DRUGS AGAINST COLDS, SUSPECTED OF CAUSING STROKES!

The majority of drugs against the common cold contain phenylpropanolamine, a decongestant substance, while effective to prevent the nose from running, but accused of being responsible for rare but serious side effects, particularly brain hemorrhage. The safety of this drug have been questioned by a U.S. study published in December 2000, the United States immediately banned. Yet in France, as elsewhere in Europe, drugs containing phenylpropanolamine are nonprescription and even if the number of users is not known with precision, it is of the order of several thousand each year (Actifed days and night, Fournier Humex capsule Rinurel, Rinutan, Denoral tablet, capsule Rupton, Triaminic?). Why?

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Phenylpropanolamine, also called norephedrine, is a substance akin to amphetamine, with a vasoconstrictor effect and therefore a decongestant. Used for decades in many medical specialties to treat the unpleasant symptoms of colds, a U.S. study published in December 2000 has cast doubt on its safety.Accused of causing / * 131/accidents strokes / * /, the U.S. Agency for Safety (FDA) has prohibited immediately. Be noted across the Atlantic, she was also incorporated, until it was banned in November 2000, in some diet pills, because of its appetite suppressant effect.

Stroke serious but rare

Thus, between 1969 and 1991, 22 cases of cerebral haemorrhage have been reported by the FDA in people coming to take phenylpropanolamine, including 16 through diet pills and 6 through products against colds . To ensure a real connection between this molecule, widespread (tens of thousands of Americans take each year) and these accidents serious, but rare, however, a major study was launched in 1992. More than 700 subjects aged 20-49 years who had suffered a cerebral hemorrhage were compared to 1,400 healthy controls.Overall, the risk of stroke is multiplied by 1.49 by taking phenylpropanolamine, or as an anorectic drug against the common cold, and by 1.23 if one considers only the products against the cold. The evidence is sufficient and therefore the authors estimate that between 200 and 400 cases of cerebral hemorrhage each year would have been the consequence of this stuff! Thus the U.S. has decided to ban the sale of medicine containing this drug, quickly imitated by Canada , the China and Brazil .

The position of France: no rush!

Still permitted in France and throughout Europe, the French Agency for Sanitary Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS) is currently considering this issue, but believes that there is no urgency. However, she recalled a number of recommendations on these drugs, including asking to respect the dosages and do not use them for example in cases of hypertension or a history of seizures .So why not ban them? Three main reasons have been mentioned. First, a reassessment of American Studies, which is expected to close in July, is essential. Then, if we remove these products, they will be replaced by other medicines containing vasoconstrictors, which also have their own side effects.And finally, the products against colds nonprescription represent a huge market!However, remember that cold is a condition that heals spontaneously. That is to say that the drug specialties are only alleviate symptoms without reducing their duration.