February 16, 2023
Analgesics are very useful drugs once morest pain. Nevertheless, some expose to a risk of dependence and high toxicity, especially in the event of prolonged use. This is the case of Antarene Codeine, a combination of codeine and ibuprofen. The Medicines Agency alerts following cases of death abroad.
Like morphine, codeine is an opium-derived substance extracted from the plant Papaver somniferum, the soporific poppy. Used once morest pain or cough, this molecule exposes, like morphine, to a risk of abuse and dependence, which can lead to serious effects on health. The National Medicines Agency (ANSM) points to an additional danger: toxicity aggravated by the association with ibuprofen in a medicine, Antarene Codeine, in the event of prolonged use.
The reason ? « Several cases of renal, gastrointestinal and metabolic toxicity have been reported in countries where (this drug editor’s note) is available without a prescription”, informs the Agency. These cases “which sometimes led to the death of the patient, took place in situations of prolonged intake, at doses higher than the recommended doses, in a context of abuse and dependence on codeine”she says.
In effect, “ Prolonged intake of this medicine causes kidney damage (kidney failure) and a significant drop in blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia) which can cause muscle weakness and impaired consciousness., details the ANSM. Besides, “Perforations and haemorrhages in the stomach or intestines as well as severe anemia have also been observed. »
Prudence
In this context, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has therefore requested that these undesirable effects be added to the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet.
Even if in France, all drugs containing codeine have been subject to compulsory medical prescription since 2017, the ANSM wishes to recall the risks of prolonged use. “If you feel the need to consume the drug Antarene Codeine in higher doses or for longer durations than those recommended, consult a doctor”, she advises patients.
