Posted by ed_uk on December 13, 2004, at 10:53:25
In reply to Re: Diamorphine (heroin), posted by TheOutsider on December 13, 2004, at 10:26:28
Hi,
Hello TheOutsider,
You are absolutely right that pain control is often inadequate in England, this also seems to be the case in most countries. You are also correct that hydrocodone is not marketed in the UK. Oxycodone, however, is available in the UK. In fact, a friend of a friend is currently taking oxycodone in an English hospital :-(
Opioid analgesics USED in the UK include.....
Morphine (MST continus, MXL, Zomorph, etc.)
Diamorphine
Oxycodone (Oxynorm and Oxycontin)
Hydromorphone (Palladone)
Fentanyl (Durogesic)
Codeine
Dihydrocodeine (DF118, DHC continus etc.)
Tramadol (Zydol, Zamadol, Dromadol etc.)We don't use oxymorphone or hydrocodone but we have adequate substitutes so we don't really need them! Similarly, the Americans have many adequate substitutes for diamorphine (heroin).
Paracetamol (called acetaminophen in some countries) is used by the bucket load. The standard dose is 1g four times a day, lower doses are the norm in some parts of the world.)
The NSAID diclofenac (Voltarol) is an exceptionally popular analgesic in England. Celebrex is used less frequently.
Ed.
poster:ed_uk
thread:428569
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041211/msgs/428874.html