France warns of heart attack risk with these cold medicines

The National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Healthcare products (ANSM) has launched a campaign to advise against the use of a range of Vasoconstrictors to treat colds It is awaiting a ban from the European Union (EU) due to its risk of myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents.this has been confirmed Crystal Ratignier CarbonaireThe organization’s director general told Le Parisien: “I want to tell the French: don’t use them anymore!”

Specifically, Carbonneil aims to Nasal tablets or sprays containing pseudoephedrine. He said: “Despite measures that have been put in place, cases are still occurring. Although the common cold is a benign illness, recent data still shows a serious impact.”

France’s drug regulator acknowledged in a statement that “the risk is very slight, but These events may occur regardless of the dose and duration of treatment.“. “The seriousness of these accidents and The case persists, Although actions have been taken related to the optional nature of vasoconstrictors, Boot ANSM recommends not using it”, collecting notes.

In France, these medicines are sold under the brand names Actifed Rhume, Dli rhume, Humex Rhume, Nurofen Rhume, Rhinadvil Rhume Ibuprofène/Pseudoéphédrine and Rhinadvilcaps Rhume Ibuprofène/Pseudoéphédrine.

ANSM justified its position with recent pharmacovigilance data and medical literature, and was joined by a number of French health organizations. Therefore, at the request of French regulators, these health agencies decided to predict the outcome of the EU’s reassessment of pseudoephedrine, which began in February.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is investigating whether the risks of using these medicines may create more problems than they solve. The review will send its findings to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which will issue an opinion. In order for changes to the provisions to take effect, the European Commission must make a legally binding decision that applies to all EU member states.

Research into the drugs was prompted by the release of new data about a “small number” of cases occurring in people using the drug pseudoephedrine. These patients develop posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) or reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS). “PRES and RCVS may cause a reduction in blood supply to the brain (ischaemia), which in some cases may lead to serious and life-threatening complications. Common symptoms associated with PRES and RCVS include headache, nausea and seizures,” he said . in its statement”.

Cold Relief Alternatives

As part of a campaign against the vasoconstrictor pseudoephedrine, French medical authorities have proposed a range of alternative treatments, but not before clarifying that colds usually “come on naturally within 7 or 10 days”. He points out that humidifying the inside of the nose with physiological serum, hot water spray or sea water is one solution, as well as drinking more water, sleeping with your head elevated, maintaining a cool atmosphere (between 18 and 20 degrees) and regularly moisturizing the room. ventilation.