The pseudoefedrina It is one of the drugs that sells the most in winter because it is used to treat nasal congestion Usually caused by colds or flu. It is also used in case of allergy to relieve rhinitis, so its use goes beyond the winter months in which there are more colds.
Now the drug is in the crosshairs of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its possible risk to the brain. In a statement issued by the agency, it reports that “the safety committee of the EMA has initiated a review of medicines containing pseudoefedrina after concerns about the risk of reversible posterior encephalopathy syndrome (CHAIR) and the reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), diseases that affect the blood vessels of the brain”.
How does pseudoephedrine work?
The EMA explains that pseudoephedrine works by stimulating the Nerve endings to release the chemical norepinephrine, which causes blood vessels to narrow. In this way, the amount of fluid released by the vessels is reduced, thereby decreasing the inflammation and the production of mucus in the nose.
Where is pseudoephedrine found?
Pseudoephedrine is authorized in several countries of the European Union, either alone or in combination with other active ingredients in medicines. antigripales to treat symptoms like headache, fever the nasal congestion. It is also used in the allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passages).
Pseudoephedrine is a common compound in many flu medications, one of the best-selling drugs in winter
Medications containing pseudoephedrine are available under many trade names: ‘Gelocatil Gripe con pseudoephedrina’, ‘Frenadol decongestivo 16 capsules’, ‘Cinfatós decongestivo’, ‘Bisolfren’, ‘Iniston expectorante y decongestivo’, ‘Reactine cetirizine pseudoephedrine’, ‘Actifed’, ‘Aerinaze’, ‘Aspirin Complex’, ‘ Clarinase’, ‘Humex rhume’ and ‘Nurofen Cold and Flu’, ‘Rinoebastel’ or ‘Termalgin cold’ are some of the drugs that contain this active ingredient.
Known risks of pseudoephedrine
The EMA recalls that drugs containing pseudoephedrine have a known risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular ischemic events (side effects involving ischemia in the heart and brain), including strokes and heart attacks. In fact, restrictions and warnings are already included in the drug’s package insert to reduce these risks.
Now there has been a new alert because there has been a small case numbers in people using pseudoephedrine medicines who have developed posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS).
Both the PRES and RCVS may imply a reduced blood supply (ischemia) to the brain and can cause serious and life-threatening complications in some cases. Common symptoms associated with PRES and RCVS include headache, nausea and seizures, the EMA alerts in its statement.
Taking into account the seriousness of PRES and RCVS, the EMA safety committee will study the matter and decide whether “Marketing authorizations for medicinal products containing pseudoephedrine should be maintained, modified, suspended or withdrawn throughout the EU”alert.