Co-proxamol
Posted: Mon 31 January, 2005 Filed under: Health 868 Comments »Interesting to see today that the painkiller co-proxamol is to be scrapped. Apparently it’s been linked with up to 400 deaths per year and a study found it was the second biggest method of drug-related suicide in the UK, accounting for almost one in five deaths.
I’ve used co-proxamol before, and I can see why it’s easy to overdose on, either intentionally or accidentally. It’s a seriously heavy gun in the world of painkillers, and while it’s sad to see something so effective be withdrawn from the market, I can understand the reasons why it’s necessary to do so.
Thanks Russ.
The amount of hassle I have had as a result of the co-prox situation is incredible. They are (as it seems for many people) all that works for whats wrong (wish I don’t wish to go into).
Ive had to sit through lectures from Doctors about dangers of suicide etc. It sometimes felt that I was asking for the crown jewels. Ive read the nonsense thats been spoken about Co-Prox by the so called “experts” and Ive got my own theories. Remember when that Kelly bloke was found dead. Govt said he had cut his own wrists and taken co-prox to kill himself? Well anyone with a brain cell knows that guy was murdered, but the point being, its then that all the hassle surrounding co-prox started. It kind of highlighted co-prox for the wrong reasons.
All I know for sure is that these tablets work and allow me a decent quality of life – and Im sick of being made to feel like a criminal for wanting them.
The MHRA can take their brain cell and stick it in the hole they talk from!
😉
Anne, No, not hard to swallow my words at all. I dont do ego’s. If Im wrong, I’ll just say it. Their communications are c**p though and they need to let people know on their website whats going on. Ive told them that- and they have apologised to me as well. So everyone is happy now, I guess.
BTW, You were wrong when you called me bitter, but then I read what Russ put and Im happy to cut you some slack on that.
I am a bloke, that lives in the sticks and loves looking at the view I get from my window every morning before work. Its even better when Im not in pain – and today I wasnt – which is great. 🙂
Russ, re: posting 602, thank you for the clear concise view of the subject I needed for an argument!
My pills were delivered shortly after ordering, approx 10 days.
I am so grateful that I will not be a helpless pain scared person, the whole situation is dreadful, trying to get any logic seems like banging one’s head against a brick wall , with a migraine! Pain can reduce us to quivering wrecks and the solution is there but banned, madness.
Mike you keep going on about me calling you ..bitter ..well you will now know how i felt when you accused me of being a part of a scam ,i did not take too kindly to that ,ok ,i did help you and you got your tablets ,i hope you apologised to Jess also for calling them scammers .and thieves .we are all in pain .i am a nurse i see it almost every day ..i myself suffer from constant pain .due to my job …so can this be the end of it Mike ..TY
Anne, thats just about enough thank you. I came here IN GOOD FAITH having paid £100 into the unknown, heard nothing and read (via google searches) that they payment system being used is also used by scammers. I have thanked you enough now for emailing Jess, but the bottom line is, you shouldn’t have needed to, they should have been contacting me directly and should have answered one of my emails. I did not accuse you of being a scammer. I simply pointed out how things may have looked.
I had every right (when taking into account recent events in Stafford) to suspect foul play and I am GLAD that I was wrong. I have come here and set the record straight. I have thanked Jess and Claire for their help, apologised for getting angry but pointed out to them that their system sucks and the website SHOULD tell people in advance of the problems. They accept that. Why cant you?
At no time have I made ANY bitter comments at all and you were well out of order with your comments. Its a shame that you dont seem able to apologise as well, but then, some people are like that.
Remember, whist Jess and her colleagues are providing a very valuable service, they are also making a very tidy profit on these and other tabs they sell. No one is giving these tablets to me for free!!
I wasn’t bitter but your last post has angered me greatly. I was polite and respectful to you. All I would expect is the same back.
OK, people, that’s enough of the bickering.
Mike,I’m glad the co-prox has turned up – and fair play to you for coming back here to say so as well! Nice one.
Anne, OK, you’re not part of the Pharma2U “scam”. Fine.
BUT if we have more bickering, I can and will block comments on this post.
I’m quite happy to host the conversation here – as has been shown on several occasions – but I’m not happy as site owner with people making snarky (and in my opinion unbased) comments about others. That’s my job on this site, no-one elses. 🙂
READ POST …617 619 Mike ,now please i dont want this to go on ,,,so go and sit down and rest ,in your room at your window with a veiw …goodbye
Thank you Lyle …
How did Mike Smith get offered Coproxamol from his doc when I tried the PRIVATE GP route today and was told that they had been completely withdrawn???!!!!!!
Lyle. Point taken. Your site – your rules.
Anne – Id have another read of Lyles post if I were you, but you take care of yourself. I don’t want to carry this on either, so that’s that. G’eez a smile ! 😉
Poppy, He has told me that co-proximal ARE licensed for use on a named patient basis only. This means (as far as I understand) that your surgery must order them for you. I think the point is here that there is no real policy regarding Co-Prox at the moment. But I do know that my doctor was serious as I have the prescription. First Doctor Issued tabs Ive had for ages. Maybe some common sense is coming back into the national debate. Anyway, it may be worth while asking your doctor about NAMED PATIENT prescriptions and if that doesnt work, perhaps ring round other surgeries or make a complaint to the surgery manager. The bottom line is here that doctors CAN legally prescribe these tablets in the UK. They just choose not to because of the ridiculous and un substantiated claims re suicide.
I have decided to set up a website dedicated to this issue. Whilst D4D has been fantastic in allowing this debate (thanks Lyle) I think that a site should be set up to champion the many people that are in misery and perhaps if we get enough professional support a change to this stupid situation – and a consistent approach for all doctors.
Mike, my GP won’t prescribe on NAMED PATIENT basis because she said the practice insurers won’t allow them. I tried a PRIVATE GP today as I said after being in contact with an MSP who advised that I do this but that GP told me that COPROXAMOL had been completely discontinued and it wasn’t possible to get them anymore….I’m going NUTS!!!!!!!!!!
Poppy, I totally understand your frustration. Ive been there myself and I know how bloody annoying it is. The fact is that CoProx HAS NOT been discontinued in the UK. I know that for an absolute fact as I have a prescription issued TODAY in my hands. (interestingly the actual prescription was printed out a few days ago) My Doctor has however said that he can not guarantee that he will re prescribe in the future, so God knows what that means in practice. The mood he is in? Its a nightmare. I have to see him for a “review” if I want any more.
Im trying to think of what I can do to assist you without identifying my doctor etc (I dont want him pi$$ed off).
Mike, I’m in Scotland if that helps ………or not. The thing is if you don’t live in the same district as the GP practice they won’t entertain you ‘cos I’ve had that problem before.
Poppy, I know what you mean.
I’ll tell you what I did. when i *thought* that I wasnt going to get any meds off Prescribe4u (Which, for the record and to keep everyone happy – are FINE to order from) I made an appt with my doctor and just went in all guns blazing. I had heard that they can be prescribed on a named patient basis. He first told me, he couldn’t and then gave me the suicide and addiction lecture. I then told him that the suicide risk is only there when IM IN PAIN.
He called me back in, told me he needed to get advice and he would be in touch. I assumed that was the end of it until getting the call from the surgery that the prescription HAD been issued and the tablets were ready to collect. ON THE NHS. So standard cost. Think is was £7.60.
I got told in no uncertain terms that a review would be needed every time he prescribed. They made me feel like some kind of criminal when i collected the tablets, but I did get them.
Mike, You’re lucky you got that far. I’ve been pleading with my GP since January 2008 when she stopped prescribing and I’m still getting nowhere. She says she would be happy to prescribe them but the rest of the practice won’t agree and their insurers won’t agree either. I ordered for a year from Pharma 2U until they were raided now I’m not sure about them and don’t have a Visa credit card so can’t order anyway.
Could i take this opportunity to apologise to the site for the saga of the last few days ,for this i am truly sorry
Anne
Poppy, as far as Pharma2u goes. Yes they got raided, but they set up again under http://www.prescribe4u.com and I believe http://www.medica2u.com. As you can see from the exchanges above, I recently ordered from them. Things didn’t go well but I now do believe that was due to an honest error in their order processing system and I did receive the tabs. You will likely have to wait 10-14 days from order though and you will need a visa card. I wish i could help you persuade your doctors. Its awful.
Anne, it takes two to tango. Im sorry it got heated as well. Peace.
Right, well as promised ive set a website up – with ONE goal. To get this situation sorted.
If it flops, it flops. But I thought it was worth a go as it may help people.
its : http://www.co-proxamol.com
I got my tablets from Prescribe for you, Destirol)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1193282/Lord-Moneyjabs-How-Drayson-fattened-drug-firm-taxpayer–80m-selling-Americans.html
Look at the money involved here, disgraceful. Its all about filthy lucre, not pain.
Hi Mike, filled in all the gen to join the site but not sure what is the activation Key?
Received the ‘key’ in the automated email, thanks Mike.
Hi Barbara. Im not sure what the activation key is either 🙂 But glad it got to you. I hope others will join. I really do feel that there should be somewhere central people can have their say. What good will it do? Well I dont know, but anything is worth a try and for the few quid it cost me to set up I hope will be money well spent.
Hi Mike,
Well done on your initiative. I tried to register and need to send you an urgent email or private message on your new forum if possible. It is quite important.
Please can you let me know what I am doing wrong as I cannot seem to register?
Many thanks and best regards,
Russ.
Russ, Im not sure what youre doing wrong. I know Barbara had to wait for an activation key. I will see if I can change the settings on the site to make it easier to register. Please bear with me. You can email me at info@co-proxamol.com I have read your posts on here and would of course welcome any input you have.
The activation key…a line of numbers and letters mixed, arrived in an email approx 15 minutes after filling in details.
http://www.deardenise.com/
Russ I have a thread on Coprox on the site, Dear Denise (Denise Robertson who often has a slot on “This Morning Channel 3.
Would you like to read the last entry by MelodySnuggler who says her GP goes against authority by prescribing Coprox.
Hi everyone ,you all ok ? site very quiet…
Hi all, just to let you know that my package from Medica 2u has turned up!! Just thought that I would let you know. Bye for now :-))
HI everbody,
I live in the midlands in th UK England
I am still getting prescriptions from my doctor for co.proxamol all though i am on a named patiant list, i had to ask to be on this list, after being on this pain killer for over 20 years, any one not getting this co, proxamol, as my fullest sympathy, as i know what it is like to be without it, i went from G.P to G.P until i found a surgery that prescriped co proxamol.
it is within 2 miles of my address so i was lucky, but what i want to say is this, don’t give up hope in thinking that co proxamol is dead and out of circulation, IT IS NOT, the pharmacuticles company are still making the stuff and always will in this country, money talks and we are a nation of pill poppers hey Nigel lol, so where ever theres a chemist in the UK, thers going to be some co proxamol in it, and there will laways be one kind doctor who will prescrbe it, so keep looking.
Well done Freeman …good for you ,where’s there’s a will there’s a way .
pain pain go away
co proxamol come back and stay
http://mindlightandsoul.blogspot.com
Hey Guys
Just wanted to tell you, I was shocked to hear that Distalgesic and Destirol are being phased out in 2 months?!?!:( 🙁 🙁
Where on earth do we go now???
Hi Andrea,
I don’t know much about this latest news but there is Offshore-Pharma still supplying DG.They have been supplying this item under the brand name Eli Lilly. I think you would have to use WU as a payment method.
Hey Chris
Thanks for that info 🙂
I order once before from offshore but at that time it was veripayment which has stopped now. I thought they used that mini teller thingy :s Do they use WU too?
Hey Chris
Thanks for that info 🙂
I ordered once before from offshore but at that time it was veripayment which has stopped now. I thought they used that mini teller thingy :s Do they use WU too?
Andrea, They do not use veripayment now, and WU is probably your best option to pay. The mini teller is not yet available to us, only the
USA/Canada. Chris.
#683
Hi Andrea,
When you say distalgesic / destirol is being phased out, do you mean only at pharma2u and medica4u or do you have some information that it is being phased out in the UK as a whole?
My information direct from several UK chemists and FOI at MHRA is that co-proxamol is still available to Named Patients, and the current figures from MHRA are circa 150,000 patients per annum are being kept supplied with co-proxamol.
Very best regards,
Russ.
Hi Russ
It was P2U who told me that both were being phased out in 2 months so I’m not sure exactly what they mean. Whether it’s only P2U, Cyprus etc. I really have no idea. I just know it’s words I don’t want to hear?! 🙁
The whole situation is crazy to say the least!
I’m sorry it’s a bit vague but that’s all I’ve been told. I will certainly tell you anymore information I hear regarding it. 🙂
Kind Regards
Andrea
Still a ghost town ……anybody there ?
Russ et al, I’m SURE you already know but, to my horror, I have learned that the European Medicines Authority are attempting to get coproxamol banned for manufacture in the EU. The MRHA & NHS are DELIGHTED with this because of the rocketing prices since withdrawal came in. Presently, I’m one of the 60,000 lucky ones who’s GP trusts me to use it responsibly BUT…… ! What can we do ?? I’d be prepared to support you if it were legal & not crippling financially ! June
Russ et al, Sorry, I forgot to mention that Keith Hawton of University of Oxford has added weight to the argument for MRHA/NHS/EMA by publishing a report in the BMJ showing that the withdrawal of coprox. has lead to a significant reduction in suicides ! THO’ it was only in drug related suicides & DID NOT research whether the stats on OTHER methods had increased !!! June
I’d be very interested to talk to Russ McLean by private email, please, if that’s possible ?
Hi June,
you can contact me at campaigncoprox at live dot com.
You wil need to rejig the email address that I have added. It is published in a unassembled way so as to avoid the spam email hoovers.
Cheers,
Russ
Also, I would like the MHRA, plus people like Hawton to know, there may indeed be a reduction in suicides. However, it will ONLY TAKE ONE DEATH because of this incompetently handled ban, to trigger senior culprits at the MHRA to be carted off in handcuffs under arrest for questioning of their role in manslaughter.
This may appear overly dramatic, but I know of one definite near miss where the untreated pain through MHRA coproxamol ban where all alternates proved too weak, too strong or with intolerable side effects, resulted in a box knife cutter to the wrist right up to the artery.
Medical Health Regulator Breckenridge and hangers on like Hawton may be pushing out propaganda, but as a former police officer myself, I wouldn’t like to be in their shoes anytime soon.
The FACT is that 1,700,000 patients took coproxamol up until the ban. It only takes one coproxamol ban death report from HM Coroners/Procurators Fiscal to return paperwork to us to trigger a criminal investigation of the regulator.
Regards,
Russ
June, last post for tonight….
If the incompetents at MHRA read my words, answer me this:-
1. Since the coproxamol ban, why do official figures at GP Magazine PulseToday obtained from the MHRA under FOI reveal that morphine prescriptions have gone up by 40% Given the MHRA said paracetamol was just as good as coproxamol, are the MHRA saying by deductive logic, that paracetamol is the same as morphine?
2. Why do official Parliamentary figures show deaths where coproxamol was mentioned, initially going down after the ban, but now remarkably going up? If this is true, then surely Hawton et al are unscientific and should hand their degrees and sponsorship money back?
3. If any MHRA official is arrested, or detained for questioning by the police, will the taxpayer have to fund their defence lawyer? If so why? It is personal and (un)professional incompetence by the MHRA that has caused tens of thousands of patients to live and die in untreated, or undertreated pain, so why should these highly paid and knighted people be bailed out by the taxpayer.
4. Why, in February 2009 did MHRA chairman Breckenridge surrender his medical registration as a doctor? Check this as fact on the GMC website.
June, maybe you could copy and paste this posting and send it to the MHRA for their reply? Also, write to the University of Oxford for a full copy of Hawton’s article. It maybe that Hawton has been misquoted and is actually a decent and professional scientist. It behoves us to check out the facts before reporting the MHRA to the police.
Very best regards,
Russ.
Well to achieve a european ban ,all the european governments would have to agree on this ,am i correct ..as the UK is the only one wanting this ,they will have a lot of time consuming persuading to do ..and i think it only takes one goverment to say no ,and surly the UK cant tell other countries how to run their affairs
Hi Anne & June,
Anne, point well made. However, the EMEA haven’t a clue about whom they speak forand represent. They have no mandate. They don’t represent a majority view in the UK, let alone have the authority to push their hobby horse case in Europe.
IMHO little do they realise what is about to befall them.
Cheers,
Russ.
Hi June,
I am having good days and bad – as are most of us – which makes progressing matters difficult.
Could do with a wee hand.
Are you able to do a wee bit of Inspector Morseing and research whether EMEA is a quango, or elected in any way? Also who is the boss. A name and qualification would help?
Also, are you able to obtain and examine a copy of this Oxford University Hawton Coproxamol paper? It is important that we examine if this man was balanced and thorough in his approach.
Big thankyou.
Russ.
Just finalising the “IT ONLY TAKES ONE” campaign…
http://coproxamol.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=7&page=1#1248817121
Last autumn, following the dossier on coproxamol submitted against the Medical Health Regulator’s alleged incompetence on the coproxamol Named Patient mess, and bringing the reputation of the medical profession into disrepute, he inexplicably withdrew his licence to be a doctor this February 2009- his essential GMC registration.
Still no remedy to the MHRA mess has followed.
Next port of call was the Honours Forfeiture Committee. They say to remove an honour such as a knighthood, there usually has to be a criminal conviction.
Manslaughter will do.
So be it.