Health Department raises concern over rising dependency on over-the-counter painkillers
The Department of Health has raised concern over a rising dependency on some highly addictive over-the-counter painkillers.
It comes as a senior addictions psychiatrist based in Belfast revealed that some patients are taking up to one hundred strong painkillers a day.
And one man told UTV how he almost died after becoming addicted to a combination of Ibuprofen and Codeine that he started taking for migraines and a leg injury.
The Department of Health said that some over-the-counter medication, such as stronger combination painkillers containing a mixture of paracetamol or ibuprofen along with codeine or dihydrocodeine, can be highly addictive.
The use of these types of painkillers almost cost 37-year-old Belfast man Michael Main his life.
Mr Main said he started using combination painkillers 12 years ago to treat a leg injury and migraines. At the height of his addiction, he was taking 64 tablets daily. His weight dropped to four stone, he needed surgery for a perforated ulcer and several blood transfusions.
He eventually sought medical help for his addiction and has been in recovery for four months.
Belfast Trust Consultant Addictions Psychiatrist Dr Joy Watson, who is based in the Malone Place Addiction Services Clinic, said that addiction to stronger combination painkillers can cause serious health issues, including severe liver, kidney and stomach disease and with some people ending up in Intensive Care Units (ICU).
She added: "Sadly, some people have lost their lives. They can also cause issues in patient’s personal or work lives.
“The good news is, there is treatment available to substitute codeine and it is highly effective. The earlier you seek the help, the better for your health. If you are concerned about your relationship with over-the-counter medication, speak to your GP or pharmacist.”
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