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UK Withdraws Pholcodine-Containing Cough and Cold Medicines

March 16, 2023

The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has withdrawn all pholcodine-containing cough and cold medicines in the UK market as a precautionary measure following a review that the benefits do not outweigh the risk — though rare — of anaphylaxis from the opioid products.

The MHRA said that the medicines — both tablets and syrups — will no longer be available in pharmacies and advised healthcare professionals to consider recommending alternatives for patients who have new dry cough or are currently taking pholcodine.

The agency instructed pharmacies to quarantine remaining stocks of the pholcodine-containing medicines and return them to the manufacturer.

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