May 8, 2012

expert reaction to study of Co-proxamol withdrawal and suicide rates

PLoS Medicine published a 6 year study following the withdrawal of the analgesic co-proxamol in the UK in 2005, finding there was a major reduction in suicides involving this drug, without apparent significant increase in deaths involving other analgesics.

A spokesperson for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said:

“The MHRA welcomes the study by Keith Hawton highlighting the major reduction in poisoning deaths involving this drug, without apparent significant increase in deaths involving other analgesics. Prior to its withdrawal in 2005 Co-proxamol had been a significant cause of death from overdose and its withdrawal has saved the lives of around 300 people per annum in the United Kingdom. It is encouraging to see that the public health gain from the withdrawal of Co-proxamol is clearly shown to be substantial and the benefit from regulatory action is sustained.”

Professor Roger Knaggs, Advanced Pharmacy Practitioner in Pain Management, Nottingham University, said:

“Co-proxamol was withdrawn in the UK because it had been implicated with increasing number of suicide deaths, particularly when taken together with alcohol. Following its withdrawal, there has been a reduction in the number of suicides death linked to its use. At the same time the number of deaths associated with other similar medicines has not increased either. Clearly this is good news and shows the positive impact that this change has made.”

‘Six-Year Follow-Up of Impact of Co-proxamol Withdrawal in England and Wales on Prescribing and Deaths: Time-Series Study’ by Hawton, K. et al., published in Public Library of Sciences Medicine on Tuesday 8th May.