The cancellation and recall actions have been announced by the TGA because of a link between pholcodine-containing medicines and an increased risk of anaphylactic reactions (a sudden, severe and life-threatening allergic reaction) to certain medicines used as muscle relaxants during general anaesthesia.
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s National President, Professor Trent Twomey says patients can source alternatives from their local community pharmacy.
“Patients should check the labels on any over-the-counter medicines they have at home. If they find their medicines do contain pholcodine, they should ask their pharmacist to suggest an alternative,” Professor Twomey said.
Pholcodine is found in a range of popular over-the-counter medicines at pharmacies, and is used to treat dry and tickly coughs. It is available in the forms of lozenge and syrups.
The TGA advice followed a review by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a study in Western Australia which according to the TGA showed the inclusion of pholcodine “was a risk factor”.
The TGA advises that patients who require general anaesthesia and have taken pholcodine in the past 12 months should advise their health professional. Health professionals should also check whether patients scheduled to undergo general anaesthesia have used pholcodine in the previous 12 months.