A widely-used painkiller will now only be available on prescription after it was linked with heart problems.
Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, has been reclassified by the UK's drugs watchdog.
Millions of people take the drug for a range of conditions including arthritis, headaches, back pain and gout.
But over-the-counter sales of tablets will stop tomorrow after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it was associated with a 'small but increased' risk of heart problems.
Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, has been reclassified by the UK healthcare regulator as a prescription-only medicine after concerns it may cause heart problems for some patients
The change means patients using diclofenac to treat pain and inflammation will be unable to source the tablets from pharmacies without a prescription from their doctor.
Six million prescriptions were written for diclofenac last year and the drug is also available over the counter in lower dose Voltarol tablets and cream.
Dr Sarah Branch, the MHRA's Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines Deputy Director, said: 'Diclofenac is associated with a small but increased risk of serious cardiac side effects in some patients, particularly if used at high doses and for long-term treatment.
'Because of this the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM) has advised that patients need to have a medical review before taking oral diclofenac to make sure it is suitable for them.
'If patients have recently bought diclofenac tablets from their pharmacy and continue to need pain relief they should talk to their pharmacist about suitable alternative treatments.
'However there is no problem if they wish to stop taking diclofenac in the meantime.'
Dr Branch added that people who have been prescribed the drug by a doctor should continue to take their medicine as instructed, as their medical history and any tests will already have been assessed.
A previous review found it was associated with a small but significant increased risk of cardiovascular side-effects.
The MHRA has previously said that diclofenac should not be used by people with serious underlying heart conditions.
The advice was updated after a European review of the risks.
People who have suffered heart failure, heart disease or a stroke were advised to stop using it completely.
Smokers and people with high blood pressure, raised cholesterol and diabetes were urged to use diclofenac only after consulting a GP or pharmacist.
But the MHRA said the drug would continue to provide safe and effective pain relief, apart from patients in certain 'at risk' groups.
Six million prescriptions were written for diclofenac last year and the drug is also available over the counter in lower dose Voltarol tablets and cream
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2909789/Widely-used-painkiller-available-prescription-linked-heart-problems.html#ixzz3OprVfu2J
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