The consumption of painkillers is widespread in France. Prolonged and high-dose intake of this kind of medicine would however have harmful consequences on health, according to the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products.
ANSM sounds the alarm
The taking of pain medication is common in France. According to the High Authority for Health, “nearly 10 million French people have had a prescription for opioid analgesics” in 2015. In recent years, the numbers have increased. Prolonged, high-dose intake of a Pain killer would however present a health risk, according to the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products.
The ANSM is particularly sounding the alarm regarding the harmful effects ofAntarene Codeine. It appears that “the declared cases of toxicity, 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”.
The harmful effects of Codeine Antarene
L’Antarene Codeine has negative effects on the kidneys in case of prolonged consumption. Taking this medication might cause kidney failure, characterized by poor filtering of blood by the kidneys. This is one of the most important side effects of this Pain killer. The agency also mentions “a significant drop in the level of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia)”. The person may have felt muscle weakness and have impaired consciousness.
According to specialists, prolonged intake ofAntarene Codeine can also cause “perforations and bleeding in the stomach or intestines as well as severe anemia (an abnormally low level of hemoglobin) have also been observed”.
Some recommendations
The European Medicines Agency therefore requests that these adverse effects be mentioned in the package leaflet. medication. Healthcare professionals must inform patients of this. We have to remind them “the importance of respecting the doses and duration of treatment”.
The ANSM has issued some recommendations for safe treatment with an anti-inflammatory. It is advisable to take the minimum effective dose for a short time and to stop taking the remedy as soon as the symptoms disappear. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) should be avoided in case of chickenpox. The agency also recommends not prolonging treatment beyond 3 days in the event of fever and avoiding taking two NSAID drugs at the same time.
