Following the European Medicines Agency’s decision to test an active substance called pseudoephedrine found in cold and cough medicines, which is found in most popular medicines in Israel – the Ministry of Health in the examination of the medicines: “No complaints have been received yet, but we are checking and will decide later how to act”
The Ministry of Health has begun testing a series of drugs popular with the public following suspicions that they cause cardiac and cerebrovascular events. This was published this evening (Sunday) in ‘News 12’.
The evidence was received by the European Medicines Agency by a small number of people who took the medicine and experienced severe side effects. The European Medicines Agency says the reason for the test is concern about the risk of encephalopathy syndrome and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, conditions that affect blood vessels in the brain.
These phenomena can involve a reduced blood supply to the brain and can cause major and life-threatening complications in some cases. Pseudoephedrine is taken by mouth and is used to treat nasal congestion caused by a cold, flu, or allergy. A number of people have recently complained of taking medicines containing the ingredient and then experiencing the same side effects.
Following the evidence, the agency began examining the cases and will decide whether to suspend or cancel the marketing authorizations of drugs containing pseudoephedrine throughout the European Union. The ingredient was also tested in Britain, it was announced two days ago.
The Ministry of Health responded: “The Ministry of Health constantly monitors safety information from Israel and the world, and upon receiving the notification from the European Authority, the Ministry began examining the matter. Pseudoephedrine causes blood vessels to constrict, which is the mechanism for its desired activity, but like any drug treatment, there may be side effects resulting from a reduction in blood flow.” The Ministry of Health has not received any reports so far, at the end of the inspection the necessary actions will be considered if necessary.”