Health warns of the serious harm of pseudoephedrine in nasal decongestants

2024-05-08 15:13:21

The latest Bulletin on the Safety of Medicines for Human Use, published by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS), includes the new security information.

Medications that contain pseudoefedrina: risks of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (SVCR).

The first is characterized by the acute onset of headaches, alterations in the state of consciousness, visual manifestations, seizures, nausea or vomiting. And the second, in a similar way, is manifested by a very intense headache.

And according to the AEMPS, the medicines containing pseudoephedrineoral and nasal decongestions, are contraindicated in patients with hypertension severe or uncontrolled and in patients with severe kidney disease (acute or chronic) or kidney failure, as these conditions increase the risks of PRES or RCVS.

Symptoms of PRES and CRVS include severe headache that comes on suddenly or thunderclap headachenausea, vomiting, confusion, seizures and/or visual disturbances.

“Patients should be advised to immediately discontinue treatment with these medications and seek healthcare if signs or symptoms of PRES or CRS develop.”

Spanish Medicines Agency.

Here is the letter that the Agency sent to the doctors to Warn them of these dangers of ephedrine.

Treatments for oral and nasal decongestion (ephedrine, naphazoline, oxymetazoline, phenylephrine, pseudoefedrinatuaminoheptane), but also ambroxol, bromhexine, inhaled mannitol, nintedanib, roflumilast and selexipag) would be out of pharmacies if it were up to the editors of the prestigious magazine Prescrire.

It so happens that there are popular treatments that include ibuprofen plus pseudoephedrine and the serious skin reactions they can cause are notable.

The AEMPS also warned about it a few years ago. When taking these medications, severe skin reactions as acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis. To name a brand: Bisolfren or Bisolvon.

So be careful with pseudoephedrine, as this active ingredient is not a child’s play.

If you have any problems with these treatments contact ADAF, the Association of People Affected by Drugs

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