The Federal Ministry of Health wants to oblige drug manufacturers to provide a warning in future of painkillers such as aspirin. A corresponding decree was submitted by responsible Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) to Federal Council, which, according to its own data, wishes to vote on 8 June. First, news magazine Focus had reported on it.

The so-called analgesics Warning Regulation (AnalgetikaWarnHV) refers to freely available-for-sale means used to treat mild to moderately severe pain or fever, such as active substances paracetamol, ibuprofen and Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin).

He wanted to "promote safe handling of free-for-sale painkillers," said Spahn paper. According to regulation, it should be stated in future: "In case of pain or fever without medical advice no longer apply than specified in package leaflet." An investigation by Robert Koch Institute had shown 2014 that one in five patients takes painkillers longer than recommended maximum duration of four days. Many of m indicated that y had not read leaflet.

The long-term consequences of long-term consequences

Anything but harmless: why painkillers can be harmful – and who needs to be careful

Those who swallow painkillers occasionally do not have to worry. However, a long-term intake is associated with risks: up to paracetamol almost all preparations attack stomach mucosa. All active ingredients can damage kidneys, overdosed paracetamol causes liver failure. A recent, retrospective study shows a correlation (but not necessarily causality) between ingestion of painkillers and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Ace can cause seizures of breathlessness in asthma patients, and it inhibits blood clotting.

Pregnancy

Ibuprofen and Ace are allowed to take women only in first two-thirds of pregnancy. Paracetamol has so far been considered harmless. In observational studies, re were indications that children whose mors had taken paracetamol during pregnancy were more likely to suffer from asthma, ADHD or testicular highs – but results are controversial. The Embryotox.de Internet portal continues to classify paracetamol as harmless at moment.

Old people and children

In old age performance of liver and kidneys decreases. Drugs that are removed from se organs are refore kept longer in body. This also applies to pain relievers. Children with fever should never get an ace without a medical consultation, because in connection with this a rare but dangerous cerebral inflammation has occurred. *

Naproxen and Diclofenac are prohibited until age of twelve or 16 years. Ibuprofen and paracetamol are lower doses in children.

Correction Note: * In an earlier version of box, children are not likely to get aspirin. Meant was not brand aspirin, but active ingredient ace. Since a causal relationship between occurrence of mentioned disease (Reye syndrome) and ingestion of ACE is not absolutely unequivocally substantiated, we now chose a more cautious formulation here.

Date Of Update: 28 April 2018, 12:03