Sefac warns about responsible use of medicines containing pseudoephedrine

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) Safety Committee should lFrench Medicines Agency, A review has recently been launched into medicines containing pseudoephedrine, a drug used to relieve nasal congestion when you have a cold, flu, or rhinitis.

This review arises from cases of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome in persons taking medications containing pseudoephedrine, which have been reported in pharmacovigilance databases and in the medical literature.at the moment Possible measures to limit the use of these products, which are primarily used as decongestants in catarrhal or allergic processes, are being evaluated.

Depending on their mechanism of action, drugs containing sympathomimetics such as phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine, or pseudoephedrine Have a known risk of ischemic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (side effects involving ischemia in the heart and brain), including stroke and myocardial infarction.

The existing drugs in my country mainly containing pseudoephedrine include prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. Medications containing pseudoephedrine, which are not subject to medical prescription, are available in varying amounts from 6 mg to 240 mg and can be dispensed by community pharmacists under the Medication Instructions Service (SIF). For the relief of symptoms of stuffy nose, runny nose, and sinus congestion associated with the common cold, flu, and allergic rhinitis in adults and children 6 years and older.

Most medicines containing pseudoephedrine have been on the market in Spain for more than 5 years, and there have not been any reported cases similar to those registered in France. However, given the current expected increase in the prevalence of these symptoms, the severity of the cases that have emerged, and the large number of patients raising pseudoephedrine contraindications and precautions in routine pharmaceutical practice, The Spanish Society of Clinical, Family and Community Pharmacy (Sefac) recommends ensuring patient safety Community pharmacists advise patients on correct dosage and risk of overdose; verify contraindications for patients with hypertension, hyperthyroidism, coronary heart disease, and patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors; warn patients with glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia, and diabetes not to use because they Can aggravate these symptoms. If you develop high fever, dizziness, insomnia or nervousness, tachycardia or palpitations, nausea, vomiting, or persistent abdominal pain, you should suspend treatment and see a doctor for pain.