Archives : 2012

Grapefruit and drug interactions

FEATURED REVIEW Numerous drugs interact with grapefruit juice. Although only a few reports involving severe clinical consequences have been published, they suggest that grapefruit juice should be avoided during drug therapy, especially when the drug has a narrow therapeutic margin or carries a risk of serious dose-dependent adverse effects. Patients should be informed of this risk.
Full review (5 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 December 2012

In the December issue of Prescrire International: Herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax°) is poorly effective in those who need it most

FREE DOWNLOAD Vaccination of the elderly against zoster has a modest preventive effect, but apparently not in those at highest risk (age over 80 years, onset of immunosuppression).

Full text available for free download.

1 December 2012

Immunoassay-based screening for colorectal cancer: cancers detected, at the cost of colonoscopy-related complications

Compared with the traditional Haemoccult° test, immunochemical tests seem to improve colorectal cancer screening. But they double the number of colonoscopies carried out, increasing the number of colonoscopies with no lesions detected and the number of colonoscopy-related complications.

1 December 2012

Medicinal products packaging: too often overlooked

The packaging of medicinal products plays an important part in their correct use. Too often it is neglected by pharmaceutical companies and regulatory bodies, but healthcare professionals need to be aware of the issue and take action.

1 December 2012

The origins of mental disorders: information is often biased

Scientific publications and the mainstream media alike exaggerate the role of biology and genetics in mental disorders.

1 December 2012

Who benefits from the European Paediatric Regulation?

Prescrire's response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the lessons learnt from the first 5 years of application of the Paediatric Regulation (1).

28 November 2012

European medical device regulation: an entire overhaul is urgently needed

In a published response to the article "Medical devices: EU approval system leaves door open for dangerous devices" (BMJ online, 24 October 2012), Prescrire, together with the AIM, ESIP, the ISDB and the MiEF, underlines the failings of the European device regulation as demonstrated by the recent BMJ investigation, and recommends several important changes if patient safety is to be at the heart of the new regulation.

31 October 2012

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto°) and atrial fibrillation: continue to use warfarin or, in some cases, dabigatran

FEATURED REVIEW In patients with atrial fibrillation and a high risk of thrombosis, it is better to continue to use warfarin, a tried and tested drug, and to consider dabigatran when warfarin fails to maintain the INR within the therapeutic range.
Full review (5 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 November 2012

In the November issue of Prescrire International -
Orodispersible paracetamol tablets: danger of poisoning in children

FREE DOWNLOAD Overdose of paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) can cause serious and sometimes fatal liver damage. It is essential to keep medicines out of reach of children and to warn relatives and carers that paracetamol is highly toxic in case of overdose. Safety of packaging remains a key factor.

Full text available for free download.

1 November 2012

Tuberculosis: in case of exposure, monitor those who are most at risk

The care of a person who has been in contact with a tuberculosis patient generally requires simple monitoring for 2 years and sometimes prophylactic treatment.

1 November 2012

European Medicines Agency: rife with conflicts of interest

An official audit has laid bare the European Medicines Agency’s irresponsible management of conflicts of interest both among its personnel and the external experts it consults.

1 November 2012

Treatment objectives: should be shared with patients

The objectives of a treatment can depend on different approaches, which should be shared with patients.

1 November 2012

Discussion-debate : "Is too much cancer screening hazardous to your health? The example of breast cancer"

Peter Gøtzsche, a world-renowned expert in the systematic review of clinical trial data, has for many years been studying the question of breast cancer screening. He came to the ceremony for the "Prescrire Prize" book awards in Paris on 4 October 2012 to present his analysis of the limited benefits of such screening, and the real and frequent harms that it causes.

1 November 2012

The 2012 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to 5 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

The recipients of the 2012 "Prix Prescrire" book awards were announced on 4 October 2012. The prize is awarded to works of particular interest to the general public and/or healthcare professionals.

04 October 2012

Asenapine (Sycrest°): a less effective, yet more dangerous, neuroleptic

FEATURED REVIEW Asenapine is no more effective or convenient to use than other neuroleptics, while it carries a risk of additional, sometimes severe, adverse effects. This drug should not be used.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 October 2012

In the October issue of Prescrire International: adverse effects of nicorandil, varenicline, venlafaxine and benfluorex

FREE DOWNLOAD This excerpt from the latest issue demonstrates the variety of information on medicines and their adverse effects published every month in Prescrire International.

Full text available for free download.

1 October 2012

Localised prostate cancer: treatment according to the risk of progression

Treatment of localised prostate cancer depends on its progression. Patients should be involved in the decision and well informed of the benefits and harms of the different options.

1 October 2012

IUD insertion: possible immediately after an abortion

After an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, the immediate insertion of an IUD is at least as effective, and no riskier than a deferred insertion.

1 October 2012

Methylphenidate: abuse and addiction

Methylphenidate is an amphetamine-type psychotropic drug often too widely used for treating "hyperactive" children. Its misuse therefore comes as no surprise and is a cause for concern.

1 October 2012

Adrenaline self-injection: beware of accidental injection

Thorough and repeated training of healthcare professionals, patients and their carers in the use of an autoinjector is the main preventive measure against handling errors.

1 October 2012

Pharmaceutical companies: a reliable investment

Pharmaceutical companies have remained relatively unaffected by the financial crisis. The drugs that generate the biggest profits are not always the first-line option for patients.

1 October 2012

Homeopathy: still no proven efficacy

A review of clinical trials has not produced convincing evidence of homeopathy's efficacy.

1 October 2012

Atopic eczema: avoid topical tacrolimus

France will not reimburse topical tacrolimus in prophylaxis of atopic eczema due to concerns about the risk of cancer.

1 October 2012

"Medicinal" plants: severe hepatitis with Pelargonium

Sometimes commercialised as a simple food supplement, medicinal plants are not always harmless. This is regrettable, especially when they offer no proven benefits.

1 October 2012

European Medicines Agency and pharmacovigilance: no to a fee-for-service system

In a joint press release, the International Society of Drug Bulletins, the Medicines in Europe Forum and HAI Europe argue that the European Commission’s proposed pharmacovigilance fee structure turns the European Medicines Agency (EMA) into a mere provider of services to the pharmaceutical industry . Other funding strategies need to be considered to safeguard the Agency’s independence.

15 September 2012

Black triangle for medicines: Positive move but poor implementation plan

In a joint press release, the International Society of Drug Bulletins (ISDB) and the Medicines in Europe Forum (MiEF) observe that the draft paper on the quality review of documents submitted for consultation by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) does not reflect the spirit of the new pharmacovigilance legislation, which is to prevent drug-induced harm.

16 August 2012

Apixaban. After hip or knee replacement: low-molecular-weight heparin remains the standard treatment

FEATURED REVIEW In 3 trials including a total of nearly 12 000 patients undergoing hip or knee replacement surgery, apixaban was not more effective than enoxaparin on relevant clinical endpoints. The bleeding risk was not lower with apixaban than with enoxaparin. It is better to continue to use a low-molecular-weight heparin such as enoxaparin.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 September 2012

In the September issue of Prescrire International - Management of serious adverse drug reactions: proposals from a victims' organisation

FREE DOWNLOAD The position statement on drug-related risks from the French victims' organisation Amalyste provides valuable food for thought, both for healthcare professionals and for drug regulatory agencies, and has the potential to improve practice.

Full text available for free download.

1 September 2012

Prostate cancer: too many adverse effects from PSA-based screening

There is no evidence to support PSA-based testing to screen for prostate cancer, whereas the adverse effects have been demonstrated.

1 September 2012

Amphetamine-based appetite suppressants: phentermine should not be authorised for sale

Phentermine could come back onto the French market, despite the risk of severe adverse effects.

1 September 2012

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2012

Grapefruit and drug interactions

In the December issue of Prescrire International: Herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax°) is poorly effective in those who need it most

Immunoassay-based screening for colorectal cancer: cancers detected, at the cost of colonoscopy-related complications

Medicinal products packaging: too often overlooked

The origins of mental disorders: information is often biased

Who benefits from the European Paediatric Regulation?

European medical device regulation: an entire overhaul is urgently needed

Rivaroxaban (Xarelto°) and atrial fibrillation: continue to use warfarin or, in some cases, dabigatran

In the November issue of Prescrire International -
Orodispersible paracetamol tablets: danger of poisoning in children

Tuberculosis: in case of exposure, monitor those who are most at risk

European Medicines Agency: rife with conflicts of interest

Treatment objectives: should be shared with patients

Discussion-debate : "Is too much cancer screening hazardous to your health? The example of breast cancer"

The 2012 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to 5 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

Asenapine (Sycrest°): a less effective, yet more dangerous, neuroleptic

In the October issue of Prescrire International: adverse effects of nicorandil, varenicline, venlafaxine and benfluorex

Localised prostate cancer: treatment according to the risk of progression

IUD insertion: possible immediately after an abortion

Methylphenidate: abuse and addiction

Adrenaline self-injection: beware of accidental injection

Pharmaceutical companies: a reliable investment

Homeopathy: still no proven efficacy

Atopic eczema: avoid topical tacrolimus

"Medicinal" plants: severe hepatitis with Pelargonium

European Medicines Agency and pharmacovigilance: no to a fee-for-service system

Black triangle for medicines: Positive move but poor implementation plan

Apixaban. After hip or knee replacement: low-molecular-weight heparin remains the standard treatment

In the September issue of Prescrire International - Management of serious adverse drug reactions: proposals from a victims' organisation

Prostate cancer: too many adverse effects from PSA-based screening

Amphetamine-based appetite suppressants: phentermine should not be authorised for sale