Don't risk a stroke just because of a blocked nose. President of the Order of Physicians of Var, Jean-Luc Le Gall welcomes the decision of the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM), which therefore makes it compulsory from this Wednesday the presentation of a prescription to acquire anti- common cold.
The general practitioner is categorical: “Rhinitis is a benign disease that cannot be treated, except in the event of secondary infection”. In other words, these famous medications sold in pharmacies to treat congested noses have not “no interest”. “They provide a little comfort but do not reduce healing times,” summarizes Jean-Luc Le Gall.
However, as with any decision taken by the drug authority, “we analyze the benefit-risk balance”. And in this specific case, continues the Var doctor, “we cannot accept that a drug causes death or disabling lifelong aftereffects”.
“This could be exceptionally serious”
What is actually causing the problem? “These vasoconstrictor treatments which contain pseudo-ephedrine serve to constrict the arteries, which can cause arterial spasms, and therefore cerebral and coronary accidents”warns Jean-Luc Le Gall. And to specify: “Certainly, it’s not very common, but when it happens, it can be exceptionally serious”.
From this Wednesday, only doctors will be able to prescribe these anti-cold “remedies” which are flooding pharmacy shelves.
Jean-Luc Le Gall recalls that anti-cold nasal sprays had already been the subject of an alert from the ANSM and had to be delivered with a prescription. Now the tablets are subject to the same regime.
“Personally, slips the president of the Var Order of Physicians, I almost never prescribe this type of medication which has been used for decades with a tendency towards self-medication.” which therefore turns out to be more dangerous than anything else, according to doctors.
