Vol. 439 No. 4
81 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health if he intends to issue cautions to the medical profession on the widely used anti-depressant drug, dothiepinprothiaden, in view of the recent finding -Lancet of 15 January 1994 - of its greater toxicity in overdose than other similar drugs.
106 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Health if he intends to issue cautions to the medical profession on the widely used anti-depressant drug, dothiepinprothiaden, in view of the recent finding -Lancet of 15 January 1994-of its greater toxicity in overdose than other similar drugs.
161 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to issue cautions to the medical profession on the widely used anti-depressant drug, dothiepin-prothidaden, in view of the report in the Lancet of 15 January 1994, of its greater toxicity in overdose than other similar drugs.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 106 and 161 together. I am aware of the recent report in the Lancet regarding the alleged greater toxicity of this drug in cases of overdose. The report is at present being considered by the National Drugs Advisory Board. Pending such consideration by the board and subject to any advice which it may issue in the light thereof, I do not propose to take any action at this time on the matter.
I would, however, stress that this drug is subject to prescription control and is only used under the guidance of a medical practitioner. The particular complications which are reported to have arisen and which are the subject of the report in the Lancet, have occurred only in cases of overdoses of the drug and not where normal usage took place. Obviously, whilst wishing to minimise the possible effects of any overdose of medicines, I would stress that all medicines should only be used as prescribed by one's medical practitioner.
