Latest news with #NurofenPlus
Irish Daily Mirror
06-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Former addict calls for crackdown on over-counter medicines containing codeine
A former addict who was told by doctors he's lucky to be alive after taking 72 tablets of Nurofen Plus is calling for stricter laws on medicines containing codeine. Mark Fearon, 47, is eight months clean after a three-year addiction to the over-the-counter painkillers that almost took his life. Nurofen Plus contains both ibuprofen and codeine. While these tablets can be bought without a prescription in Ireland, medical advice is they shouldn't be taken for more than three days. But Mark, from Stepaside, South Dublin, travelled around the capital to different pharmacies to get his fix and even hobbled into stores to illustrate his pain to chemists. It all began to alleviate lower back pain that he suffered all his adult life, but it slowly crept into an addiction that took hold of his life. He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: 'I underestimated the power of Nurofen Plus. I said I'd stay on them until the pain was gone. 'At six months I said, 'Why am I still taking these? The pain is long gone. By six months I was up to a pack a day.' Mark realised he had a serious problem and one night decided to go cold turkey, but had unbearable withdrawals and the next day was at the chemist. He continued: 'As my usage crept up I started to notice a very small euphoric feeling. 'It was enough for me to start to like that feeling, want it, and keep on getting it. 'But that's when I started to feel unwell, I started to get stomach cramps, and it was impacting my health. 'Monday would roll by and I'd always try to stop. I tried to taper myself down, but I would get to Wednesday and my usage would just go up. 'And I was in that same cycle for the next two years. 'My usage was getting higher and higher and I was getting sicker and sicker. 'Then towards the end, I had built up to three packs every day, which is 72 tablets.' At this stage in his addiction, Mark's family and friends began to notice that he was extremely unwell. The Dubliner had stomach ulcers, was rapidly losing weight, was turning green, and his mental health was deteriorating. After vomiting blood at a friend's wedding, Mark decided he needed professional help and went to his GP. It was then he was told that he was just moments away from death. Mark continued: 'He ordered blood tests immediately and two days later said you have to go straight to the hospital. 'He said my haemoglobin level is so low that I had no oxygen running around my body. I was on the verge of a stroke. 'So I got blood transfusions, three pints of blood. The doctors said, 'You are extremely lucky to be here. You don't understand how close you were to death'. 'If I had left it much longer, I wouldn't be here.' After this hospital visit, Mark did relapse, but he then went back to his GP, who referred him to a seven-week programme at St Patrick's Hospital. While the Dubliner says it was the toughest seven weeks of his life, it saved him, and he is now happier than ever. Mark says these tablets can't simply be taken off the shelves, as people do need them. However, he believes stricter practices need to be in place – such as limiting customers to one packet a month using their ID. The Dubliner said he decided to open up about his addiction as so many other people are in the same position. He said: 'Nobody talks about codeine addiction, and I've seen with my own eyes at pharmacies the number of people who can buy this stuff. 'Hundreds of people have the exact same story as me from every corner of Ireland,' Mark said. Reckitt Benckiser, the pharmaceutical company that makes Nurofen Plus, has been contacted for comment.
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Brits issued airport warning over bringing 3 types of pain-killers on-board
Brit holidaymakers are being warned to make one urgent check before bringing their medication to the airport - or face potential action when they reach their destination One of the major parts of packing up a suitcase for holiday is making sure you have the correct amount of medication. Some people take pain-killers with them as a precaution, while others generally need to take a whole host of tablets on their journey due to pre-existing medical conditions. Whatever your scenario, there are some medicines which need extra attention before you set off on your travels. Some relatively popular pain-killers are actually restricted in some places, according to experts at Which? who say it's important to check if your pills are complying with the UK's Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. If you're leaving the country with medicine that contains a controlled drug, you'll have to prove its intended use with a letter from your doctor. Codeine or medication containing codeine can get you arrested in countries like Thailand and the UAE (United Arab Emirates). These can be found in certain medications, including Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine. Other strong painkillers, like morphine and tramadol, are prohibited, as these are known to be highly addictive. Other countries with strict rules on medication are: Greece, Japan, and Mexico. Countries have different restrictions on how much a passenger can bring into the country. Still, a medical letter from a professional will be needed as proof. If the person travelling intends to be outside of the country for a long period of time, they will need to apply for a personal license from the Home Office at least 15 days before the intended departure date. Which? also recommended keeping the medicine in its original packaging and bringing a copy of the prescription as back-up. Full list of medications While restrictions differ for every country, the experts said: "You should be especially cautious if you are planning on travelling anywhere with any of these, or with medical equipment such as syringes or an EpiPen, as you're likely to need some form of written permission." Codeine or medication containing codeine - typically found in Nurofen Plus and Solpadeine. Morphine and tramadol Opiate painkillers Antidepressants Sleeping pills Anti-anxiety medication (including diazepam) ADHD medication Cannabidiol The government's foreign travel advice medication advisory for Greece says: "Pharmacies across Greece stock a good supply of medicines, but there are strict rules around dispensing certain medicines, including antibiotics. Bring prescription medicines with you and carry a letter from your doctor stating the quantity required during your stay. "Keep the medication in the original container with the prescription label. The name on the prescription must match the name on your passport."
