Omission and inaccuracy of drug labeling information on pharmaceutical excipients may expose susceptible individuals to adverse reactions caused by preservatives and dyes. Complications of inadvertent intake of sugar-containing medicines by diabetics, or aspartame intake by patients with phenylketonuria may also occur.

Aim: to evaluate the presence of preservatives, dyes, sweeteners and flavouring substances in 73 pharmaceutical preparations of 35 medicines for oral administration, according to drug labeling information about the excipients. Methods: 35 medications were selected, both over-the-counter and prescription durgs, marketed in Brazil. The sample included: analgesic/antipyretic, antimicrobial, mucoregulatory, cough and cold, decongestant, antihistamine, bronchodilator, corticosteroid, antiinflammatory and vitamin medications. We collected data on 73 preparations of these drugs, according to drug labeling information regarding preservatives, dyes, sweeteners and flavourings. Results: Methylparaben and propylparaben were the most common preservatives found (43% and 35.6% respectively). The most common sweeteners were: sucrose (sugar) (53.4%), sodium saccharin (38.3%) and sorbitol (36.9%). Twenty-one medicines (28,7%) contained two sweeteners. Colourless medicines predominated (43.8%), followed by those with sunset yellow dye (FD&C yellow no. 6) (15%). Five products (6.8%) contained more than one colour agent. Tartrazine (FD&C yellow no. 5) was present in seven preparations (9.5%). Fruit was the most common flavouring found (83%). Labelings of drugs which contained sugar frequently omitted its exact concentration (77%). Of the four labelings of medicines which contained aspartame, two did not warn patients regarding phenylketonuria. Conclusions: Omission and inacuracy of drug labeling information on pharmaceutical excipients may expose susceptible individuals to adverse reactions caused by preservatives and dyes. Complications of inadvertent intake of sugar-containing medicines by diabetics, or aspartame intake by patients with phenylketonuria may also occur.

Resumo OBJETIVO Analisar as notificações de incidentes relacionados aos medicamentos potencialmente perigosos dispensados em um hospital de ensino do interior de São Paulo. MÉTODOS Estudo descritivo, retrospectivo com abordagem quantitativa dos dados provenientes da análise das notificações em farmacovigilância que ocorreram no período de janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2014, a partir de tabelas e gráficos, apresentando as frequências absolutas/relativas. RESULTADOS Das 786 notificações de farmacovigilância, 188 foram relacionadas aos medicamentos potencialmente perigosos, sendo 36,7% de ineficácia terapêutica, 32,44% queixa técnica, 15,95% reação adversa, 7,44% flebite, 5,13% extravasamento, 1,06% erro de dispensação, 0,53% erro de administração e 0,53% erro de medicação. Os profissionais que mais notificaram foram enfermeiros. Os grupos farmacológicos de maior notificação foram drogas com ação sobre sistema nervoso (35,63%). CONCLUSÃO A análise demonstrou que houve um número de notificações expressivo e necessidade de adoção de estratégias a fim de garantir maior segurança do paciente.

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