AIFA alarm for the medicine that we all have at home, the possible side effects are dangerous for health.
In every house, there is a medicine cabinet which is often full of unused medications, packages not finished or not even started. Everything that can be used to cure us and that was purchased in autonomy at the pharmacy or below prescription medical. Often there are also expired drugs and it is important to always check the dates indicated on the package before using them.
The AIFA has, however, issued an alarm for a substance in particular that is contained in commonly used drugs. This substance can have dangerous side effects and the AIFA has initiated checks on its use. The substance in question is pseudoephedrine, found in over-the-counter medicines used for relief from symptoms such as nasal congestion.
Winter and mid-seasons are the periods in which cold-related illnesses develop the most. And it is precisely for this type of problem that drugs are used to have relief from symptoms such as nasal congestion. However, many of these pharmacological remedies contain pseudoephedrine, which has been reported by the AIFA to have potentially dangerous side effects.
The positive action of pseudoephedrine is due to the stimulation of the nerve endings that release norepinephrine, but the substance can lead to posterior encephalopathy and syndrome due to cerebral vasoconstriction, both reversible. These are pathologies directly linked to the offending substance, warns the Italian Medicines Association.
AIFA strongly recommended updating the information on the leaflet in order to include the possible side effects found and clearly describe the measures to be taken to avoid or reduce the risk of incurring dangerous consequences for patients. Pseudoephedrine is also not recommended for those suffering from renal failure, whether chronic or acute, or has other renal pathologies.
The drugs in which pseudoephedrine is found are very common and are certainly already present in many homes. It could also be included in many other medicines, so it is recommended to read the leaflet or packaging to check safety. For any information or doubts, it is advisable to consult your doctor.