French regulator warns of serious complications due to use of ibuprofen, ketoprofen

By PharmaCompass

2019-05-02

Impressions: 485 Article

France’s National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) has published a warning about the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in patients suffering from infectious diseases. The agency has studied nearly 20 years of real-world safety data on the use of two NSAIDs — ibuprofen and ketoprofen.

The two NSAIDs are used to treat fever and mild-to-moderate pain. Often patients and healthcare professionals also consider it for the management of symptoms caused by infections. The use of NSAIDs is associated with complications, such as severe bacterial skin conditions that can occur when the painkillers are given to people suffering from chickenpox. ANSM assessed these risks by reviewing adverse event reports dating back to 2000.

ANSM selected 337 cases of infectious complications linked to ibuprofen and a further 49 cases tied to ketoprofen for analysis. The selected cases included reports of infections of the skin and soft tissue, blood, pleuropulmonary and neurological systems and other parts of the body. Some of the infections led to patient deaths.

The complications were mainly associated with streptococcus and occurred after two to three days of treatment with NSAIDs. The NSAIDs were given by healthcare professionals or self-administered by patients to treat conditions including fever, insect bites and other benign inflammatory skin lesions and respiratory conditions. ANSM also found that people with chickenpox continue to take NSAIDs, despite them being contraindicated.

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“ The article is based on the information available in public and which the author believes to be true. The author is not disseminating any information, which the author believes or knows, is confidential or in conflict with the privacy of any person. The views expressed or information supplied through this article is mere opinion and observation of the author. The author does not intend to defame, insult or, cause loss or damage to anyone, in any manner, through this article.”

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