Do not use long term
Swissmedic warns of the risk of addiction to cold and laxatives
The Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swissmedic, warns of the risk of addiction from snuff and laxatives. Recently, an increase in imports of large quantities of decongestants and laxatives containing the active ingredient bisacodyl has been observed.
The Swissmedic Institute for Therapeutic Products warns of the risk of addiction with certain nasal sprays and laxatives. (icon picture)
Be careful with cold and laxatives! As reported by the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, Swissmedic, there is a risk of addiction with the corresponding drugs.
An increase in imports of large quantities of decongestants and laxatives containing the active ingredient bisacodyl was also noted. In recent years, Swissmedic has regularly confiscated illegal imports of nasal sprays or certain laxatives. Deliveries of large quantities ordered by Swiss customers from foreign online pharmacies have recently increased, the authority wrote in a statement on Tuesday.
Long-term use of nasal spray can be dangerous
Anyone who uses decongestant nasal preparations for more than around ten days can become dependent. According to Swissmedic, long-term use of cold sprays or drops can trigger a chronic cold, known as rhinitis medicamentosa.
Most laxatives are not suitable to be taken for more than one to two weeks without medical supervision. According to Swissmedic, over-the-counter laxatives with the active ingredient bisacodyl can lead to a vicious circle: the constant intake of these tablets disturbs the water and electrolyte balance, which can lead to a reduction in intestinal activity, which in turn leads to the repeated use of these same laxatives.
Due to the potential for addiction, Swiss pharmacies and drugstores would not sell several of these over-the-counter nasal sprays or large quantities of laxatives to customers. Since Swiss medicinal product law is not applicable abroad, it is more difficult to implement health protection measures for imports than at home.
Anyone who orders medicines abroad risks criminal proceedings
Swissmedic reported to the competent foreign supervisory authorities mail-order pharmacies that supplied Swiss customers with harmful quantities of snuff sprays or certain laxatives. Nevertheless, questionable quantities of over-the-counter preparations are still available from individual foreign mail-order pharmacies without advice or quantity restrictions.
Swissmedic warns against ordering medicines from abroad. Those who use such offers risk costs and, in serious cases, criminal proceedings. Only with medicines from controlled sources is it guaranteed that the quality is right, the medical advice is guaranteed and health is not endangered. (SDA)