Medication: the ANSM warns of the dangers of prolonged intake of codeine antarene

Caution if you are taking Codeine Antarene (codeine-ibuprofen). On February 13, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) published caution. This alert concerns prolonged intake or high doses.

This medication is a combination of two painkillers, ibuprofen and codeine. “Several cases of renal, gastrointestinal and metabolic toxicity have been reported in countries where it is available without a prescription”, underlines the ANSM. Before completing: “The declared cases of toxicity, which sometimes led to the death of the patient, took place in situations of prolonged intake, at doses higher than the recommended doses, in a context of abuse and dependence on codeine Taking this medication for a long time causes kidney damage (kidney failure) and a significant drop in potassium levels in the blood (hypokalaemia) which can cause muscle weakness and impaired consciousness”.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has requested the inclusion of these adverse reactions in the summary of product characteristics and the package leaflet. The drug agency reminds patients the importance of consulting a healthcare professional if higher doses are taken or if the medicine is taken for longer durations than recommended.

Finally, the ANSM recalls the rules of good use related to the taking of ibuprofen: “Use the lowest effective dose, for the shortest duration. Stop treatment as soon as symptoms disappear. Avoid NSAIDs for chickenpox. In case of fever, do not prolong the treatment beyond 3 days. In case of pain, do not prolong the treatment beyond 5 days. Do not take two NSAIDs at the same time”.