Posted by ed_uk on February 4, 2005, at 6:48:44
In reply to Re: CO-PROXAMOL will soon be discontinued in the UK, posted by TikkiRo on February 3, 2005, at 15:48:03
Hi,
Co-proxamol contains dextropropoxyophene as well as paracetamol. Dextropropoxyphene is highly toxic in overdose, more so that other opioids. The effects of most opioids such as diamorphine can be completely reversed by the antidote naloxone (Narcan) - so long as the patient's brain hasn't been starved of oxygen for too long. Dextropropoxyphene overdose can cause acute heart failure, convulsions and cardiac arrhythmias. These symptoms are not responsive to naloxone. As a result, dextropropoxyphene overdose is commonly fatal because it is very difficult to treat.
Another disadvantage of dextropropoxyphene is its long-acting toxic metabolite. The toxic metabolite can accumulate, especially in the elderly.
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:450512
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050202/msgs/452992.html