Prescribed Zapain with Hypothyroidism.

[henrythewasp]

Hi all, not posted here for quite sometime now but I need some info if anyone can help please. I have an under active Thyroid as well as other illnesses, I am prescribed Zapain for Ostioarthritis and Scoliosis pain but I am having a reaction of wheezing and coughing,iread this is a common side effect but Zapain should not be prescribed with an under active Thyroud.i have stopped my medication of Zapain but can't get to see a Dr, is anyone else here taking Zapain? I don't know whether to carry on taking it as I am in so much pain and it did take the pain away. Dr's appointments are none existant at my surgery.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Zapain is Paracetamol and codeine.

The patient information leaflet says

"Take special care and tell your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zapain Tablets if:

......

• you have an underactive thyroid gland

......

and it also says that if you take any other medication then discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and if you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

I think it might be a good idea to speak to your pharmacist in the morning, then if necessary speak to your surgery and maybe they will get a doctor to speak to you on the phone.

[MaisieGray]

There's no mention of a contraindication with hypothyroidism in one of the Zapain PILs I have read, and I wouldn't have expected codeine and paracetamol to be contraindicated tbh; however in the Mercury Pharma PIL is states only that you should take care and tell your doctor before taking Zapain Capsules if

• you are elderly or weak

• you have any stomach pains or other sudden problems in your abdomen (belly)

• you have an underactive thyroid gland

So not that you shouldn't take it, and not that you should stop taking it, only that your Dr should be reminded about your hypo. I take several meds with the same advisory note. You should of course, ensure you take the tablets separately from your thyroid meds.

[FancyPants54]

I have recently been given some Zapain because I can't have Ibuprofen at the moment. I'm fine with it. But I only need to take it now and then for headaches/migraine or injury etc.

[Brendag23]

My doctor prescribed Zapain for me too for arthritis. I'm hypo like you. I had no idea you were not supposed to take it. Odd that my pharmacist didn't tell me there was a problem with that as he's very good at making sure my meds are OK for me. I'm going to look that up now

[MaisieGray in reply to Brendag23]

It isn't that you aren't supposed to take it, just that it requires care.

[henrythewasp]

I am waiting for a call from my Dr.

[Missd66]

I take up to 8 Zapain a day and have been on these, on and off, for years. My GP who prescribes it is aware I have Hashi's and I've never noticed any side effects, (other than constipation!) but we are all different so best for you to check. As per other comments, the leaflet says take special care & tell your GP/pharmacist if you have an underactive thyroid, which I would hope he or she should already know! They should check there are no contraindications with your other medicines. The patient leaflet I have states in section 4. Possible side effects (1st paragraph) ~.... any sudden wheeziness, difficulty breathing..... should be reported to a doctor immediately. You should be able to speak to someone at your surgery and at least arrange a call back from a GP if you can't get an appointment easily. You can also speak to a pharmacist. Hope you get sorted soon

[henrythewasp in reply to Missd66]

I spoke to a pharmacist and he recommended Ibuprofen which has done no good, I have taken a couple of Zapain today as the pain was becoming unbearable, pain isn't as bad and I am waiting for a call from my GP.

[Missd66 in reply to henrythewasp]

That's good. At least your GP is getting back to you

[Greekchick]

Hi Henry,

Be careful with ibuprofen and all the NSAIDs - they wreak havoc on your stomach lining and will cause other issues for you.

For chronic pain, you may want to ask your doctor about amitryptiline in very low dose (5 mg-12 mg) . It is often used to treat pain and migraines. It is an antidepressant but does not have antidepressive effects at low doses and few side effects at the low doses as well.

I have used it for my back pain for about 2 years and it has worked quite well. It’s an old drug, very cheap, and you may have to experiment with the dose that works for you - start low and work up - but it’s an alternative to the Zapain since you seem to have side effects with that - and it’s taken at night because it can make you a bit sleepy and so you’ll sleep well.

I hope you feel better soon and all the best. Please note - you have to take the amitryptiline separately from your levo or thyroid drugs - my pharmacist recommends a 4 hour gap. All the best.