If you follow the news, you have probably heard that some drugs have just been withdrawn from sale during the month of February. This is the case of the famous cough suppressant "Pneumorel", whose active ingredient, "fenspiride", would have an effect on the occurrence of heart rhythm disorders.
So we decided to look into it to see if all these over-the-counter or prescription drugs, really have a positive effect on our health.
Medication yes, but why?
Throughout the year, we see the arrival of new medications on the market. They are "supposedly" revolutionary, new generation, etc... But on closer inspection, the list of side effects is getting longer and longer. So why such an explosion?
On the usefulness of certain drugs...
ToAt first, a drug is used to treat a disease or to decrease its adverse effects. However, in our current way of life, in a society that constantly asks us to be at 100% of our capacities, there is no more room for illness and its symptoms. So we find ourselves looking, not for drugs that help us heal (that takes too long), but rather for drugs that "obscure" the symptoms of these diseases. We make the fever disappear, yet this increase in our body temperature helps us fight the disease better; we take drugs that stop our transit in case of gastroenteritis, preventing toxins from leaving our body, etc... All this makes these famous "miracle drugs"non-essential and unnecessary in the healing process.
... to their side effects
Now let's look at the side effects list. When you weigh the beneficial effects against the side effects of certain products, you have to admit that some products are more dangerous than useful.
In addition, many times,an equivalent drug with the same or even greater efficacy already exists on the market. However, these drugs have been authorized in Europe before they are available in our pharmacies. Europe has even decided to simplify the conditions for marketing authorization for drugs (MA).
Procurement times are reduced, patent exclusivity periods have been increased, and the level of requirements of drug agencies and patient health safety has been lowered. This leads us to the following question:What motivates the marketing of such a product? Wouldn't it be rather the financial benefits than the health of the patients?
The magazine Prescrire established, in early 2019, the list of drugs "more dangerous than useful", which should be "discarded for better care". These are mainly drugs that expose disproportionate risks compared to the benefits they provide; drugs that are outdated in use, with other drugs with a more favorable benefit-risk balance having been brought to market ; new drugs with a less favorable benefit-risk balance than its equivalent already on the market; and finally, drugs with unproven efficacy and particularly serious side effects.
The medical specialties most concerned by these drugs with side effects greater than benefits are:
- The medicine of pain
- Psychiatry
- Cancerology
- Cardiology
- Pneumology - ENT
.
Pain Medicine
Some painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs increase cardiovascular risk (heart attack, heart failure), risk of eczema, and digestive disorders.
This is the case of diclofenac (Voltarene).
Paracetamol is often insufficient.
It is therefore recommended to opt for ibuprofen or naproxen, using the smallest possible dose for the shortest possible time.
Psychiatry
Some drugs are less effective than others while exposing the patient to serious risks such as hepatitis, aggressive outbursts, suicide, heart rhythm disorders, or skin damage.
Cardiology
Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, or fenofibrate, do not prevent against cardiovascular eventsbut have numerous cutaneous, hematologic, and renal adverse effects.
Pneumology - ENT
These are mostly cold medicines and cough suppressants. Their adverse effects are usually disproportionate to the benefits.
This is the case with ephedrine, naphazoline or pseudoephedrine based decongestants. They expose serious cardiovascular disorders.
Also affected are sore throat medications such as Muxol or Bisolvon. They can cause anaphylactic reactions or severe cutaneous reactions.
Some corticosteroids in spray form such as tixocortol, meanwhile, can cause allergic reactions.
It is therefore more than recommended to read the package insert thoroughly before taking any medication and in the event that the side effects are too numerous or are too severe, ask your doctor or pharmacist if alternatives exist.