“Serious cases continue to be reported to us” informs the National Medicines Agency in a press release.
“Watch your transit.” In a press release published on June 11, the National Medicines Agency (ANSM) calls on the French to “vigilance” concerning the side effects of a medication often taken over a long period of time. It is a specific side effect of the treatment which poses a problem to the authorities: this undesirable effect is “known, frequent, listed in the notices” And “may in certain cases be responsible for serious complications or even death”. But, very often, patients who take it do not know that it can be dangerous… especially for their intestines.
“Serious cases continue to be reported to us, continues the ANSM. We remind healthcare professionals and patients of the importance of appropriate prevention, increased vigilance and early management of any constipation.” Because it is precisely this undesirable effect that can prove fatal. The drug in question has anticholinergic effects. It is for these effects that it is prescribed. But it is also because of them that he can become dangerous. “Physicians should be particularly vigilant with patients aged 60 and over who may be particularly sensitive to anticholinergic effects” warns the authority.
An anticholinergic drug acts on the nervous system. It can slow down the functioning of certain organs such as the intestines, bladder or salivary glands. If the functioning of the intestines slows down, constipation occurs. The patient may also have dry mouth, difficulty urinating, or blurred vision. The drug referred to here, or rather the family of drugs, is that of neuroleptics. “All neuroleptics present a risk of constipation, sometimes severe, due to their anticholinergic properties” alerts the ANSM.
“Consult quickly if…”
In France, several neuroleptics are available. The most prescribed are aripiprazole (Abilify®), olanzapine (Zyprexa®), quetiapine (Xeroquel®), risperidone (Risperdal®), paliperidone (Xeplion®, Trevicta®), clozapine (Leponex®) and amisulpride (Solian®). The ANSM alert concerns this entire family of drugs. They are mainly used to treat certain psychiatric illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. They can also be prescribed in cases of agitation, in certain neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, or for certain depressions.
For prevention, the authorities recommend that patients taking these treatments: report any abdominal pain, severe constipation or unexplained diarrhea to their doctor or pharmacist; stay hydrated enough and eat a diet rich in fiber; do not change your treatment without medical advice and consult quickly in the event of symptoms suggestive of severe constipation or complications (absence of stools, intense abdominal pain, swollen stomach, vomiting, fever, etc.). People over 60 often take several medications and are therefore particularly at risk of side effects. Recently, a study warned of the risk of cognitive disorders associated with taking an antidepressant. If you have the slightest doubt, do not hesitate to ask your pharmacist or doctor.
