Key Summary
- Scotland faces a Co-Codamol 30/500mg shortage until June, caused by delays in Indian codeine API export approvals.
- Most patients (except cancer patients) are being asked to gradually reduce use, as sudden stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms like headaches, nausea and increased pain.
- No new prescriptions will be issued for now, and health boards are concerned that alternatives may not fully meet demand.
Scottish government has declared the shortage of co-codamol 30/500mg, a popular prescription-based painkiller, until June this year.
The shortage is being caused due to delayed authorisation by the Indian government regarding imports of codeine-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) - which are required for co-codamol, BBC reports.
Co-codamol comes in 8mg, 15mg, 30mg and as a 500mg of paracetamol.
Although there are alternatives to the drug, some health boards are concerned they may not be enough to cope with the demand.
Patients are being suggested to reduce their co-codamol intake gradually, as a sudden stoppage could trigger withdrawal symptoms, as co-codamol contains codeine, an opiate.
All the patients, apart from those suffering cancer, have been urged to reduce the number of tablets they consume.
The withdrawal symptoms include headaches, nausea, sweating, and even increased pain.
From now, no patients will be prescribed co-codamol until the shortage issue is resolved.
