2023-12-14 12:40:00
The medical journal “Prescrire” updated its list of medications to be avoided in December, due to a benefit-risk balance deemed unfavorable by the editorial staff.
Like every year, the journal Prescrire publishes an inventory of “medications to be avoided for better treatment”. This summary lists drugs which, according to the medical journal, are more dangerous than useful, and sold in France.
The 2024 edition “does not include any new drugs to exclude,” explain the editors. “But it still has a large number of drugs that are more dangerous than useful, which reflects the inadequacies of health authorities in protecting patients.”
The report of the journal Prescrire thus includes 88 drugs marketed in France, which present an unfavorable benefit/risk balance. Oncology, cardiology, ophthalmology or even smoking cessation, no specialty is spared.
High-risk painkillers
Thus, among the most commonly used medications, Prescrire highlights certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. While some are safe, others pose risks. Aceclofenac (Cartrex®…) and diclofenac (Voltarene®…) orally “expose people to an increase in cardiovascular adverse effects (including myocardial infarction, heart failure) and deaths of cardiovascular origin compared to other NSAIDs as effective.”
Ketoprofen gel would cause increased photosensitization (eczemas, bullous eruptions) compared to other equally effective topical NSAIDs.
Digestion: clay… and lead
In terms of digestive health, certain medicated clays used in various intestinal disorders including diarrhea, heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux are not without danger. Smecta®, Rennieliquo® or Bedelix® should be avoided due to their natural lead pollution.
Supposed to act on nausea and vomiting, domperidone (Domperidone Biogaran®…), droperidol (Droleptan®…) and metopimazine (Vogalene®, Vogalib®…) would have only limited effectiveness. Worse, they are at risk of heart rhythm disturbances, ischemic strokes and sudden deaths.
Decongestants: serious cardiovascular problems
In the “sore throat” section, paracetamol remains the molecule to prioritize. Alpha-amylase (Maxilase®…), an enzyme with no proven effectiveness greater than that of a placebo, in fact promotes the appearance of sometimes serious skin or allergic disorders.
Finally, the editors of Prescrire recall the dangers of decongestants used in pulmonary or ENT disorders. Many contain ephedrine, naphazoline or pseudoephedrine which can cause serious or even fatal cardiovascular problems.
Smoking cessation: skip Zyban
Bupropion (Zyban®) is part of the antidepressant family, but is not used for its antidepressant properties. It helps reduce the symptoms of smoking withdrawal. But for the journal Prescire, “it is no more effective than nicotine and exposes you to neuropsychological disorders (including aggression, depression, suicidal ideas) and to sometimes serious allergic reactions, in particular”.
Go further : Find the list of 88 drugs “more dangerous than useful” by clicking here.
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