April 19, 2019.
The Medicines Agency once again warns of the dangers of two anti-inflammatory drugs widely consumed in France, which can lead to serious infectious complications: ibuprofen and ketoprofen.
Over 42 deaths in eighteen years caused by ibuprofen and ketoprofen
In his report on April 18, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) alerted on the serious infectious complications that can be caused by two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used in particular against pain and fever: ibuprofen (Nurofen, Advil, Upfen or even Antarene) and ketoprofen (Profenid, Toprec or Ketum).
According to a vast pharmacovigilance survey carried out by the regional pharmacovigilance centers of Tours and Marseille, since 2000, ” 337 cases of infectious complications with ibuprofen and 49 cases with ketoprofen “Were found,” at the origin of hospitalizations, sequelae or even death “. These two anti-inflammatory drugs, widely sold in France, have indeed been responsible for 42 deaths in eighteen years.
The authorities advise to favor the use of paracetamol
The complications identified, mainly Streptococcus or Pneumococcus, are ” severe skin and soft tissue infections (dermohypoderma, necrotizing fasciitis, etc.), sepsis, pleuropulmonary infections (pneumonia complicated by abscess, pleurisy), neurological infections (empyemas, brain abscesses, etc.) or complicated ENTs ( cellulitis, mediastinitis …) “.
In the event of pain or fever, the ANSM recommends favor the use of paracetamol and, if NSAIDs are needed, they should be prescribed and used ” at the lowest effective dose, for the shortest duration », Not to take two NSAID drugs at the same time, not to prolong treatment beyond three days in case of fever and five days in case of pain, to avoid NSAIDs in case of chickenpox and, well. Of course, to stop treatment as soon as symptoms disappear.
Aurélie Giraud
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