After WHO alert, Centre warns towards use of cough syrups containing pholcodine

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Following an alert by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and bans by a number of international locations on cough syrups containing pholcodine over security issues, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has now issued an advisory for medical doctors and sufferers towards its use in India.

The WHO raised a security concern alert in March 2023.

According to the WHO, there’s a heightened threat of anaphylactic reactions – extreme allergic reactions that may generally be life-threatening – in individuals who have taken pholcodine-containing cough syrups and chilly treatments not less than 12 months previous to surgical procedures involving the administration of normal anesthesia with neuromuscular blocking brokers (NMBAs).

In its advisory, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi stated that the WHO had alerted healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities of the chance of anaphylactic reactions in individuals who have taken pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments not less than 12 months previous to surgical procedures involving the administration of normal anesthesia with NMBAs.

“Further, many regulatory authorities have reviewed and withdrawn/ restricted pholcodine-containing cough and cold remedies,” stated the advisory dated July 14.

It famous that the matter was referred to Subject Expert Committee (Antimicrobial and Antiviral) in a gathering in June to hunt professional opinion on the protection alert printed by WHO on the prior use of pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments.

ALSO READ | Delhi pharmacist held for allegedly storing greater than 36,000 bottles of banned cough syrup

The committee then beneficial related advisories to medical doctors, healthcare suppliers and shoppers after an in depth deliberation.

According to Dr. Saurabh Khanna, lead advisor, paediatrics and neonatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, it’s dangerous whether it is used excessively in inappropriate doses at an age that isn’t beneficial.

“The recent developments in terms of codeine and why the WHO is banned using pholcodine in various cough syrups is because it is known that pholcodine reacts with certain neuromuscular blockers, which leads to a severe anaphylactic reaction which is a severe allergic reaction. Its use has been quite prevalent in India.”

He stated that it’s utilized in most cough syrups accessible over-the-counter and one has to make sure that whereas making a purchase order, it’s best to at all times get a prescription by a healthcare skilled, pediatrician or an MD medication individual so that you simply give it in an acceptable dose solely whether it is required.

Some of the opposite unintended effects of utilizing pholcodine may embrace constipation, drowsiness, sure gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, vomiting, and in very excessive doses, even respiratory despair.

The drug regulator urged medical doctors to advise sufferers to cease taking pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments and recommend an alternative choice to deal with their signs. They had been additionally suggested to confirm whether or not the affected person scheduled to take normal anesthetics containing NMBAs has taken pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments within the earlier 12 months and likewise concentrate on anaphylactic reactions in such sufferers.

The regulator additionally suggested shoppers to watch out in taking pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments and seek the advice of medical doctors or pharmacists to recommend an alternate therapy.

NEW DELHI: Following an alert by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and bans by a number of international locations on cough syrups containing pholcodine over security issues, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has now issued an advisory for medical doctors and sufferers towards its use in India.

The WHO raised a security concern alert in March 2023.

According to the WHO, there’s a heightened threat of anaphylactic reactions – extreme allergic reactions that may generally be life-threatening – in individuals who have taken pholcodine-containing cough syrups and chilly treatments not less than 12 months previous to surgical procedures involving the administration of normal anesthesia with neuromuscular blocking brokers (NMBAs).googletag.cmd.push(perform() googletag.show(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); );

In its advisory, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi stated that the WHO had alerted healthcare professionals and regulatory authorities of the chance of anaphylactic reactions in individuals who have taken pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments not less than 12 months previous to surgical procedures involving the administration of normal anesthesia with NMBAs.

“Further, many regulatory authorities have reviewed and withdrawn/ restricted pholcodine-containing cough and cold remedies,” stated the advisory dated July 14.

It famous that the matter was referred to Subject Expert Committee (Antimicrobial and Antiviral) in a gathering in June to hunt professional opinion on the protection alert printed by WHO on the prior use of pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments.

ALSO READ | Delhi pharmacist held for allegedly storing greater than 36,000 bottles of banned cough syrup

The committee then beneficial related advisories to medical doctors, healthcare suppliers and shoppers after an in depth deliberation.

According to Dr. Saurabh Khanna, lead advisor, paediatrics and neonatology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, it’s dangerous whether it is used excessively in inappropriate doses at an age that isn’t beneficial.

“The recent developments in terms of codeine and why the WHO is banned using pholcodine in various cough syrups is because it is known that pholcodine reacts with certain neuromuscular blockers, which leads to a severe anaphylactic reaction which is a severe allergic reaction. Its use has been quite prevalent in India.”

He stated that it’s utilized in most cough syrups accessible over-the-counter and one has to make sure that whereas making a purchase order, it’s best to at all times get a prescription by a healthcare skilled, pediatrician or an MD medication individual so that you simply give it in an acceptable dose solely whether it is required.

Some of the opposite unintended effects of utilizing pholcodine may embrace constipation, drowsiness, sure gastrointestinal disturbances, nausea, vomiting, and in very excessive doses, even respiratory despair.

The drug regulator urged medical doctors to advise sufferers to cease taking pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments and recommend an alternative choice to deal with their signs. They had been additionally suggested to confirm whether or not the affected person scheduled to take normal anesthetics containing NMBAs has taken pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments within the earlier 12 months and likewise concentrate on anaphylactic reactions in such sufferers.

The regulator additionally suggested shoppers to watch out in taking pholcodine-containing cough and chilly treatments and seek the advice of medical doctors or pharmacists to recommend an alternate therapy.