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| Dian Ermawati was accompanied by Rahmania Santoso as the host in responding to the syrup drug poisoning case (Photo : Istimewah) |
Recently, the public has been shocked by cases of kidney failure that attack children due to the consumption of syrup drugs. Responding to this, the lecturer of the Pharmacy Study Program at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) Dian Ermawati, S.Farm., Apt., M.Farm. She explained that the case of kidney failure or, in medical terms, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) was derived from a syrup drug additive. Meanwhile, he and Aghnia discussed the syrup poisoning case on the UMMTalks agenda on October 24, 2022.
Furthermore, as he is usually known, Dian explained that to maintain and stabilize the drug for two years, the pharmaceutical industry included several active substances in the syrup. In addition to containing paracetamol, syrup drugs have other active ingredients, namely solvents. Its function is to dissolve water with other active ingredients.
"There are four solvents allowed by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM): propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, and glycerin or glycerol. Apart from that, some solvents are prohibited by BPOM, namely ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol," said the lecturer of pharmaceutical technology.
In the case of syrup drugs that cause AKI, Dian explained that there was contamination of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in safe solvents. The pollution exceeds the permissible threshold, causing kidney problems for users. Due to the solvent's contamination, BPOM prohibits using all syrup drugs for both children and adults.
"All syrup medicines, both for adults and children, have the same composition of ingredients. The thing that distinguishes the two lies in the content of the active substance they contain. Therefore, until BPOM carries out a thorough examination, the public is expected not to use syrups," said Dian.
On the other hand, Lecturer of the Faculty of Health Sciences Aghnia Fuadatul Inayah, M.Farm.Klin., Apt. said that there are still many people who have difficulties due to the restriction of this syrup. Many people, both adults and children cannot swallow medicine properly. Some people even destroy the treatment and drink it with water to make it easier to swallow.
"I understand the difficulties of society. Moreover, small children are always fussy when given pills or capsules of medicine. But I do not recommend crushing pills independently at home. People who can't swallow pills should ask for help from pharmacists to crush them into a powder so that the dosage remains right," said the lecturer of clinical pharmacy at UMM.
In addition, to avoid symptoms of poisoning or AKI side effects on other drugs, Aghnia, as she is called, suggests several ways to anticipate. The first is to consult a doctor regarding the use of drugs. The second is to buy medicines from registered health facilities such as pharmacies. Third, use the drug according to the rules. Finally, throw away the medicine and packaging separately when not in use.
"Some of the drugs in the stalls do not have distribution permits. Some do not include the appropriate rules for use. Therefore, I suggest people buy drugs at the nearest pharmacy or clinic. The method of disposing of drugs must also be considered so as not to be misused by an evil person, " she ended. (syi/wil)
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