The National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) has warned against taking Antarene codeine regularly. This medicationwhich combines two painkillers – ibuprofen and codeine – “can cause kidney and intestinal toxicity that can lead to death” in the event of abuse and dependence, explains the Agency in a communiqué.
“Several cases of renal, gastrointestinal and metabolic toxicity have been reported in countries where it is available without a prescription”, advances the ANSM, which specifies however that in France, all drugs containing codeine are subject to a prescription on medical prescription.
Risks in case of dependency
According to the ANSM, the reported cases of toxicity, “which sometimes led to the death of the patient”, occurred in situations of prolonged intake, with dosages higher than the recommendations, in a context of “codeine addiction”. This substance is, like morphine, a opiate molecule which can indeed expose to a risk of abuse.
Prolonged intake of Antarene codeine “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”, indicates the Medicines Agency. “Perforations and haemorrhages in the stomach or intestines as well as severe anemia have also been observed. »
Faced with this observation, the ANSM recommends consulting a doctor in the event of a situation of prolonged dependence on Antarene codeine. Adverse effects will also be added to the product leaflet.