What is the drug Maxilase?
Maxilase® is an antiseptic drug which belongs to the family of enzymes for anti-inflammatory purposes. His role ? " Treat congestive states of the oropharynx ": Clearly, Maxilase® acts against acute inflammation and edema of the throat.
Maxilase: how does it work? The active substance in Maxilase® is alpha-amylase: this anti-inflammatory enzyme is naturally present in the body, in saliva and pancreatic juices. It decongests the respiratory tract and locally reduces inflammation to soothe discomfort and pain, especially in the throat.
In pharmacies, Maxilase® is sold over the counter: no medical prescription is necessary. On the other hand, since January 2020, this medicine (which is not reimbursed by Social Security) is no longer freely available: you must ask the pharmacist. It is found in several forms:
- Maxilase sore throat adult® (box of 15 or 30 pale orange tablets),
- Maxilase sore throat® (tangerine flavor syrup, 125 mL or 200 mL bottle).
Warning ! Although Maxilase® is available over the counter in pharmacies, self-medication is to be avoided absolutely: ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medication!
The drug Maxilase® has been marketed since the 1970s by the Sanofi-Aventis laboratory. It also exists in generic form: Alfa-amylase® (syrup or tablets) is thus marketed by Biogaran laboratories.
Indications and precautions for use: when to take Maxilase?
The drug Maxilase® is mainly indicated for the treatment of sore throats in adults and children. It is used especially in cases of angina, nasopharyngitis or following surgical procedures in odonto-somatology.
Maxilase: instructions for use. In adults: 1 tablet or 1 tsp. to s. syrup, 3 times a day. In children over 3 years old (and weighing more than 15 kg): 2 tsp. to c. syrup, 3 times a day. In children aged 6 months to 3 years (and weighing between 7 kg and 15 kg): 1 tsp. to c. syrup, 3 times a day.
Warning ! Treatment with Maxilase® must last a maximum of 5 days: after this period, a medical consultation is required.
Maxilase: contraindications. The drug Maxilase® should not be taken in case of allergy to the active ingredient (alpha-amylase enzyme). Furthermore, Maxilase® contains lactose and sucrose: its use is therefore contraindicated in the event of intolerance to galactose or fructose, lapp lactase deficiency or malabsorption of glucose and / or galactose, or sucrase / isomaltase deficiency – these are rare hereditary diseases, however.
Maxilase: is this drug really effective?
Warning ! Alpha-amylase (the active substance in Maxilase®) can cause potentially serious side effects. So, in rare cases, this drug can be responsible for an allergic reaction that manifests itself through characteristic symptoms:
- Skin rash: itchy hives,
- A sudden drop in blood pressure: brutal and abnormal tiredness, a feeling of discomfort,
- Swelling: of the face and / or throat, in particular,
- Difficulty breathing …
If you are taking Maxilase® and the above symptoms appear, stop treatment immediately and promptly consult your doctor or an Emergency Department.
To know. Between 1985 and 2017, the drug Maxilase® was responsible for 474 undesirable effects, mainly skin and allergic: a third of the cases concerned children and half of the cases were serious.
Is Maxilase (really) effective? Not sure. In a notice published in September 2004, the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) noted that " taking into account the efficacy / adverse effects ratio not established (…) (this medicine) is not of interest in terms of public health ". In addition, in 2018, the Commission in charge of the re-evaluation of medicinal products at ANSM concluded that the benefit-risk balance of alpha-amylase was unfavorable in the treatment of sore throat.
In an article published in April 2019, the review Prescribe concludes that " alpha-amylase should be avoided. In patients affected by sore throat, sweets to suck, and hot or laced drinks often help relieve pain temporarily. Otherwise, paracetamol is the first choice pain reliever. ".
Sources:
National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM)
High Authority for Health (HAS)
Vidal Encyclopedia
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