PETALING JAYA: The Drug Control Agency under the Department of Health had issued a cancellation and product recall for pholcodine, an opioid drug used in adults and children to treat nonproductive (dry) cough and in combination with other drugs to treat Cold and Flu Symptoms.

Alpro Pharmacy chief pharmacist and engagement director Lim En Ni said the reason for the recall was the drug’s possible interaction with a neuromuscular blocking agent – commonly used as part of the regimen in general anesthesia during medical surgeries, causing anaphylaxis if the patient has taken pholcodine. with products in the last 12 months.

“Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction,” she said in a statement Tuesday (March 21).

Lim said consumers who bought the medicine and didn’t use it can bring it back to the pharmacy or healthcare facility that supplied it.

She also said consumers who have used pholcodine products in the past 12 months are urged to visit their nearest pharmacy to create a medication list to show their surgeon or doctor if surgery is required.

“If the consumer is unsure whether the medication they have taken or is taking contains pholcodine, please check with the nearest community pharmacy,” she added.