Alert: New Side Effects Found In Common Eye Drops And Blood Pressure Medicine

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a safety alert for two widely used medications, Acetazolamide and Amlodipine on 28th June, due to newly discovered side effects.

Acetazolamide and Amlodipine: Newly Found Side Effects

• Acetazolamide: Used post-operation for glaucoma treatment, this medication has been linked to “choroidal effusion or choroidal detachment,” which means fluid accumulation in a layer of the eye.
• Amlodipine: Commonly prescribed for high blood pressure and heart-related chest pain (angina), it has been associated with “Lichenoid Keratosis,” a skin condition characterized by small, reddish-brown or pink patches.

Expert Advice:

• Dr. Sanjiv Gupta from New Delhi’s i-Care Centre emphasizes the importance of recognizing symptoms early, such as ocular pain, headache, and blurred vision, to prevent serious conditions like secondary angle-closure glaucoma. Prompt management, including discontinuation of the drug, can prevent permanent vision loss.
• Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, former president of the Kochi wing of the Indian Medical Association, explains that Lichenoid Keratosis is a non-cancerous skin condition also linked to various other medications.

Patients and healthcare professionals are advised to monitor for these side effects and report any occurrences to ensure timely intervention and optimal patient outcomes.