COUGH and cold medicines are being pulled from shop shelves over allergic shock fears.
Drugs including Day Nurse and Night Nurse are being taken off the British market due to a “very rare” risk of anaphylaxis.
AlamyDrugs including Day Nurse and Night Nurse are being taken off the British market due to a “very rare” risk of anaphylaxis. The products being recalled also include Covonia as well as own-brand versions of the remedies from Boots and Superdrug[/caption]
The reaction — also known as anaphylactic shock — is severe and potentially life-threatening.
All products that contain the cough suppressant pholcodine, including Covonia as well as own-brand remedies from Boots and Superdrug, are being recalled.
A Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency spokesperson described the move as a “precaution”.
Thorrun Govind, chair of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said: “Withdrawal is the safest option and is in line with action already taken by the European Medicines Agency.
“Patients with products in the home that contain pholcodine, such as Day Nurse, can still use them to treat symptoms of cold and flu.
“Pharmacists can advise on appropriate treatment alternatives if someone is concerned.”
Patients could be at risk of the reaction when going under general anaesthesia using neuromuscular blocking agents if they took products containing pholcodine a year before.
The MHRA said benefits of the medicines “do not outweigh the increased risk of the very rare event of anaphylaxis”.
Anaphylactic shock symptoms include light-headedness, breathing difficulties, wheezing, a fast heartbeat and clammy skin.
If it occurs during an operation, anaesthetists are highly trained to manage it, the MHRA said.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer said: “Safety is our top priority, and we keep the safety of medicines under continual review.
“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.”
Patients with an operation under general anaesthesia scheduled should tell their anaesthetist if they think they have had pholcodine in the past 12 months, she added.