Have you ever seen this commercial on TV before?
It’s a short local version commercial of a so-so popular painkiller (analgesic) called Saridon. Whenever I get a headache or a fever, my mother or grandmother would always tell me to drink Saridon as it is proven more effective compared to the other common painkillers based on their experience. In turn, when a friend experiences the same, I also suggest Saridon. But what do I know about Saridon aside from its being a painkiller? None. Let me check Google for this.
I found (on page 1 of results) a Saridon Wikipedia page, a few reviews, a YouTube link and a Facebook page I almost can’t comprehend. There’s barely any reliable and bold information about Saridon. No official website can attest to its effectiveness and reliability, or even just to show what the product truly is. Unfortunately, there’s a news about Saridon being unsafe for intake. I also just recently knew that Saridon is only being marketed exclusively here in the Visayas and in Mindanao. But why?
To feed off doubt and curiosity, the Wiki page might help. Saridon has been banned by the US Food and Drug Administration long ago as it has been found with a carcinogen component.
As a result of this market pullout, Saridon has been reformulated with propyphenazone, a “safer” derivative of phenacetin. However, its reformulation has proven to be similarly unsafe.
The Saridon being sold in stores now, with a more catchy name Saridon Triple Action to boot, is the one that contains propyphenazone. Scary, right.
Of course as a Filipino, and more over a Cebuano, I put heavy doubts on the safety of the drug Saridon. Now that there are gaps in its safety and with its rigid past, I doubt I’ll ever suggest Saridon again to friends or to family. No question about effectiveness, maybe. But on the safety side, I guess we have to look more closely than what we are used to (which is trusting it right then and there because it is effective). Bayer AG, manufacturer of Saridon, must do something. They can either prove that Saridon is 100% safe and in turn convince the medical experts about it or be transparent in their product description. Aside from the commercials, they must also invest in putting up a website. More and more people are now online and with a reliable page setup online, I guess it’d help.
But for now, I’ll have to inform my family and friends about the bad news regarding the intake of Saridon. Of course, there’s always a chance for them (Bayer) to redeem themselves. Lastly, why don’t you guys sell Saridon in Manila too? I bet more people experience headache there than here in Cebu. 
JK.
When it comes to one’s health, better safe than sorry. (Photo from cherryboiy of Flickr)
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40 years ago I was advised by my Doc to get Saridon for migraine headaches. I took them every weekend due to the work I was performing. Saridon was the only medication that would alleviate the pain of the migraines. Within 6 months, I was in hospital with kidney failure, nearly dying. Diagnosed that I was taking too much of the same medication, hence disintegration of one of my kidneys. 3 months all told in hospital. Luckily I am still alive!!! Only now I am under specialists for renal problems yet again. Will find out later this week if its all down to that bloody medication. All, please be aware of what you are taking and the amounts as well.
ARPH.
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I’ve been taking Saridon for over a year now, about 6 tabs a day, so far so good. I have this condition of daily headaches caused by stiffening neck muscles. I think all drugs have positive and negative effects, but you need to take them to be able to do your daily living.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saridon
The Saridon I’m taking was purely paracetamol (500 mg). I asked someone to buy Saridon for me and was surprised to find that it’s been reformulated.
The drug is also available in Luzon. I’m from Bulacan.
The product is available in more than 75 countries. It’s safe.
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As you can see, the older Saridon is 500mg paracetamol. The same as Biogesic, Tempra, Tylenol and Alvedon.
Despite reports of acute liver failure, it remains as the safest pain reliever. Even pregnant women can take it. You can also take it on an empty stomach.
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http://business.inquirer.net/33607/coffee-for-your-headache-why-not It is now available in Manila…
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Posted December 8th, 2011 at 9:39 AM
Oh yeah. Thanks for the info! So it’s now available nationwide pala.
personally, i dont think that having read something from the net will merit such a sweeping statement. although, it is with sense that you would then have your family stop from using it for safety reasons..the quest for truth doesn’t basically stop there nor will it end as you put on the last period to your blog.
try asking doctors…persons with authority…go to BFAD or DTI…that i think should be the best way that a good consumer should do rather than spreading hearsay on the net….i’ve got a feeling that because of too much competition in the pharma industry…this could just be another economically triggered action…a kind of dirty way of addressing competition…
on the idea that why is it not sold in Luzon…well, you have to think beyond the confines of that simple thought given by your brain…. businesses have the option to plan things out…they go by stages…who knows…the next time you see saridon…it would be right at your nearest pharmacy…
…spread things responsibly…dig more…think more….
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Posted January 4th, 2012 at 8:54 PM
Hi, thanks for the comment.
This article is not bad propaganda against Saridon. I have cited my sources here when I wrote this one (I wonder though why some links don’t point out to the right pages anymore) and I believe all I wanted to do is say my opinion about Saridon and how the information I learned might open up more discussions for other people to tackle on. This is also helpful for Saridon in their transparency about their products.
Also, if you might want to refer on the previous comment, Saridon is already available in Manila. I know it wasn’t wrong when I questioned why Saridon didn’t include Luzon as their market before. It’s my right to ask and question.
Thanks for the comment. And I will heed your last piece of advice.
saw a commercial of this earlier and it spurred my interest so i searched it online and saw this blog. this really made me think twice about the product. the makers of this brand should make an effort to clarify the issues you have raised.
but what actually surprised me is when I discovered that there were at least 10 bloggers who also made a similar bad writeup during the same period. is this purely coincidental? maybe that is the reason why the previous commenter felt like this was a black propaganda.
in any case, each one of use should do our own research especially for drugs. for me, i will personally ask our doctor on this.
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It’s easy to think that this article has black propaganda written all over it. You didn’t even post anything factual about Saridon. And if you did Google it, didn’t you see these? http://www.mims.com/Indonesia/drug/info/Saridon/Saridon%20tab
http://saridon.thefilipinodoctor.com/
These pretty much answer your questions on safety. Even a casual Google user can find these.
If you value your credibility as an independent blogger, I guess you should write a follow up on this article–something based on facts and not just hearsay. That should clear doubts about you having a benefactor. Just saying.
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