Fifth in a series on
Bactrim - Septra -Septrin side-effects
MINISTERS
CURB USE OF 'MIRACLE DRUG'
The
Sunday Times (London) July 9 1995
Victims
of the antibacterial Septrin plan to step up their
campaign to curb its use after the government last
week advised doctors to restrict the drug to a range
of uncommon illnesses, writes Brian Deer.
Septrin,
known generically as co-trimoxazole, is at the centre
of growing concerns after an investigation last year
by The Sunday Times linked it to deaths and injuries.
Since that report, more than 1,000 people have
complained of harmful side-effects.
The
drug, regarded as a miracle cure during the 1980s,
has been prescribed to an estimated one in three of
the population, usually for chest or urinary tract
infections. However, the Department of Health last
week ordered that its use be restricted to less
common ailments. Campaigners said that while such a
ban would save lives, it did nothing for those who
were unwell.
"We
need medical help to sort out what's wrong with
us," said Kate Reid, who had the issue raised in
parliament last March.
Ministers
refused to act against the drug earlier this year, on
advice from the Medicines Control Agency. But last
Thursday, Tom Sackville, a junior health minister,
reversed the ruling after the intervention of senior
doctors.
Glaxo-Wellcome
said this weekend that it would amend the drug's
official information sheet, but insisted the product
still had a role in treating serious infections.
Copyright,
Brian Deer. All rights reserved. No portion of this
article on Septrin, Bactrim, Septra, Sulfatrim,
Cotrim, cotrimoxazole, Septran may be copied,
retransmitted, reposted, duplicated or otherwise used
without the express written approval of the author.
Responses, information and other feedback are
appreciated - via Brian Deer's homepage.
