Sandra Alexiu, president of the Association of Family Doctors Bucharest-Ilfov, sounds the alarm about a warning to the European Medicines Agency: some cold medicines contain pseudoephedrine, a dangerous substance for patients.
Cold medicines can be dangerous PHOTO: Archive, The Truth
“The main substance found in
The European Medicines Agency announces that a small number of cases of “posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) in association with the use of pseudoephedrine-containing medicinal products”.
“Pseudoephedrine-containing medications are contraindicated in patients with severe or uncontrolled hypertension, as well as in those with renal insufficiency/severe acute or chronic kidney disease, as these conditions increase the risks of PRES and CVD. Symptoms of PRES and RCVS include sudden severe or throbbing headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion, convulsions and/or visual disturbances”is the summary of the European Medicines Agency, published by Dr. Sandra Alexiu, on Facebook.
Doctor: Romanians swallow them in impressive quantities to treat their colds
Doctor Sandra Alexiu claims that such drugs are used in “enormous doses, without talking to the doctors, in the hope that he will heal faster”.
“I received today (February 9, 2024) an important warning from the National Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (ANMDM) and it would seem very unfortunate that it would go unnoticed! It is a substance that is found in almost all preparations that we buy from pharmacies under the name COLD AND FLU and that Romanians swallow in impressive quantities to treat their colds without talking to doctors, in the hope that heal faster… Not only do we take without asking, but we take huge doses! I've had patients take Xcold and flu and Xsinus and X-max and X-vex and other wonders that I see on TV every day in commercials! Yes, it's about money, a lot of money, drug ads on TV are big sums. As well as lozenges, three or four kinds, with the fist, destroying what must remain whole and unharmed on the tongue!”, wrote Dr. Sandra Alexiu, on Facebook.
The doctor claims that the common cold goes away in seven days if you go to the doctor and in a week if you DON'T go to the doctor, and “lemon and honey are the most important common cold remedies.”
“It's hard to compete with some colorful clips that promise the sea and salt, practically you don't even have to go to the doctor if you have constipation, cold, chills, chalazion,
In conclusion, Dr. Sandra Alexiu makes a brief summary of the dangerous symptoms that may appear, but also a call to the authorities to take measures against abusive advertisements.
“Convulsions from excess cold and flu dusts! Headaches like knives stuck in the brain! Confusion, vomiting! Be frugal! Pay attention! Do not force nature, because in this battle man never wins! Please, those who read, if you can, make the ANMDM's warning reach the CNA as well. Perhaps from several voices the one will finally rise up that will say enough of advertisements for drugs, pharmacies and clinics on TV. Any of our grandparents and children can become victims so easily!”concluded Dr. Alexiu.
