§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the safety of paracetamol preparations containing methionine; and if he will make a statement. [19325]
§ Mr. MaloneAs with all medicines, the safety of paracetamol preparations containing methionine is continuously monitored by Medicines Control Agency and any new information is carefully evaluated. Side effects from methionine include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and irritability. Methionine is added to some preparations containing paracetamol to prevent liver damage if an overdose is taken but is of no benefit to patients who use paracetamol at the recommended dose. Patients who are not at risk of an overdose are exposed to the possible risk of side effects from methionine with no additional benefit.