It has been reported that two controversial painkillers which had been facing closure have got temporary stay as the manufacturers of the two brands of Di-Gesic and Doloxene have contacted the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for a temporary stay.

The two controversial brands of drugs were required to be removed from the shelf of markets by 1st March 2012. However, as the investigation over the two drugs are being carried out it would be declared later as to when ban over the drugs need to be imposed.

However, the other two drug brands, Capadex and Paradex won’t be available for sale from 1sr of March, 2012. The decision of recalling the drugs came after the results of a review which showed that the painkillers are useful in providing relief to patient with limited pain only. These drugs contain dextropropoxyphene, which is not effective in treating or providing relief to pain.

It has further been found that the drugs containing dextropropoxyphene are capable of affecting the heart rhythm. Moreover, elders are at the risk of getting their kidneys damaged because of the over dose of such drugs.

The CEO of National Prescribing Service (NPS), Dr. Lynn Weekes, said, “Given the limited benefit of pain relievers containing dextropropoxyphene, the risks associated with their use, and the fact that we also know dextropropoxyphene can cause dependency, NPS agrees with the TGA’s decision to cancel the four pain relief medicines containing this active ingredient”.

Dr. Weekes have asked the patients taking the drugs containing dextropropoxyphene to get their pills changed or substituted by another pill which is helpful in providing relief to the pain being experienced by them. As the drugs containing dextropropoxyphene can cause damages to the body it is advisable not to take the drugs.