The Medicines Agency (ANSM) contacted the public prosecutor to report dangerous drug prescriptions to children with autism.
- The drug prescriptions denounced by the ANSM are made outside their marketing authorizations (AMM).
- These are anti-infective drugs (antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics and antivirals) as well as drugs for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning (chelators).
Multi-month prescriptions for anti-infective drugs and heavy metal chelators have been identified in children with autism. Alerted, the ANSM “Strongly advises against these uses for which these drugs have no proven efficacy and which expose these children to risks, in particular during prolonged use”. The agency also informed the public prosecutor of these dangerous prescriptions.
Cardiovascular and skin disorders
The drug prescriptions denounced are made outside their marketing authorizations (AMM). These are, in particular, prescriptions for anti-infective drugs (antibiotics, antifungals, antiparasitics and antivirals) as well as drugs for the treatment of heavy metal poisoning (chelators).
In the absence of clinical data, these drugs are not recommended in the management of autism spectrum disorders by the High Authority for Health (HAS). “In addition, anti-infectives present risks of occurrence of adverse effects, in particular during long-term exposure”, specifies the ANSM. They can be characterized, in addition to the digestive effects, by cardiovascular and cutaneous disorders, as well as by other problems specific to each antibiotic used. “In addition, the use of antibiotics over a long period will contribute to the emergence of antibiotic resistance which will reduce the effectiveness of treatment in the event of proven infection”, complete the experts of the public health agency.
The Council of the Order of Physicians and the CNAM alerted
Following its investigations, the ANSM informed the Council of the Order of Physicians, the Council of the Order of Pharmacists, the CNAM and seized the public prosecutor of these therapeutic drifts.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) affect one in a hundred births. In France, about 700,000 people are said to be affected, including 100,000 under the age of twenty. The first signs suggestive of the disease appear before the child is three years old. They are characterized by a communication disorder, difficulties in having social interactions and behavioral abnormalities.
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