其 他 安 全 警 示
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| Canada: Non-prescription pain relief products containing codeine are not recommended for use in people under 18 years of age (English only) |
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Health Canada announces that it is advising Canadians that people under 18 years of age should not use non-prescription pain relief products containing codeine. Non-prescription codeine-containing pain relief products were previously not recommended for children and youth under 12 years of age.
This recent action is an extension of Health Canada’s previous advice to Canadians that people under 18 years of age should not use cough and cold products that contain opioids, including codeine. Health Canada continues to encourage patients, parents and caregivers to consult with their healthcare professional about the use of prescription pain relief products containing codeine or other opioids.
These actions are a result of the Department reviewing all available information on non-prescription codeine-containing pain relief products, which demonstrated that using opioids at a young age may contribute to the development of problematic substance use later in life.
Health Canada is working with manufacturers of non-prescription pain relief products containing codeine to update their product safety information to reflect the Department’s recommendation that people under 18 years of age should not use these products.
Information for patients, parents and caregivers:
- Ask your healthcare professional about alternatives to non-prescription codeine-containing products to treat pain in people under 18 years of age.
- All health products, including non-prescription pain relief products, should be used with caution and stored out of the reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion.
- Always read the labels on your medications and any additional safety information provided by your pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
- There are alternatives to codeine-containing products available for people under 18 years of age to treat pain.
Information for healthcare professionals:
- Advise patients, parents and caregivers on the proper use of opioid-containing health products.
Please refer to the following website in Health Canada for details:
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/../73635a-eng.php
In Hong Kong, there are 357 registered pharmaceutical products containing codeine.
News related to the limitation of the use of opioid-containing cough and cold medicines to adults (18 years of age and older) was previously issued by the United States Food and Drug Administration, China National Medical Products Administration and Health Canada, and was posted on the Drug Office website on 12 Jan 2018, 7 Sep 2018 and 19 Feb 2019. Letters to inform local healthcare professionals were issued by the Department of Health (DH) on 12 Jan 2018. In Jun 2018, the Registration Committee of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board discussed the matter and decided to remain vigilant on safety update issued by other overseas drug regulatory authorities.
So far, the DH has received 4 cases of adverse drug reaction related to codeine.
The DH will remain vigilant on safety update of the drug issued by other overseas drug regulatory authorities for consideration of any action deemed necessary.
Ends/Saturday, Aug 1, 2020
Issued at HKT 13:30
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