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

laugh · 17-07-2010 2:17pm #1

*** THE PERSON WHO GAVE ME THE INFORMATION BELOW APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN INCORRECT ***

Maybe I've been living under a rock in regard to this.

The chemist mentioned this morning that from the 1st of August you will need a prescription to buy painkillers containing codeine.

I'm thinking it will drive people who wouldn't have previously considered buying medicines online to do so.

Apologies if this has been discussed before.

Biggins · 17-07-2010 2:19pm

True, very true.
Apparently Solpadine alone can be an addictive substance.
Soon to be prescription only.

(The wife used to take it for the headaches she grew when she saw the many a time I was randy!)

alwaysadub · 17-07-2010 2:20pm

That's the 1st i've heard of it too.

I won't be paying out 55quid to go see a doctor for some nurofen anyway!

Coriolanus · 17-07-2010 2:20pm

Jesus. It'll be cheaper and more convenient to ask my dealer to start stocking it.

Royale with Cheese · 17-07-2010 2:22pm

Time to stock up.

Tar.Aldarion · 17-07-2010 2:22pm

good sctuff :pac:

Biggins · 17-07-2010 2:23pm

Royale with Cheese wrote: »

Time to stock up.

You might be too late already.
A lot of supermarkets already have taken it off the shelves.

Bobeagleburger · 17-07-2010 2:25pm

Biggins wrote: »

(The wife used to take it for the headaches she grew when she saw the many a time I was randy!)

Your wife grew headaches when you got the horn?

?

Biggins · 17-07-2010 2:27pm

rarnes1 wrote: »

Your wife grew headaches when you got the horn?

?

Yea - welcome to marriage.

One of the possible side effects that was never mentioned in the description!

Bobeagleburger · 17-07-2010 2:28pm

Biggins wrote: »

Yea - welcome to marriage.

Can't wait !!

Biggins · 17-07-2010 2:29pm

rarnes1 wrote: »

Can't wait !!

Sometimes you will be...

Scuid Mhór · 17-07-2010 2:30pm

not solpadeine!

please god don't do this!

17-07-2010 2:30pm

I have only used such pain killers once and found them next to useless. No harm having them prescription controlled, as useless as they are for pain loads of folks swallow them far too regularly.

Biggins · 17-07-2010 2:31pm

Giant Squid wrote: »

not solpadeine!

please god don't do this!

Sorry but its very true.
Checkout www.mumstown.ie
The wife says there are discussing it there a fair bit and the ramifications!

Coriolanus · 17-07-2010 2:33pm

RoverJames wrote: »

I have only used such pain killers once and found them next to useless. No harm having them prescription controlled, as useless as they are for pain loads of folks swallow them far too regularly.

I could say (nearly) the same thing for blowjobs. Doesn't mean you should have to go to the doctor to be allowed have one.

gizmo · 17-07-2010 2:34pm

Ugh, Solphadine Plus Soluble has been my hangover cure for the last few years, hopefully they don't try and do it over here too.

As for the legitimacy of this report, anyone have any solid links or news stories about it?

Biggins · 17-07-2010 2:35pm

Nevore wrote: »

I could say (nearly) the same thing for blowjobs. Doesn't mean you should have to go to the doctor to be allowed have one.

Right... I'm off to see my doctors assistant nurse!

Greyfox · 17-07-2010 2:35pm

Hope this isn't true, I've to get a tooth out and Nurofen is an absolute must for this, just the principle of having to pay a doctor to see me for 20 seconds while I explain this makes me sick

Scuid Mhór · 17-07-2010 2:36pm

Biggins wrote: »

Sorry but its very true.
Checkout www.mumstown.ie
The wife says there are discussing it there a fair bit and the ramifications!

aw jeez. i disagree wholeheartedly with this decision.

plein de force · 17-07-2010 2:40pm

ah this is ridiculous
the vast majority of people don't get addicted to painkillers

now during the times i actually do need them i'll have to pay €50 to go see the doctor, inconvenience myself by going to the doctor not to mention the queues in the doctors when people who actually need the attention of a doc could use the appointments

Greenmachine · 17-07-2010 2:41pm

Biggins wrote: »

You might be too late already.
A lot of supermarkets already have taken it off the shelves.

Supermarket can sell product containing codeine. They have never been able to. They can only sell items off the GSL list. OTC codeine containing product are pharmacy only.

orourkeda · 17-07-2010 2:41pm

Nurofen tablets are for pussies.

Biggins · 17-07-2010 2:43pm

Greenmachine wrote: »

Supermarket can sell product containing codeine. They have never been able to. They can only sell items off the GSL list. OTC codeine containing product are pharmacy only.

The wife used to get solpadeine in one supermarket chain in our town that stocked it, all the time.

alwaysadub · 17-07-2010 2:49pm

From what i can see, its only going to be available over the counter in chemists now-i can't see anything bout needing an actual prescription for it
Full thing bout it here:
http://www.pharmaceuticalsociety.ie/News/Latest_News/Pharmacy_Regulator_Issues_Guidance_on_Codeine_Medicines.html

Additionally, the guidance states that these medicines must only be supplied by, or under the personal supervision of, a pharmacist.

Non-prescription ‘combination’ products, containing codeine and
paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, should be supplied only when the

pharmacist is satisfied that, in the exercise of his or her professional

judgement, the supply of such a medicine is the most appropriate therapy
available at the time and that such supply is in the best interest of the
patient. For pain relief, single ingredient medicinal products such as

paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, should be used first in line with pain

protocols and current evidence-based practice. Codeine-containing medicinal
products should be supplied as ‘second line’ products for the treatment of
pain relief, when the above products have not shown to be effective.

DetectivFoxtrot · 17-07-2010 2:51pm

Neurofen + are brill for hangovers and period pain. Can't believe they're going prescription based. That is totally clogging up GPs time.
Also, by the time you make you appt, travel to doc, experience a 45 minute delay, see doc, discuss your headache symptoms, I reckon the oul headache might be gone. it's a joke......

Bobeagleburger · 17-07-2010 2:53pm

orourkeda wrote: »

Nurofen tablets are for pussies.

Yeah, I heard they are good for period pain alright.

sellerbarry · 17-07-2010 2:54pm

Grand. I'll be able to get em on the medical card now.:D

laugh · 17-07-2010 2:55pm

alwaysadub wrote: »

From what i can see, its only going to be available over the counter in chemists now-i can't see anything bout needing an actual prescription for it
Full thing bout it here:
http://www.pharmaceuticalsociety.ie/News/Latest_News/Pharmacy_Regulator_Issues_Guidance_on_Codeine_Medicines.html

Hmm this is what the person in the chemist said to me, I tried to open a pdf on that website to learn more but it gives an error.

yogy · 17-07-2010 2:58pm

Biggins wrote: »

You might be too late already.
A lot of supermarkets already have taken it off the shelves.

None of these products containing codeine have ever been sold in supermarkets in the ROI, strictly pharmacy only.

All of these products will still be available from your pharmacy WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION, however changes on their supply are due to be implemented. e.g. they can no longer be put on display but instead inside the dispensary, stricter pharmacist supervision of sale etc.

Can anyone at all provide any credible links to the mis information being spouted here?

Nurofen will still be available as normal as IT DOES NOT CONTAIN CODEINE.

It is only Nurofen Plus, Solpadeine, Maxilief, Panadeine, Codinex Linctus that will be affected.

With only 8mg of codeine in these products the codeine does **** all for the headache, just leaves vulnerable people susceptible to rebound headaches, addiction, ulceration of stomach etc.

alwaysadub · 17-07-2010 3:01pm

laugh wrote: »

Hmm this is what the person in the chemist said to me, I tried to open a pdf on that website to learn more but it gives an error.

It's very long and kinda complicated! I could be just reading into it wrong tbh-doesn't seem to give a straight answer either way!

Biggins · 17-07-2010 3:04pm

yogy wrote: »

None of these products containing codeine have ever been sold in supermarkets, strictly pharmacy only.

Opps then, cos someone locally was breaking the rules. :pac:
Gone now anyway.

ceadaoin. · 17-07-2010 3:09pm

Nurofen plus are literally the only thing that works for hangovers. Aren't they always behind the counter though? You can't just pick them up from a shelf

I've seen a few articles lately about a big rise in people getting addicted to tablets containing codeine. It is an opiate and apparently metabolises into morphine in the body or something which is why it is addictive. Seems silly making it prescription only though

yogy · 17-07-2010 3:11pm

ceadaoin. wrote: »

Nurofen plus are literally the only thing that works for hangovers. Aren't they always behind the counter though? You can't just pick them up from a shelf

I've seen a few articles lately about a big rise in people getting addicted to tablets containing codeine. It is an opiate and apparently metabolises into morphine in the body which is why it is addictive. Seems silly making it prescription only though.

Behind the counter but still on display! No more displaying of such products..

laugh · 17-07-2010 3:12pm

yogy wrote: »

Can anyone at all provide any credible links to the mis information being spouted here?

Nurofen will still be available as normal as IT DOES NOT CONTAIN CODEINE.

It is only Nurofen Plus, Solpadeine, Maxilief, Panadeine, Codinex Linctus that will be affected.

With only 8mg of codeine in these products the codeine does **** all for the headache, just leaves vulnerable susceptible to rebound headaches, addiction, ulceration of stomach etc.

The person in pharmacy said it to me, they must have been mistaken.

I mean Nurofen Plus, the Nurofen that people actually buy.

The codeine must do something or else it wouldn't be in there?

It appears that the qualified pharmacist will decide on a case by case basis if you can have it? I can't see that going down well.

WindSock · 17-07-2010 3:15pm

All Nurofen or just Nurofen plus?

I have a big tub of Nurofen that I got up North. Great value for money. It is the only thing that works for my headaches. Nurofen + doesn't even work as well. Guess I am compatible (or non?) with just Ibuprofene. Panadene doesn't even work.
I had better stock up next time if it is just Nurofen they are taking off the shelves. A load of bollocks. Just like when they pulled St Johns Wort.

Gummy Panda · 17-07-2010 3:19pm

No not my nurofen plus I like that stuff for headaches and migraines.

Biggins · 17-07-2010 3:22pm

WindSock wrote: »

...I had better stock up next time if it is just Nurofen they are taking off the shelves. A load of bollocks. Just like when they pulled St Johns Wort.

...Just like the special baby "Gripe water" that used to be available for babies with the croup.
Good luck trying to get that now south of the border. Still available up north.

alwaysadub · 17-07-2010 3:23pm

Biggins wrote: »

...Just like the special baby "Gripe water" that used to be available for babies with the croup.
Good luck trying to get that now south of the border. Still available up north.

You can't get gripe water anymore??

Biggins · 17-07-2010 3:24pm

alwaysadub wrote: »

You can't get gripe water anymore??

Nope, not at all the chemists in my home town.
They tell me they are not allowed stock it.
We have 4 kids so you can imagine how many times we have had to go looking for it at times.

A friend brought us a few bottles down from Newry thankfully.

Odysseus · 17-07-2010 3:27pm

OTC codeine based pain killers are not to become POM, Presrciption Only Medication as far as I know, imo it would be useless to do so. There are other OTC codeine only products available if you know what to ask for and where to go that have a higher potential for abuse. I generally treat about 10 people a year for codeine and other based pain killers, generally middle class though not always and mostly middle aged women.

The thing is at the max of 8 a day I don't really believe their is much potential for addiction in the physical sense. For years, I was not a believer in it as such, but I started to see more and more people present for treatment, I work in the Addiction Services. They can produce a strong psychological addiction and the big broblem is not the codeine but the potential for liver damage or stomach problems for the other active ingredients.

I did actually lose one client due to the significant problems caused to her staomach through exceeding the recommened dose X7 or 8. The person ended up in a coma, lost a significant anount of their colon. They ended up on methadone with us, but by then things had gone too far. I actually remember the last contact she had with us, I had to call an ambulance for her as she could not make it up the stairs to our service.

Lovely woman sad last memory of her being carted out by the crew, she was dead within a fortnight.

However, I still don't think they should be POM, yes some things have a higher potential for addiction, but it is also about what the person invests psychologically into the drug. I got a recent referral form a psych unit for another middle aged woman abusing OTC antihistamines, first time for everything I suppose.

If we started to invest in services to help these people it would be a better option than our usual approach of "Oh look some is using/abusing some chemical, lets ban it or make it harder for them to get". If people need to seek solice in something of a chemical nature to the point it may be damaging the person or causing them problems in their life, making that substance harder to get will not solve the problem.

WindSock · 17-07-2010 3:28pm

Biggins wrote: »

...Just like the special baby "Gripe water" that used to be available for babies with the croup.
Good luck trying to get that now south of the border. Still available up north.

Just looked that up. All natural ingredients, how could they ban it?

Seriously though, I don't mind giving my money over up North or to criminals who can supply me with what I need/want down here if I have to. The only problem is that it is a little inconvenient. Not as much an inconvenience than booking in to see the doc, waiting then parting with €50-60 in the hope that I get a little codeine. Hell feck it, if I have to go through that much trouble I may as well go all out and try to wangle something harder from them.

yogy · 17-07-2010 3:29pm

laugh wrote: »

The codeine must do something or else it wouldn't be in there?

Technically it's an analgesic but it's more or less a suboptimal dose you are getting.

It's all to do with marketing!

Generic Paracetamol (500mg) 24 pack.......€2.32

Solpadeine Soluble (500mg + Codeine 8mg) 24 pack.....€6.96

Do the math..

Odysseus · 17-07-2010 3:30pm

Biggins wrote: »

...Just like the special baby "Gripe water" that used to be available for babies with the croup.
Good luck trying to get that now south of the border. Still available up north.

Didn't you post something today about people who bring drugs into the country being shot?;)

phasers · 17-07-2010 3:31pm

Ah ffs, I need solpadine!

I don't wanna have to go to my GP every time I have cramps or a headache, that'd get expensive.

Biggins · 17-07-2010 3:33pm

Odysseus wrote: »

Didn't you post something today about people who bring drugs into the country being shot?

I did. Illegal ones that are listed as class "A" or "B" etc...
Gripe water (liquid) is in a whole different ball game altogether.

gbee · 17-07-2010 3:42pm

sellerbarry wrote: »

Grand. I'll be able to get em on the medical card now.:D

Far as I know, they are not on the list of medicines available for free on the MC ~ We had a MC up to about three years ago and my wife could not get her Solpadeine on the card.

Das Kitty · 17-07-2010 3:43pm

Biggins wrote: »

...Just like the special baby "Gripe water" that used to be available for babies with the croup.
Good luck trying to get that now south of the border. Still available up north.

It's not banned in Ireland, not in its current guise.

It used to contain alcohol, 5-8% depending on the brand. It was banned and withdrawn from the market and reformulated. It was reintroduced in the UK, but Irish pharmacies didn't for some reason. You can buy it in certain shops though.

It's for helping burping though, not for croup which is a respiratory illness.

TBH I think codiene should be a bit more controlled, there are a lot of people addicted, even some who may not know that they are.

Krieg · 17-07-2010 3:44pm

I'm still having difficulty believing this. I can't find any news articles about it

Coriolanus · 17-07-2010 3:45pm

Biggins wrote: »

I did. Illegal ones that are listed as class "A" or "B" etc...
Gripe water (liquid) is in a whole different ball game altogether.

Well, you didn't qualify your previous post with that caveat. :P
Oh, and for everyone who insists on using Human Traffic as their reference to Irish drug laws, we don't have classes, we have schedules.
Schedule 1 is the section for non-medicinal use "illegal" drugs.
Schedule 2 are legal but controlled.
Schedule 3 are legal and slightly less controlled.
And so forth.

Funnily enough hash and other relatively harmless drugs are schedule 1. Cocaine and heroin on the other hand are all schedule 2.

Das Kitty · 17-07-2010 3:45pm

gbee wrote: »

Far as I know, they are not on the list of medicines available for free on the MC ~ We had a MC up to about three years ago and my wife could not get her Solpadeine on the card.

It's on the drug payment scheme for sure, but only in certain size packs. Dunno if it's the same with the medical card.

Odysseus · 17-07-2010 3:48pm

gbee wrote: »

Far as I know, they are not on the list of medicines available for free on the MC ~ We had a MC up to about three years ago and my wife could not get her Solpadeine on the card.

Stronger ones are though and often handed out like smarties, like tylex which cotain 30mg of codeine rather than the 8mg in Solpadeine. My mams GP gives her 180 of them a month, even though she has asked form them to be removed on a few occassions.

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

Comments