{"id":329270,"date":"2023-02-28T16:52:41","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T06:52:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=329270"},"modified":"2023-02-28T19:36:12","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T09:36:12","slug":"common-cough-medicines-recalled","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2023\/02\/28\/common-cough-medicines-recalled\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Cough Medicines Recalled"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>
The use of some common cough medicines before receiving some types of anaesthetics could cause a severe allergic reaction, according to the TGA (Photo: Pfree2014)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

February 28, 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has cancelled the registration of some common cough medicines after an investigation into suspected life-threatening allergic reactions during surgery.<\/p>\n

The products, used to treat non-productive (ie. dry) coughs in adults and children, contain pholcodine and are being recalled from pharmacies.<\/p>\n

Common products that contain pholcodine include Duro-Tuss Dry Cough Liquid Forte, BiSolvon Dry Forte, Benadryl Forte, Codral Dry Cough Forte Strength and DifflamPlus Dry Cough Relief lozenges.<\/p>\n

Pholcodine is an opioid medicine that suppresses the cough reflex.<\/p>\n

It has been used as a cough suppressant since the 1950s.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cold and flu medicines – syrups and lozenges – often contain pholcodine in combination with other substances.<\/p>\n

As there is no evidence of physical dependence after prolonged use, pholcodine has been considered safe so it has been available at pharmacies over-the-counter without a prescription.<\/p>\n

The TGA investigation followed a review by the European Medicines Agency which recommended the withdrawal of marketing authorisations for pholcodine products.<\/p>\n

The EMA review supported a previously suspected link between pholcodine-containing medicines and a risk of anaphylactic reactions to neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) used during general anaesthesia.<\/p>\n

A TGA statement said data showed that use of pholcodine in the 12 months before general anaesthesia with NMBAs puts people at risk of developing an anaphylactic reaction.<\/p>\n

The TGA\u2019s Database of Adverse Event Notifications identified 50 Australian cases of suspected pholcodine-related anaphylactic reactions to NMBAs, including one death.<\/p>\n

Dr Ashley Hopkins, Head of Clinical Epidemiology Research Group at Flinders University, said he strongly endorsed the TGA’s decision.<\/p>\n

“Pholcodine is a cough suppressant that has been associated with severe allergic reactions that can be life-threatening. These reactions can occur even in patients who have no history of allergy to any other medication,” Dr Hopkins said.<\/p>\n

“The decision to remove pholcodine from the market is based on strong scientific evidence, including several studies that have shown a clear link between the use of pholcodine and an increased risk of anaphylaxis.”<\/p>\n