I was prescribed Co-Proximal along with Diclophenic for ...

Diclofenac is still available by prescription. Ask your doctor to write you one.:D

[i:5b20b350d9]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:5b20b350d9]

As a chronic back pain sufferer I came across this website. In reply to your comments about Co-proxamol, the reason it is to be withdrawn from the UK market is that, out of all the prescription drugs, it has been responsible for the most deaths from overdose, due to the combined effect of the liver damage caused by paracetamol and the cardio-respiratory depression from the dextropropoxyphene. Numerous clinical trials have shown that dextropropoxyphene (which is pretty much the weakest of all the opiates) in combination with paracetamol has demonstrated little more effectiveness than paracetamol alone. Of course every patient's body is different and will react differently to drugs, so I'm not saying the benefits you got from C-P were only psychosomatic, but the big picture is that the dangers of Co-proxamol far outweigh its benefits. This is why it is to be withdrawn. Co-Codamol 30/500 is considerably stronger than C-P, so it is not surprising that you have got more side effects from it. Co-codamol comes in two lower strenghts, 15/500 and 8/500 (the latter of which you can buy over the counter). There is also Co-dydramol, a combination of paracetamol 500mg with dihydrocodeine 10mg, a good middle-of-the-range analgesic that shouldn't make you feel so drowsy. Sam who replied above is also correct; diclofenac is still on the UK market and there is no current information to suggest its being withdrawn. I myself have tried numerous painkillers for my pain, including ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, piroxicam and meloxicam (all of which are anti-inflammatories and none of which have worked for me) as well as neat codeine and dihydrocodeine, as well as diazepam for its muscle-relaxant properties. Dihydrocodeine helped for about a week but doesn't work so well any more. High doses of diazepam combined with dihydrocodeine or tramadol are the only way to control my back pain when it gets to high level.

I hope this info helps with your query about co-proxamol - the two best options for you would probably be a lower dose of co-codamol or co-dydramol, so discuss this with your doctor. And remember diclofenac is still very much a drug of choice and is readily prescribed! Harry (informed but still in pain!!) :?

[i:3060ddcb9b]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:3060ddcb9b]

As a chronic back pain sufferer I came across this website. In reply to your comments about Co-proxamol, the reason it is to be withdrawn from the UK market is that, out of all the prescription drugs, it has been responsible for the most deaths from overdose (often accidental), due to the combined effect of the liver damage caused by paracetamol and the cardio-respiratory depression from the dextropropoxyphene. Numerous clinical trials have shown that dextropropoxyphene (which is pretty much the weakest of all the opiates) in combination with paracetamol has demonstrated little more effectiveness than paracetamol alone. Of course every patient's body is different and will react differently to drugs, so I'm not saying the benefits you got from C-P were only psychosomatic, but the big picture is that the dangers of Co-proxamol far outweigh its benefits. This is why it is to be withdrawn. Co-Codamol 30/500 is considerably stronger than C-P, so it is not surprising that patients previously using CP who have hadit replaced with Co-codamol 30/500 have got more side effects from it. Co-codamol comes in two lower strenghts, 15/500 and 8/500 (the latter of which you can buy over the counter). There is also Co-dydramol, a combination of paracetamol 500mg with dihydrocodeine 10mg, a good middle-of-the-range analgesic that shouldn't make you feel so drowsy. Sam who replied above is also correct; diclofenac is still on the UK market and there is no current information to suggest its being withdrawn. I myself have tried numerous painkillers for my pain, including ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, piroxicam and meloxicam (all of which are anti-inflammatories and none of which have worked for me) as well as neat codeine and dihydrocodeine, as well as diazepam for its muscle-relaxant properties. Dihydrocodeine helped for about a week but doesn't work so well any more. I am now on tramadol. High doses of diazepam combined with dihydrocodeine or tramadol, PLUS PHYSIO AND REGULAR EXERCISE, are the only way to control my back pain when it gets to high level.

I hope this info helps with all these queries about co-proxamol - the two best options for the patient writing in number 6, above, would probably be a lower dose of co-codamol or co-dydramol (or tramadol), so discuss this with your doctor. And remember diclofenac is still very much a drug of choice and is readily prescribed! Harry (informed but still in pain!!)

NOTE TO WEMBASTER: I WROTE THE ABOVE AS A REPLY TO PATIENT 6 WHCIH I EXPECTED WOULD BE DISPLAYED ONSCREEN BUT IT WASN'T SO I'VE HAD TO COPY IT FROM THE REPLY SECTION SO OTHERS CAN READ IT!

[i:644638c3d5]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:644638c3d5]

I am in my fortieth year of nursing. Co-proximal came onto the market as Distalgesic in the late sixties. I am at a loss as to why the government have decided to withdraw this excellent analgesic. Alternatives, namely codeine based drugs, are weak opiates, as was co-proximal and they are open to abuse and overdose. The main problem with codeine based drugs is constipation. This is a real bug bear for the older patient, requiring further prescriptions to deal with this problem and resultant increase in prescribing costs. Why on earth do the government not stay out of medicine and leave it to those who know best. Men and women who trained long and hard to achieve their degrees in medicine. There are many over the counter drugs that can be very easily purchased that have devastating effect in overdose. We have a medling, interfering government who made a knee jerk reaction decision without accumulating the facts.

I have also been pescriped Diplofenic and Co Codimol and find it makes me very wosey and does not even really deaden the pain. I have Diplofenic pescribed last week so not off the market where I live

I recently visited my mother who live in Spain for health reasons, she has very bad arthritis.

She was prescribed Diclofenic by the Spanish doctor and finds it a great help, the difference there is she can buy it over the counter!!

I am now in my 40's and have a milder form of the arthritis than she does, she recommended I try it so I bought some, I couldnt believe I could walk (hobble) into the chemists and buy 2 boxes for less than £5 thats less than 1 prescrition cost!!

I have found it to be of benifit and will probably be asking my mum to send it to me, its still cheaper that a prescription and as I am totally needle phobic my doctor would not prescribe it to me without a blood test so I have no alternative.

It brings me to the point, yes, its widely available and why are prescriptions so expensive. p.s. NHS better understanding of peoples PHOBIA's would be helpful!!!

[quote:bb9845bd0c=\"S. \"]Diclofenac is still available by prescription. Ask your doctor to write you one.:D

[i:bb9845bd0c]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:bb9845bd0c][/quote:bb9845bd0c]

just be careful with what is effectively drug trafficking...

dont send too much at once, and be careful getting it through customs.

infact it might be an idea to speak to customs and ask them if your gonna get in trouble doing that

Hi Allawlor2000

Be careful taking Diclofenac as if you take for a long time it can effect your stomach lining......

[quote:8afa7133db]Diclofenac can also increase your risk of serious effects on the stomach or intestines, including bleeding or perforation (forming of a hole). Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

[/quote:8afa7133db]

My advice is go to your doctor first and tell him or her and then they can give you other measures like lansporasol which helps prevent the above from happening, as doctors normally advise a patient not to take longer than a week due to precautionary measures!!!

Please go and see your doctor just make sure you are taking the correct medication too.

Regards

SES

Co-Proximol I found wonderful till they took them off the market, WHY?Dr put me on Co-codamol and now they have made me constipated and sleepy. I had no adverse reaction with Co-Proximol and they killed the pain and interfered with nothing else - I broke my hip. I asked Dr why the change and was told it was a Government Ruling\"??????? :cry: