Skip to content

Nasal decongestants safety review due to rare brain risk

Experts are assessing a very rare but potentially serious brain side effect of nasal decongestants bought on the High Street.

Ones containing pseudoephedrine are being reviewed because they may cause vessels supplying the brain to contract or spasm, reducing blood flow.

The concern is this could lead to seizures and even a stroke. However, drug regulators stress the likelihood of this happening is extremely low.

The UK-wide review for pseudoephedrine was initiated after regulators in France alerted European drugs regulator the EMA, which is also conducting a review, about some recent, rare cases.

Experts say anyone with concerns about medication should speak to a doctor or pharmacist. 

Read full story

Source: BBC News, 23 February 2023

User Feedback

Recommended Comments

There are no comments to display.

Create an account or sign in to comment

Registered address: Patient Safety Learning, China Works SB203, 100 Black Prince Road Vauxhall, London, SE1 7SJ

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.