Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Co-proxamol
Introduction
Co-proxamol (BAN, also coproxamol) is a combination of the analgesics dextropropoxyphene (an opioid) and paracetamol.
The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) decided in 2005 to withdraw co-proxamol from the market following advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines (CSM) that co-proxamol is little more effective than paracetamol alone as an analgesic, but that it was associated with higher fatality rates if a drug overdose were intentionally or inadvertently taken. The decision provoked some outcry from long-term users of the drug.
References
- “Suicide painkiller withdrawn”. The Times. January 31, 2005.
- “Painkiller scrapped over suicides”. BBC News. January 31, 2005.
- “Co-proxamol to be withdrawn from the market”. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. 31 January 2005.
- “Withdrawal of co-proxamol”. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. 17 January 2007.