Anyone with hay fever told 'don't take Kenalog' over serious safety concerns

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has issued a warning against purchasing Kenalog, a drug that is often advertised on social media platforms and by beauty salons and clinics.

There are growing concerns that many people are resorting to this drug after discovering it online, despite serious safety issues and the fact that it's not licensed by the NHS.

The NPA, which represents over 6,000 independent community pharmacies, has noted an increase in enquiries about Kenalog from healthcare professionals.

The organisation is worried that medication procured from unregulated sellers could be counterfeit and pose a significant risk to patient safety. The NHS no longer prescribes or administers Kenalog for hay fever, as their guidelines have determined that the potential risks outweigh the benefits of the treatment.

Kenalog injections function by temporarily suppressing the immune system. The injection contains a steroid to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms, reports Surrey Live.

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However, this treatment is not suitable for individuals with mild hay fever symptoms, as it may weaken the immune system, making patients more susceptible to other infections, such as flu, chickenpox, and shingles.

Known side effects of the drug include elevated blood pressure, dizziness, severe abdominal pain, depression and mood swings.

In the UK, Kenalog is a prescription-only medicine and is not licensed for the treatment of hay fever.

The product contains triamcinolone acetonide, a steroid injection licensed for treating conditions such as arthritis but not for hay fever.

A joint enforcement notice regarding the advertisement of Kenalog injections was published in 2022 by the MHRA and CAP, instructing all entities that offer Kenalog for hay fever to stop advertising it on social media and their websites.

NPA revealed that a proportion of the medication available online are bogus or do not meet UK safety and quality standards, or could be replaced with other drugs.

Based on a snapshot survey of more than 350 pharmacies, NPA found 45% have had recent inquiries about using Kenalog for hay fever, while 96% reported a notable surge in patients seeking help for hay fever symptoms since early April.

Olivier Picard, NPA chairman, said: "We know that hay fever season is well and truly upon us and as these findings show, pharmacies are reporting increased numbers of patients visiting them to help treat their symptoms.

"Kenalog is not licensed in the UK for the treatment of hay fever and we are clear that patients should not seek it online or request it from their community pharmacy.

"We're urging people to avoid using unlicensed treatments, which could pose a serious risk to their health, and instead speak with their pharmacist about other options for managing hay fever symptoms.

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"Pharmacists are well placed to provide safe licensed alternatives, such as antihistamines or steroid nasal sprays.

"Medication from unregulated sellers could be fake, swapped for an alternative medication and not meet rigorous safety standards we have in the UK.

"Instead, patients experiencing hay fever should visit their local pharmacy on their doorstep, who can quickly and safely provide treatments to relieve their symptoms.

"If people are unsure about medication bought online, they should check with their pharmacist."

The NPA is also calling for regulators to reinstate rules that necessitate a public list of regulated online UK medicine sellers.

These requirements were part of previous EU regulations but were discarded when the UK exited the EU.

The NPA contends that patients should be able to easily identify a regulated online pharmacy and steer clear of sellers who are not regulated in the UK.

Mr Picard believes that reinstating the previous rules would "provide a helpful tool for patients to understand how to find a regulated, safe online pharmacy".