Warning To Consumers About Recreational Use Of Medicines, Australia

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 30 Jul 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The National Prescribing Service (NPS) warns people are playing Russian roulette with their health when they take medicines inappropriately. Media reports this week about people mixing sleeping tablet, zolpidem (Stilnox), with energy drink Red Bull™ have failed to highlight the risks people are taking when they intentionally misuse pharmaceuticals.

NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes says people should ensure they know the risks and benefits of any medicine before taking it.

"All medicines have potential side effects and should only be used for the purpose in which they have been prescribed," Dr Weekes said.

Zolpidem is a prescription medicine that is used to initiate and maintain sleep in those with sleeping difficulties. It has a number of common side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, headache and muscle weakness. It has also been associated with reports of unusual and potentially dangerous behaviours during sleep.

The consumer medicine information for Stilnox, which is written by the manufacturer, clearly states that Stilnox should not be taken if you have been drinking alcohol and it should not be given to people under the age of 18.

"I strongly advise anyone who has been, or is thinking about, using any medicine for recreational purposes to read the consumer medicine information leaflet and think about the ramifications it may have on their health," Dr Weekes said.

"There are many sources for information about medicines including your pharmacist or GP, the NPS website and our publications."

"Health professionals should also be aware of patients who may ask specifically for Stilnox following these latest media reports and ensure patients understand the purpose for which the medicine has been prescribed," Dr Weekes warned.

Consumer medicine information leaflets can be viewed here.

Additional information about zolpidem is available in the December 2008 edition of Australian Prescriber in "Hypnotic hazards: adverse effects of zolpidem and other z-drugs" by Professor LG Olson.

To view the article visit here.

Source
The National Prescribing Service Limited

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