Patients have been warned that they should talk to someone if they notice these problems
People taking one of Britain’s most frequently prescribed painkillers have been reminded about some of its potential side effects in an NHS note on its website. Patients should consult a GP if they continue experiencing any of these eight issues.
Nefopam is a non-narcotic painkiller. According to the NHS website, the medication works to “block pain messages sent to your brain,” and, as a result, your body stops recognising them. This results in relief from numerous different conditions that cause discomfort.
The drug is only available with a doctor’s prescription and becomes an option when more common painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen fail to improve a person’s condition. It ranks among some of the most frequently prescribed tablets in Britain.
You might only need to take nefopam for a short period if you are, for instance, experiencing pain after having surgery. Certain patients with chronic painful conditions, such as cancer, may need to take this medication for longer periods.
Throughout the timeframe you take the tablets, which will be discussed with a doctor, there are potential side effects that people should be aware of, reports the Express. The NHS has issued a warning about these on its website, ensuring people are completely informed of the risks associated with this medication.
The website claims: “Like all medicines, nefopam can cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only minor ones. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.”
Common side effects include:
- Feeling sick, dizzy or light-headed
- Dry mouth
- Difficulty peeing
- Tingling in hands and feet
There are some more severe side effects, including hallucinations and rapid heartbeat, though these occur infrequently. If you use nefopam over an extended period, there’s a possibility of developing dependency, but this is also relatively uncommon. The NHS website also warned that nefopam may cause your urine to turn pink. However, medical professionals claim that “this is harmless and does not last long”.
You should contact a healthcare professional to have your urine tested for blood and to determine the reason if it continues to have a pinkish colour. You should be told not to consume alcohol whilst taking nefopam as it heightens the risk of certain side effects.
Who can and cannot use nefopam?
The standard dosage of nefopam is one to two 30mg tablets, administered three times daily. Most adults should be able to use nefopam without any significant problems. There are several different reasons why a GP might contemplate prescribing patients an alternative treatment to nefopam, including:
- Having liver or kidney problems
- Having ever had difficulty peeing
- Having an uncommon kind of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) called angle closure glaucoma
- Trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding
People who have been diagnosed with epilepsy (or have previously experienced a seizure or fit) should also not be put on nefopam.