In a press release that had hitherto gone a little unnoticed, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) warns of the risks incurred for patients who take Prolonged Antarene Codeine, a drug combining two painkillers: ibuprofen and codeine.
In a press release published a few days ago, the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) warns of the potential dangers of Antarene Codeine: “Several cases of renal, gastrointestinal and metabolic toxicity have been reported” in countries where this medicine “is available without a prescription”. This treatment, prescribed to fight once morest moderate to intense pain, combines two molecules: ibuprofen and codeine.
“Prolonged intake of this medicine causes kidney damage (kidney failure) and a significant drop in the level of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia) which can cause muscle weakness and impaired consciousness. Perforations and hemorrhages in the stomach or the intestines as well as severe anemia were also observed”, further details ANSM, in a press release published in mid-February.
The authorities regularly warn regarding taking painkillers
And the agency emphasizes serious side effects, “might lead to death”, in the event of prolonged taking of the drug, abuse and / or dependence on codeine.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its part requested at the same time that the undesirable and potentially dangerous effects be added to the summary of product characteristics (SPC) and the leaflet of the medicine.
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