Several medications indicated to clear the nose in case of cold, flu or allergy have been pinned by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Because, the pseudoéphédrine that they contain. It is a substance that causes constriction either the narrowing of blood vessels.
On February 10, the EMA announced via a press release that these drugs would be analyzed following cases of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. These conditions attacking the brain blood vessels will reduce the blood supply, which can be deadly.
It is lFrench Medicines Agency (ANSM) which has taken its steps. The EMA’s Pharmacovigilance Risk Assessment Committee (PRAC) will then analyser this data and will then decide “whether the marketing authorizations for medicinal products containing pseudoephedrine should be maintained, modified, suspended or withdrawn across the EU”.
What symptoms should alert?
“Medicines containing pseudoéphédrine are authorized in various EU Member States alone or in combination with medicinal products to treat cold and flu symptoms such as headache, fever and pain, or allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages) in people with nasal congestion,” the EMA points out.
Several symptoms should be monitored if you have taken any of the pinned drugs.
Common symptoms associated with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome include headaches, nausea and seizures.
“Pseudoephedrine works by stimulating nerve endings to release the chemical norepinephrine, which causes blood vessels to constrict (narrow),” the EMA describes.
Discover the list of pinned drugs available within the EU.