Public urged to stay vigilant over wrong-strength painkiller batch

The warning was issued by the UK medicines regulator after the wrong strength of tablets was put into some packets of the painkiller co-codamol.

Some packs in batch LL11701, expiry date of September 2014, which should contain 8mg/500mg strength tablets have higher strength 30mg/500mg tablets. Wockhardt UK Ltd, which makes the medicine, is recalling the batch.

The medicine is used as a painkiller for the short term treatment of acute, moderate to severe pain which cannot be relieved by paracetamol, ibuprofen or aspirin alone, and contains codeine.

The different strength tablets can be identified by their markings.

The 8mg/500mg tablets are marked on one-side only as “” - these can be bought over-the-counter.

However the higher strength 30mg/500mg tablets - marked on one side as “CCD30” and marked as “CP” on the second side - are a prescription-only medicine.

Packs, which contain 32 tablets, from the affected batch were first distributed on 30 December 2011. Around 39,000 were distributed to pharmacists and wholesalers for onward sale across the UK, with some of these available here in Northern Ireland.

People who take a larger than necessary dose of codeine can feel drowsy and should not drive. Other possible side effects can include confusion, headaches, and nausea. Some people with pre-existing long term conditions, the elderly or those taking other medicines, may be particularly vulnerable to adverse effects and should speak to their pharmacist for advice. However, for most healthy adults a small dosage is unlikely to cause any lasting harm.

Mr Joe Brogan, head of pharmacy with the Board said: “Anyone who has a packet of the affected medicine should return it to their pharmacist who will replace it.

“Similarly, anyone who has taken a wrong strength tablet, and is feeling unwell, should also speak to their pharmacist or GP promptly.”