The ANSM reminds us with humor: “a drill is loaned between neighbors, not medicines; spices work well when mixed, not medication.“This seems self-evident? Apparently not, if we judge by the 130,000 hospitalizations and more than 7,500 deaths per year linked to the misuse of health products, listed by Social Security. Decryption of risk situations and the correct conduct to follow, with Dr Annie-Pierre Jonville-Bera, head of the Center Val de Loire regional pharmacovigilance center.
What is the risk of changing the doses of my treatment?
According to the investigation by the Medicines Agency, three out of ten French people change their dosage and one in five increases the doses to get relief faster. “These are the most risky misuses because the body only reacts positively to the right dose.indicates Dr Jonville-Bera.
* No more… : “Warning to paracetamol. It is very well tolerated when doses are respected, but it can cause fatal liver damage in the event of excessespecially in undernourished people, with high alcohol consumption or suffering from liver disease.” In healthy young adults, no more than 4 g per 24 hours, or 1 g maximum every 6 hours. Also be careful with opioids (such as tramadol, codeine, fentanyl and oxycodone). They are addictive and pose a risk of overdose responsible for 500 deaths per year. When the pain does not go away, it is absolutely necessary to seek medical advice to adapt the treatment without risk.
* Not less… : Conversely, “If you are subject to chronic treatment, it is not recommended to stop it or even reduce it before the recommended duration or without the green light from the doctor. It is essential with antibiotics to prevent the germ being fought from becoming resistant, with anti-hypertensives to prevent the rebound of high blood pressureor with anti-psychotics the sudden cessation of which can cause a boomerang effect.”
Why not give my medication to a loved one who shares my symptoms?
Half of French people do it, according to the ANSM. But here’s why you should avoid it:
Diseases can be different: “identical symptoms can be caused by different diseases that only the professional will be able to spot.”
The dosage is always personalized: “even if the pathology is the same, the treatment will vary depending on age and weight, history, and possible interaction with other treatments.” says Dr. Jonville-Bera, who takes the example of a simple back pain: “we are tempted to give an anti-inflammatorybut NSAIDs are not recommended in cases of high blood pressure orheart failurebecause the risk of kidney damage is increased.” As for colds, a nasal vasoconstrictor is well tolerated at age 20, but it can be dangerous after age 70, especially if the person already has a heart condition.
Why not reuse (for me or my child) the remedies already prescribed for the same thing?
The context is no longer necessarily the same: the problem often arises with anti-inflammatories sometimes prescribed in a viral context to reduce fever, but strictly not recommended in case of bacterial infection. “A viral pathology can be complicated by a superinfection with streptococci A and last winter, the most serious cases were correlated with the taking of anti-inflammatories.underlines the specialist.
What if I take expired medication?
They are less effective…: their effect deteriorating, some, notably antibiotics, no longer treat effectively enough and can therefore generate antibiotic resistance. Likewise, when they are too old, bronchodilators control an asthma attack less well, and vaccines do not provide good immunity.
…even at risk: this is the case of tetracycline antibiotics which become toxic to the kidneys, eye drops which may be contaminated by a germ, or pediatric syrups often very sweet which can “turn”. Above all, do not take them if the bottle has already been opened.. The ideal is to return them to the pharmacist who will destroy them.
Too many drugs are missing in France
35% of patients were faced with shortages in pharmacies, according to the 2023 barometer from France Assos Santé. Main drugs concerned, notes the report of a senatorial commission made public on July 6, those “marketed for a long time”, such as the antibiotic amoxicillin (Augmentin), antidiabetics or antiepileptics. The only recourse in this case for patients: turn to their doctor to find alternatives, without improvising. The drug production relocation plan, announced in mid-June by the government, aims to prevent possible new serious disruptions. Sanofi has nonetheless decided the cessation of manufacturing in France of 13 active ingredientsamong which 7 are marketed in our country…
Test your habits
On the ANSM website, you will find the quiz “medications: do you have the right reflexes” by clicking on the “Medicines and me” tab, at the top left of the home page. A fun opportunity to make sure you are making good use of all those tablets that may be piling up in your cupboards …
Read also :
⋙ Chronic use of this type of drug increases the risk of dementia, according to a study
⋙ The ANSM warns about this drug after several serious reports
⋙ Shortage of drugs: this antibiotic will no longer be marketed