RSD Alert
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RSD Alert is a voluntary
organisation publishing RSD/CRPS
information, mostly provided by
our readers.
Every approved medical drug works for some people but not for others.
Don't be alarmed by what you read. If in doubt consult your medical
advisor.
To make personal contact with one of the RSD Alert Team click CONTACT.
To pass on information for publication in "Drugs on RSD Alert"
click Submit Info.
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Drugs |
Drugs on RSD Alert
(notes and comments from correspondents) |
Solpadeine |
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Description |
Proprietary, over-the-counter, brand of a popular analgesic/painkiller compound, generally sued to relieve headache or rheumatism. Widely available in the UK and Ireland presented in effervescent or standard tablet form. A combination of Codeine Phosphate (8mg) Paracetamol (500mg) and Caffeine (30mg). |
Side effects(Don't be unduly alarmed. All drugs cause side effects for some patients) |
EFFECTS
OF SHORT-TERM USE Tolerance occurs readily. Constipation, headaches, nausea, sedation, dizziness; enhances the effects of alcohol. EFFECTS OF LONG-TERM MISUSE Tolerance, physical and/or psychological dependency, chronic constipation, headaches, nausea, gastritis, liver dysfunctions, gastro-intestinal disorders, ulcerative colitis, depression, mood swings, chronic lethargy, restless limbs. Chronic Daily Headache Syndrome is reported by many users. |
Warnings(These are standard cautions but may not apply in your case) |
For those taking in excess of 20-25 solpadeine tablets a day, there is a of severe withdrawal symptoms either by going "cold turkey", or by cutting down too quickly. A 3-4% risk is predicted of developing "Status Epilepticus" due to abrupt withdrawal of the codeine narcotic ingredient. Status Epilepticus is a form of violent fit that, unlike an epileptic fit, can recur rapidly (one fit being succeeded by another in quick succession). This may be life threatening in a few cases. |
Comments |
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My name is Paul and I'm from London in the UK. I believe I am
addicted to taking solpadeine, and I have been like this for over
4 years now. I started taking it to relieve daily headaches, and
it helped a lot. The problem was that I would take it pre-emptively
to stop headaches coming on. Soon I was regularly taking Solpadeine,
up to 12 tablets a day. I have tried to cut down, and I am now
on 6 a day, but I can't seem to get below this level. It's a terrible
addiction, and one for which there is little support from doctors. NB Similar warnings have been given by users of Sopadol, a variant of Solpadeine ( see Alison Abbot's comment below). See our entry on Solpadol. I was a little concerned to see solpadol described as "a
supposedly milder variant of Solpadeine." Solpadeine contains
8mg of codeine per tablet & can be used in children over 6
years. Solpadol contains 30mg of codein per tablet (nearly 4x
that amount!) and is not recomended for I am an otherwise fit and healthy 34 year old living in Cambridge,
who after suffering from headaches for many years found Solpodeine
to be a fantastic relief. This was some 10 years ago. Since starting
to take them, whilst they certainly stop the headaches, I seem
to be deeply dependant on them and I am sure that they are causing
most of the symptoms. |
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