According to Prescribe88 drugs are to be excluded from the French pharmaceutical market in 2025. In fact, the journal has just published its December 2024 edition in which it establishes its assessment of the drugs to be excluded in 2025. In all, 106 drugs appear in this black list, including 88 marketed in France, sometimes for decades.
These drugs often present an unfavorable benefit-risk balance, that is to say that patients incur far too high risks by taking these rather than others, for example, or that the drug presents too many side effects. important in relation to what they are supposed to deal with. On the other hand, other drugs do not have any more clinical effects than placebos and their use therefore appears unnecessary.
Thus, among these drugs with formidable side effects or clinically unproven effectiveness include phloroglucinol, better known under the name Spasfon and on sale everywhere in France. Phloroglucinol has many undesirable effects such as allergic reactions, even rare Lyell syndrome (a dermatological syndrome potentially fatal for the patient). Its effectiveness remains uncertain, particularly on intestinal disorders, or even on gynecological or period pain, and it would not exceed… that of a placebo. It is also only marketed in France and Italy, Belgium having stopped its marketing in 2010. However, in 2023, in France, nearly 26.5 million boxes have been reimbursed by health insurance.
Medications for flu and colds to avoid
Beyond phloroglucinol, other medications have an unfavorable benefit-risk balance even though they are available over the counter throughout France. This is also the case for certain medicated clays such as diosmectite (Smecta) or hydrotalcite (Rennie somehow) containing natural lead pollution and can therefore be dangerous from a neurological point of view. So, according to Prescribeit is preferable to turn to alternatives with fewer risks, when the use of a medication is really necessary, such as a clay-free antacid, such as Gaviscon for example, composed of sodium bicarbonate and sodium alginate.
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As the winter period approaches, colds, flu-like illnesses and coughs return, so it is very tempting to take cough syrups, especially to get a peaceful night's sleep. However, many mild cough medications pose disproportionate risks. This is for example the case of oxomemazine (Toplexil), exposing it to numerous undesirable effects. But ambroxol, or Mukholis not to be outdone since it exposes you to the risk of anaphylactic reactions, or skin reactions which can in rare cases be fatal, although it is no more effective than a placebo. So, in the event of a cough, if you really want to take medication, it is preferable, depending on Prescribeto turn to dextromethorphan, contained for example in the syrup Thousand pagesalthough it also has limitations.
In addition to the cough, sore throats also resurface. It is then tempting to take a throat lozenge to calm the pain and loss of voice. However, alpha-amylase, more commonly called Maxillasis an enzyme that does not demonstrate clinical effectiveness while it can cause skin or allergic disorders, which in certain cases can become serious. Prescribe indicates that the best remedies for the inconveniences of winter remain honey, sugar water, sweets to suck or even paracetamol in case of severe pain.
Read alsoThese 4 cough syrups that will be withdrawn from the market
Medicines for joint pain and depression to avoid
93% of French people say they have already suffered from joint pain, according to an IFOP survey entitled “The French and rheumatism” conducted in 2016. Thus, it seems logical that many of them try to take medication to relieve their pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonplace in the field of joint pain. They all have more or less the same common side effects, with a few exceptions.
For example, aceclofenac (Cartrex) and diclofenac (Voltarene) expose patients to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes, such as myocardial infarction or heart failure. Always with the aim of relieving pain, “muscle relaxant” medications, such as Miorel, seem like a good option. However, some of them do not demonstrate effectiveness beyond the placebo effect, while others such as methocarbamol (Lumirelax) expose you to digestive and skin disorders. So, Prescribe recommends turning to paracetamol, ibuprofen or even naproxen in cases of severe pain.
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Finally, in the blacklist of Prescribe include some depression medications, exposing patients to greater side effects than others. For example, we can find agomelatine, or Valdoxanto the effectiveness of a placebo and exposing patients to hepatitis, pancreatitis, suicide, attacks of aggression or even skin damage. Citalopram (Seropram) and l'escitalopram (Seroplex), so-called IRS antidepressants (so-called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants) carry additional risks and more serious consequences when overdosed compared to other drugs in the same family.
Finally, remember that it is important to avoid self-medication and to turn to a health professional if necessary.
