Medications that are ineffective or even dangerous. The medical journal Prescrire publishes its 2024 blacklist, similar to last year’s. In summary: these are 105 medicines – 88 marketed in France – whose benefit-risk ratio remains “unfavorable in all clinical situations in which they are authorized.” However, some of these 88 medications are available without a prescription in pharmacies.
“It is not justified to expose patients to serious adverse effects when clinical efficacy has not been demonstrated,” writes the monthly publication.
Because that’s the problem: in addition to their poor results, these medications have side effects, some of them especially serious. Therefore, the review recommends “discarding them to provide better treatment” and resorting to other options “when drug treatment appears desirable.”
“And in some situations, the most prudent option is not to resort to medication.”
Considered a reliable source of information on medications, Prescrire has been publishing this list for twelve years with the aim of providing caregivers and patients with “clear, concise, reliable and up-to-date” information.
Vogalene, Vogalib: “disproportionate adverse effects”
Among these treatments to avoid: the best-selling pharmacy ones. Including oral diclofenac, called Voltarene, which exposes you to an increase in cardiovascular adverse effects (myocardial infarction or heart failure) compared to other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
The review also recommends the use of Smecta, although it is widely used in cases of intestinal disorders, due to the natural presence of lead. And remember: “Lead has neurological, hematological, renal and cardiovascular toxic effects, and reprotoxic effects, most of which increase with the dose of exposure.”
Another frequently used treatment for nausea and vomiting: methopimazine, or Vogalene and Vogalib, which exposes heart rhythm disorders, strokes and sudden deaths. “Undesirable effects disproportionate to the symptoms treated and its low effectiveness on nausea and vomiting,” the review denounces.
Maxylase: “placebo effect”
For several years, Prescrire has also pointed out decongestants, used for colds, that contain pseudoephedrine. Medications that expose you to “serious or even fatal” cardiovascular disorders. If not expressly named, these are well-known products: Actifed cold, Dolirhume, Humex cold, Nurofen cold and Rhinadvil.
Also in case of a sensation of nasal congestion, the magazine also mentions solutions for nasal spray: tuaminoheptane – contained in Rhinofluimucil – but also oxymetazoline – present in Aturgil – or even naphazoline, marketed under the name Derinox.
In the cough syrups section, Prescrire once again denounces oxomemazine, or Toplexil, and pentoxiverine (Clarix).
Another product that is often used to relieve sore throats but that the review strongly advises against: alpha-amylase, or Maxylase, which is considered to have “no proven efficacy beyond that of a placebo.” A medication that can cause skin or allergic disorders that are sometimes serious.
Alternative to Maxilase: “In addition to measures (…) such as drinking water or sucking on candy, paracetamol, controlling its dose, is the best option.”
Source: BFM TV
