Pharmacist UGM Calls The Prohibition Of Sirop Drugs Don't Be Hit Flatly, Give Examples Of Epileption Treatment

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JAKARTA - Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy expert Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) Prof Zullies Ikawati asked that drug bans in the form of sirops related to acute kidney failure cases should not be beaten flat for all treatment.

"Indeed, at this time the risk of acute kidney failure seems to be considered greater with the use of sirop, so it is recommended to stop it, but it should not be large (aligned)," Zullies said in a written statement received in Yogyakarta, Saturday, October 22, as reported by Antara.

The ban on drug use in the form of sirop for all treatments has become a very dilemmatic decision. This is because this type of drug is widely used for children who have not been able to swallow tablets or capsules.

In addition, stopping the use of this sirop drug will have an impact on children with chronic diseases who have to take routine drugs in the form of sirops where their use so far has not caused dangerous side effects.

"For example, children with epilepsy who have to take regular medication, then when the drug is stopped or changed form it can make the seizure out of control," he said.

Therefore, he hopes that the ban needs to be regulated wisely while still considering the risks and benefits of its use.

Although still a mystery, Zullies said there are various factors that cause acute kidney failure, including certain infections such as leptospirosis, one of which can attack the kidneys.

In addition, E. coli bacterial infection, he said, could also cause acute kidney failure.

"The interim study from the Ministry of Health states that screening of viruses and bacteria has been carried out, but has not been proven strong as a cause of acute kidney failure," he said.

Although the cause of the case is still mysterious, Zullies appealed to the public to remain calm and not panic.

For now, he hopes that the public will be advised to temporarily follow the advice of government officials such as the Ministry of Health, BPOM, doctors' associations and others to avoid taking the form of sirop drugs until more definite results are obtained.

If children experience fever, cough, or runny nose, said Zullies, they should take paracetamol in the form of puyer, capsules, tablets, suppositoria or other forms and to reduce the bitter taste, a safe sweetener can be added to the child.

Parents, he said, also need to always consult the effects of usingemphetamine with doctors and pharmacists.

"For paracetamol, which reduces symptoms, maybe the use of sirop is more risky than its current benefits, where it is being investigated, there may be contamination of materials that can be dangerous. For this reason, it can be tried in the form of a puyer or other forms," he said.