on them, as coming off them is worse than off Heroine.

A search will produce a document where it is advised that all those addicted get a three week clinic and then go on Methadone ... but where is this treatment?

Seriously a small amount of codeine worse than heroin, no chance. Treatment for all addictions is available from you local HSE methadone clinic. Few people who take solpadeine will need methadone, I worked with a good number of people taking codeine over the years, only ever had two people need methadone.

SeaFields · 07-08-2010 05:40PM

I work in a chemist. I'm not a pharmacist, dispenser, technician or anything - i just do a few hours at weekends and late nights. I have the training to work on the counter but its a rarity that I have to as we are generally not that busy. Actually being a scientific person by nature I took an interest in this codeine craze when i first starting working there as it was obvious that there was something "special" bout these medicines.

Anyway my experiences from the last couple of weeks....

I explained to one woman (early thirties) how new regulations were due to come in for codeine products including Nurofen+ which she had just requested. Her jaw genuinely dropped when I told her it was because of the codeine, what it was and the amount of people who were abusing it. She changed her request to normal nurofen and thanked me for the advice.

The day before the regulations came in man jumped the counter (codeine products were still on display) in a chemist down the street from us, grabbed all the N+ he could get a legged it! In the same chemist a few weeks back a druggie spat in the face of a member of staff who refused to give him N+.

One man asked me was it legal that I could refuse to sell him solpodeine for his infrequent sinus problem. I said it was due to new regulation on the sale of codeine products and offer him an alternative (Sinutab or Otravine Nasel spray)..."you're a fcuking disgrace, Im going to dunnes to get them" Good luck to him :pac:

Yesterday evening a man dropped in a carrier bag full to the top with various solpodeine products that he had found in his house, hidden by his wife and asked us to destroy them. I believe when the pharmacist counted them there was in the region of 60 boxes.

By in large most stories are like the first one - they are generally surprised to hear the codeine can be harmful long term and switch to an alternative painkiller. Others get very aggressive, even when your explain that a codeine painkiller wouldn't really have been the correct course of action in the first place for their problem (like sinus guy above). I dont think the chemists will ease up like one poster described. People will just get used to it not being available and switch.

Meanwhile the fun continues :cool:

worded · 07-08-2010 06:06PM

Nappy state.

A few years ago Magic Mushrooms were banned as someone was at a party and the DJ was playing "I believe I can fly" as he leaped from an apartment in Dun laoghaire

The head shops were recently banned.

Then to stop the big celtic party bingle FF helped us pour billions into the banks to empty our pockets, and our childerens pockets and their childerens childerens pockets and .................

If there is one lesson to be learned from all this, if you believe you can fly, try taking off from ground level flapping your arms/wings, dont be a glider type flyer on your first journey ....

sesna · 07-08-2010 06:46PM

worded wrote: »

Nappy state.

A few years ago Magic Mushrooms were banned as someone was at a party and the DJ was playing "I believe I can fly" as he leaped from an apartment in Dun laoghaire

The head shops were recently banned.

Then to stop the big celtic party bingle FF helped us pour billions into the banks to empty our pockets, and our childerens pockets and their childerens childerens pockets and .................

If there is one lesson to be learned from all this, if you believe you can fly, try taking off from ground level flapping your arms/wings, dont be a glider type flyer on your first journey ....

Why are you comparing recreational highs to pain relief? You seem to have a very wrong idea of the purpose of these medications.

Also, as much as I hate FF, what has NAMA got to do with any of these new codeine regulations?

Vladidim · 07-08-2010 06:50PM

gbee wrote: »

It's been discussed with my doctor many years ago. It was advised then that she stay on them, as coming off them is worse than off Heroine.

A search will produce a document where it is advised that all those addicted get a three week clinic and then go on Methadone ... but where is this treatment?

In that case get it on prescription. Your wife has a serious addiction problem and taking codeine for this purpose is against the over the counter licence. Also I'd suggest you get a second opinion if the best treatment your doctor came up was for her to stay on them.

worded · 07-08-2010 06:58PM

sesna wrote: »

Why are you comparing recreational highs to pain relief? You seem to have a very wrong idea of the purpose of these medications.

Also, as much as I hate FF, what has NAMA got to do with any of these new codeine regulations?

Well, you know, rabbits, tennis, you know that whole connection there Ted.

ynul31f47k6b59 · 07-08-2010 08:33PM

Vladidim wrote: »

In that case get it on prescription. Your wife has a serious addiction problem and taking codeine for this purpose is against the over the counter licence. Also I'd suggest you get a second opinion if the best treatment your doctor came up was for her to stay on them.

I completely agree with this post. I'd also advise changing your doctor, because any doctor that advises a codeine addict to "keep taking it" should be struck off IMHO. It's completely irresponsible. You should be supporting your wife to decrease her dosage gradually, to eventually come off the tablets - and I do NOT believe that someone who is addicted to nurofen + or solpadeine will have to go on a methadone programme, that's ludicrous.

Soon to need a prescription for Nurofen/Solphadine/etc?

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