Doctors warn Dafalgan endangers babies

Doctors warn: Dafalgan endangers babies

02/11/2014

Until now, paracetamol, which is sold in Switzerland under names such as Dafalgan or Panadol, was largely harmless. Recently warned in the German media of the side effects of the drug, now also experts in Switzerland are critical.

Drug was long considered harmless
As reported by several newspapers, the most widely used painkiller, paracetamol, which is sold in Switzerland under names such as Dafalgan or Panadol, has hitherto been regarded as largely harmless. Headache, toothache, backache, fever: The over-the-counter medication is available in almost every household for emergencies. But as previously in German media is now in leaves of the neighboring country, such as „Switzerland on Sunday“, warned against the dangers of the remedy.

Paracetamol during pregnancy
It has long been known that the drug can increase the risk of stomach ulcers, heart attacks and strokes, among other things at too high doses. However, two new studies from Denmark and Norway now show that it can have significant side effects for the unborn child if their mother swallows acetaminophen during pregnancy. Thus, the physical and mental health of these children may be limited.

ADHD risk of children increased significantly
These have a 37 percent higher risk of suffering from ADHD than children of mothers who have not taken acetaminophen. In addition, they have an increased risk of asthma and motor development and communication behavior may be disturbed. According to the reports, Swissmedic is now investigating whether it complicates the warning in the package leaflet, as the doctors claim. „Swissmedic closely monitors the potential risks of taking acetaminophen and will check whether the existing warning should be adjusted“, said spokesman Lukas Jaggi.

Required prescription for paracetamol
Gert Printzen, member of the executive board and responsible for the remedy of the medical association FMH, believes that this step is urgently needed. „Only out of sheer caution, we must act on such a suspicion to protect the unborn life. I still have Contergan in mind.“ Other doctors go further and demand that Dafalgan may only be sold with a doctor's prescription. Also in Germany the medicine should be prescribed after expert opinion. Among others, Professor Kay Brune from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg has been campaigning for years for paracetamol to be subject to the prescription requirement. (Ad)