Pay attention to the black triangle in the leaflet

Black triangle indicates possible side effects

03/01/2014

Around 150 drugs have been marked with a black triangle in the leaflet since 1 January 2014. This should sensitize patients for possible side effects. However, the drugs involved are not particularly unsafe and do not necessarily trigger strong side effects, as the Drug Commission of the German Pharmacists (AMK) announced. However, little information is available about the medicine.

Black triangle is used to sensitize the patient
Since the beginning of the year, the black triangle has identified around 150 drugs in medications that can cause potential side effects. These are usually preparations that have only recently been on the market or for which little information is available so far. However, the trade association expressly points out that the drugs concerned are by no means particularly unsafe or generally cause severe side effects. Patients who notice the black triangle pointing downwards on the package leaflet should be especially attentive. If side effects occur, these should be discussed promptly with the attending physician or pharmacist.

For side effects of drugs with black triangle doctor or pharmacist inform
The black triangle is supplemented by the note: „This medicine is subject to additional monitoring. "A committee of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in London decides which drugs must be labeled in this way in order to collect more information about the medicine.

„Patients should not be surprised if they are asked by their pharmacist if they tolerate a drug well or if they notice side effects“, explains Professor Martin Schulz, chairman of the AMK. „This has nothing to do with the fact that the pharmacist doubts the compatibility of a drug. Rather, it serves the purpose that the pharmacists want to gather more information on medicines that are not yet established, with the aim of making pharmaceutical therapy even safer.“ (Ag)