§ Mr. Patrick Jenkinasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement on the practice of doctors prescribing dextropropoxyphene without warning patients that the drug is dangerous when taken with alcohol.
§ Mr. EnnalsYes. Adverse interaction can occur when alcohol is taken in combination with drugs which stimulate or depress the central nervous system; these include dextropropoxyphene, but it is for the individual doctor to advise each patient in the light of all the relevant facts. The established interactions are referred to in the appropriate literature and should be well known to practising doctors.