DEPRESCRIBING:
Have you been prescribed Tramadol, Pregabalin, Gabapentin, Ralvo, Morphine or high dose Codeine for more than 3 months?
Hopefully by reducing or stopping these medications in a controlled manner you will feel brighter, will be less likely to suffer side effects and it should not alter your pain levels.
Our Pharmacy Team can organise a telephone consultation with you and work out a personal plan. Each plan is different (can be tailor made) depending on YOUR needs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Am I too old to make this medication change?
No, absolutely not! Reducing your medication will avoid you taking lots of medication and reduce your falls risk. Falls can cause you to have a serious hospital admission.
Why would you want me to stop my medication, I am always in pain?
It is a good idea to have your medication reviewed regularly to make sure it is working as effectively as it can for you.
Do you want me to stop my medication to save the Practice money?
No, this is primarily a patient safety issue.
Do you think I am a junkie?
No! Just because you are taking pain relief does not make you an addict. Part of the review would be to work out a plan that would work for you.
Will I get different tablets for my pain?
As part of this review, you may find that the current medication that you are taking no longer works as well as it used to. We would hope that you would not experience any increase in pain. Some patients will still remain on their medication, but may move to a lower dose longer term and there would still be benefits.
Why has my GP never asked me to reduce my medication before?
Guidelines change all the time and it is important to review pain medication regularly to ensure that you are not taking medication which could cause you other issues over your lifespan.
Please ask our staff to book you in for a telephone slot for one of our pharmacy team.
For further information:
NICE national institute of clinical excellence: https://www.nice.org.uk/news/article/nice-recommends-range-of-effective-treatments-for-people-with-chronic-primary-pain-and-calls-on-healthcare-professionals-to-recognise-and-treat-a-person-s-pain-as-valid-and-unique-to-them
Analgesia & falls risk British Geriatric Society https://www.bgs.org.uk/sites/default/files/content/attachment/2018-05-22/Falls_drug_guide.pdf
