Reckitt lifted by India but warns of patent hit

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But the Slough-based firm warned that this year it might be hit by generic competition for its heroin substitute Suboxone tablets.

The addiction treatment brought in £737 million last year, having captured 25% of the US market.

But the US patent has run out and Reckitt said up to 80% of revenues might be lost if a cheaper, copycat drug went on sale this year.

To mitigate the threat of potential rivals, it has launched a patent-protected film version of Suboxone that dissolves under the tongue.

Reckitt made a pre-tax profit of £1.7 billion. European sales eased, but emerging markets grew strongly.

Chief executive Bert Becht said: "It is a two-world picture. Europe and North America not doing well, while developing markets are doing well."

Reckitt, which last year bought Durex and Scholl-maker SSL International for £2.5 billion, also admitted it is being hit by higher oil, palm oil and plastic prices.

The shares fell more than 4% to 3300p as investors were disappointed by its slow end of 2010.

Martin Dolan, analyst at Espirito Santo, said: "The fourth quarter was not a good one by Reckitt's exalted standards."