Wockhardt recalls Co-codamol painkiller in UK

Indian pharmaceutical and biotechnology company Wockhardt has recalled its Co-codamol painkiller in Britain as the products could contain higher-strength tablets which are normally available only on prescription.

The pharma major has recalled approximately 40,000 packs containing higher co-codamol 30mg/500mg dosage instead of the lower 8mg/500mg.

The firm said that the LL11701 batch with expiry date September 2014 was distributed on 30 December 2011 with each pack containing 32 tablets.

According to the firm those who bought blister packet can identify the different strengths by checking their markings as correct 8mg/500mg tablets are marked <AB> on one side only while the higher strength 30mg/500mg tablets are marked on one side with CCD30 and on the other side with CP.

Out of 39,456 packs in the batch, 38,929 of these having been distributed to pharmacists and wholesalers for onward sale in the UK, the firm said.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said that the manufacturing defect could have led to certain tablet packs having four times the amount of codeine stated on the label.

Co-codamol is a generic name of the combination medicine containing paracetamol and codeine and the firm said in the defect only the level of codeine was affected while paracetamol amount remained the same.

National Pharmacy Association (NPA) spokesperson Leyla Hannbeck warned that those took the medication unknowingly might experience increased side-effects including constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, drowsiness and urine retention.

"Patients can also develop tolerance and dependence with prolonged high doses of codeine, and where patients have taken a higher dose than intended, they may be more at risk of this and should be referred to the GP for assessment," added Hannbeck.