The FDA says to avoid these over -the -counter antacids in a new warning
The agency alerts consumers to a new worrying discovery.
Most of us have at least one over -the -counter antacide (OTC) in ourmedical office At all times, ready to immediately grasp the first sign of a belly problem. But the next time you have stomach burns or stomach aches, you may want to take a second glance at the antacids you have on hand. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA) has just issued a new warning to consumers of an ingredient of antacids that you would better avoid. Read the rest to discover what the agency asks you to be on the lookout.
Read this then:Never take this popular OTC medication for more than 2 days, warns the FDA.
The FDA receives millions of reports on the undesirable effects of drugs each year.
The FDA is responsible for approving drugs before being sold to consumers, but the agency also continues to monitor their safety once they have struck store shelves. To do this, the FDA has a system of adverse event reports (AERS) where manufacturers, health professionals and consumers canAll report a problem They meet different drugs. The agency uses the data of this database to "monitor, identify and analyze the errors of unwanted events and drugs" so that they can act if necessary.AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
The FDA receives more than two million adverse events and drug errors each year - and these are not necessarily minor problems. Research estimated that the undesirable effects of drugs (ADR) could be responsible forMore than 106,000 deaths in the United States, according to the FDA. "The exact number of ADR is not certain and is limited by methodological considerations," explains the agency. "However, whatever the actual number, ADRs represent an important public health problem which is, for the most part, avoidable."
With prevention in mind, the FDA has just issued a new alert to consumers on a worrying unwanted reaction linked to over -the -counter antacids.
Check the list of ingredients on your antacids.
The FDA published aNew consumer update November 7 concerning the use of private over -the -counter antacids. The agency has long warned that aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding, and now it extends the antacid concern that has aspirin as an ingredient.
"Medicines containing aspirin to treat stomach burns, acidic stomach, acidic indigestion or stomach of the evils can cause stomach or intestinal bleeding," said FDA in its new warning.
The agency had previously published an alert in 2009 on the risk of antacids containing aspirin. But although these cases remain rare, the FDA said that a recent examination of its AERS indicated that there had been new cases of serious bleeding of these drugs after its initial warning. "Some of these patients needed blood transfusion," added the agency.
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The FDA advises to use these antacids.
In the light of this potential reaction, the FDA asks people to consider other ways to treat stomach aches or stomach burns. "There are a lot of stomach drugs that do not contain aspirin," said the agency.
Karen Murry, MD, deputy director of the FDA -free prescription office of the FDA, advised consumers to "take a look at the label of drug facts on their over -the -counter antacids. According to Murry, those who contain aspirin have included it on the label, as well as the risk factors for bleeding listed.
"If the product has aspirin, consider choosing something else for your stomach symptoms," she said in a statement, noting that "unless people read the label of the facts of medication When they are looking for relief of stomach symptoms, they may not even think of the possibility that a stomach medication can contain aspirin. "
In reality,Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, aMedical toxicologist and the co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center, saysBetter life That one of the most popular over -the -counter antacids actually contains aspirin, or at least something very similar. "Pepto-Bismol contains a form of aspirin," she says. "Aspirin is a type of salicylate, and the bismuth incorporated into the pepto-bismol is formulated with a salicylate in a compound called subsalicylate of bismuth. Liquid and chewing forms of pepto bismol contain the bismuth subsalicylate."
Johnson-Arbor adds: "other antacid and antidiarrheans products, including generic analogues or marching marching of pepto-bismol, kaopcate and" stomach relief ", can also contain bismuth subsalicylate".
Some people are more at risk of bleeding.
According to the FDA, aspirin in certain combined drugs - such as antacids with aspirin - contribute to major bleeding events, as non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as aspirin decrease blood.
But the risk of undergoing serious bleeding of antacid products containing aspirin is higher for some people. The factors that can increase your risk include being 60 or more, having a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding problems, drinking three alcoholic or more daily drinks, as well as taking drugs in blood thinning, Steroid drugs to reduce inflammation or other drugs containing NSAIDs.
"Signs of stomach warning or intestinal bleeding include a feeling of evil, vomiting blood, passing black or bloody stools or suffering from abdominal pain," said FDA. "These are signs that you should consult a health professional immediately."
Best Life offers the most recent information from high -level experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not supposed to replace professional advice. Regarding the medication you take or any other health issue you have, always consult your health care provider directly.
