{"id":303982,"date":"2025-10-15T00:26:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/303982\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T00:26:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:26:12","slug":"nhs-alert-issued-to-anyone-taking-common-painkiller-tablets-like-nefopam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/303982\/","title":{"rendered":"NHS alert issued to anyone taking common painkiller tablets like nefopam"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Patients have been warned that they should talk to someone if they notice these problems<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_GettyImages-2212197019.jpg\" alt=\"Mid woman taking medicine with glass of water at home\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>People might notice these side effects from taking the painkiller(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">People taking one of Britain&#8217;s most frequently prescribed painkillers have been reminded about some of its <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/health\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">potential side effects<\/a> in an NHS note on its website. Patients should consult a GP if they continue experiencing any of these eight issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/nefopam\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Nefopam<\/a> is a non-narcotic painkiller. According to the <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/nhs\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"NHSLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS<\/a> website, the medication works to &#8220;block pain messages sent to your brain,&#8221; and, as a result, your body stops recognising them. This results in relief from numerous different conditions that cause discomfort.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The drug is only available with a doctor&#8217;s prescription and becomes an option when more common painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen fail to improve a person&#8217;s condition. It ranks among <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/nursingnotes.co.uk\/resources\/the-100-most-common-medications-in-uk-hospitals\/#:~:text=Oxycodone.-,Nefopam,-.\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">some of the most frequently prescribed tablets in Britain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">You might only need to take <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/nefopam\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">nefopam<\/a> for a short period if you are, for instance, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/health\/i-thought-acid-reflux-give-36064501\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">experiencing pain<\/a> after having surgery. Certain patients with chronic painful conditions, such as cancer, may need to take this medication for longer periods.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Throughout the timeframe you take the tablets, which will be discussed with a doctor, there are <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/health\/tell-doctor-straight-away-you-36061434\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">potential side effects<\/a> that people should be aware of, reports <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.express.co.uk\/life-style\/health\/2121018\/nhs-nefopam-side-effect-pain\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">the Express<\/a>. The <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/nhs\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">NHS<\/a> has issued a warning about these on its website, ensuring people are completely informed of the risks associated with this medication.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Nefopam-is-often-prescribed-for-pain.jpg\" alt=\"Man suffering from back pain while holding painkillers in bedroom\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>People who take this painkiller could face certain side effects(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The website claims: &#8220;Like all medicines, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/nefopam\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">nefopam<\/a> 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Common side effects include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\" publication=\"mirror\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Feeling sick, dizzy or light-headed<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Dry mouth<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Difficulty peeing<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Tingling in hands and feet<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">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&#8217;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 &#8220;this is harmless and does not last long&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">You should contact a healthcare professional to have your urine tested for blood and to determine the reason <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southtees.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/Urine-colour-chart.pdf\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">if it continues to have a pinkish colour<\/a>. You should be told not to consume alcohol whilst taking nefopam as it heightens the risk of certain side effects.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_Acupan-pill-bottle-conceptual-image.jpg\" alt=\"Acupan pill bottle, conceptual image\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Nefopan also goes by the brand name Acupan in the UK(Image: Getty)<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Who can and cannot use nefopam?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The standard dosage of nefopam is one to two 30mg tablets, administered three times daily. <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/nefopam\/who-can-and-cannot-take-nefopam\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Most adults should be able to use nefopam<\/a> without any significant problems. There are several different reasons why a GP might contemplate prescribing patients an alternative treatment to nefopam, including:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"UnorderedList_unordered-list__gzblI\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"unordered-list\" publication=\"mirror\">\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Having liver or kidney problems<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Having ever had difficulty peeing<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Having an uncommon kind of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) called angle closure glaucoma<\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"sc-700e1ff3-0 VljCu\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">People who have been diagnosed with epilepsy (or have previously experienced a seizure or fit) should also not be put on nefopam.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Patients have been warned that they should talk to someone if they notice these problemsPeople might notice these&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":303983,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[210,1060,565,15073,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-303982","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-medication","10":"tag-nhs","11":"tag-paracetamol","12":"tag-united-states","13":"tag-unitedstates","14":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115375347218347118","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/303982","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=303982"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/303982\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/303983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=303982"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=303982"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=303982"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}