Many medicines are very helpful in short courses but with longer courses the body adapts and the medicine no longer works but can be addictive. It is best to avoid these medicines. For problems which last more than a couple of months there may be very few or no alternatives and the best doctors can sometimes do is to offer support, understanding and advice.
Common Medicines Which Stop Working if Taken Over a Long Time can be Addictive are:
Pain Medicines Anxiety Medicines
Co-codamol Diazepam
Co-dydramol Temazepam
Codeine Nitrazepam
Dihydrocodeine Lorazepam
Tramadol Zopiclone
Morphine
Oxycodeine
Good Practice for Addictive Medicines:
- Avoid starting addictive medicines if possible.
- Use for short courses: days or a few weeks but not for months.