Despite warnings addressed to doctors for several years, serious complications linked to the use of this medication continue to be reported.
It is not a new drug whose side effects we do not yet know well. On the contrary, it is a medicine authorized in France since 1994 which is the subject of new warnings from the Medicines Agency (ANSM). “Despite alerts and recommendations addressed to healthcare professionals in 2012 and 2015, cases of ulcerations and serious complications linked to the use of this medication continue to be reported in France” reveals the authority in a press release.
This medicine is a vasodilator prescribed to patients suffering from angina (angina pectoris). “It can lead to ulcerations that can affect several parts of the body simultaneously (skin, mucous membranes, eye) and develop into severe complications: perforation, fistula, abscess, or even gastrointestinal hemorrhage. These risks are particularly increased in the elderly, on polymedication, and people with diverticular diseases” explains the ANSM.
Ulcers can appear within the first weeks of treatment or several years after initiation. They do not heal with usual treatments, even after surgery. “Only stopping treatment allows healing.” What is this heart medication whose risks are underestimated? Nicorandil. In France, it is marketed under this name by several laboratories such as Biogaran, Sandoz, Viatris Santé, Zentiva France and Eurogenerics.
For the medical journal Prescrire, it is a medicine “to discard” because of its side effects. The Medicines Agency recommends that patients monitor the appearance of the following symptoms: red, painful, watery eyes; mouth and/or skin sores, blood in the stools or vomiting with blood; abdominal pain or unexplained rapid weight loss. If they occur, the medication should be stopped and “see a doctor promptly”. Finally, you should avoid taking Nicorandil at the same time as corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin, because this increases the risk of ulcerations and digestive bleeding.
