Posted on: Sat 25-03-2017

The attention of the agency has been drawn to the repeated or lengthy use of general anesthetic and sedation drugs during surgeries or procedures in children younger than 3 years or in pregnant women during their third trimester which may affect the development of children’s brains.

 

An anesthetic is a drug to prevent pain during surgery. A wide variety of drugs are used in modern anesthetic practice. Many are rarely used outside of anesthesia, although others are used commonly by all disciplines. Anesthetics are categorized into two classes: general anesthetics, which cause a reversible loss of consciousness, and local anesthetics, which cause a reversible loss of sensation for a limited region of the body while maintaining consciousness. Combinations of anesthetics are sometimes used for their synergistic and additive therapeutic effects. Adverse effects, however, may also be increased.

 

PATIENT/CONSUMER ACTION

• Parents and caregivers should ask for information about the planned surgery or procedure, including the likely duration of surgery and the need, if any, for repeated procedures.
• Parents should also discuss with their child’s health care professional the potential adverse effects of anesthesia on brain development and appropriate timing of procedures that can be delayed without jeopardizing their child’s health. Pregnant women should have similar conversations with their health care professionals.
• Talk to your child’s health care professional for more information or if you have any questions or concerns.
• Patients and consumers  are encouraged to report adverse events associated with the use of these products to the nearest NAFDAC office, NAFDAC PRASCOR (20543 TOLL FREE from all networks) or via [email protected]

NAFDAC........Safeguarding the Health of the Nation!!!

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