Archives : 2013

Drug-related cardiac valve disease

FEATURED REVIEW Valve disease is often attributed to degeneration with no known cause. The frequency of drug-related valve disease has long been underestimated. The possible role of a drug should be considered whenever a new case of cardiac valve disease is diagnosed.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 December 2013

In the December issue of Prescrire International - Ceftaroline fosamil: just another intravenous antibiotic

FREE DOWNLOAD There is no evidence that ceftaroline is more effective than tried and tested antibiotics used in patients with community-acquired pneumonia or serious skin or soft-tissue infections warranting hospitalisation. It is better to stick with established antibiotics.
Full text available for free download.

1 December 2013

Domperidone and cardiac disorders: this drug should be withdrawn now

Domperidone can cause severe cardiac disorders. It is better not to use it.

1 December 2013

Pharmaceutical marketing: scientific publications used for commercial purposes

Drug companies use various methods to sell their products, including the planned publication of articles in scientific journals, a little-known strategy for influencing healthcare professionals.

1 December 2013

Breast cancer: ductal carcinoma in situ - a choice between monitoring and immediate surgery

In cases of asymptomatic ductal carcinoma in situ revealed through mammography screening, clinical monitoring rather than immediate surgery is one of the options to discuss calmly with the patient.

1 December 2013

Devil's claw root: ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding?

Devil's claw root is used in the symptomatic treatment of minor joint pains, even though its efficacy over and above a placebo has not been established. It appears to expose patients to sometimes severe gastrointestinal adverse effects. It is best avoided.

1 December 2013

Placebo-Controlled trials

This letter from Prescrire to the Editor of Health Affairs, in response to "Decline in Placebo-controlled trial results suggests new directions for comparative effectiveness research" (Health Affairs, June 2013), was published in their October 2013 issue. In its letter, Prescrire argues that a drug approval system based on placebo-controlled trials does not encourage real therapeutic progress. Quite the contrary, it opens the door to therapeutic regression.

1 December 2013

Axitinib (Inlyta°): No better than sorafenib in kidney cancer

FEATURED REVIEW In patients with metastatic kidney cancer in whom interferon alfa has failed, the only available comparative trial showed that axitinib did not prolong overall survival compared to sorafenib. Axitinib has a burdensome adverse effect profile and carries a risk of numerous drug-drug interactions.
Full review (2 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 November 2013

In the November issue of Prescrire International -
Piribedil: sleep attacks, also in patients without Parkinson's disease

FREE DOWNLOADUnnecessary exposure of patients to the adverse effects of piribedil is not justified. It is better to use drugs with demonstrated efficacy instead.

Full text available for free download.

1 November 2013

Too much medicine is harmful

Knowing when not to prescribe, how to prescribe wisely and when to “deprescribe” are a challenge for healthcare professionals in which patients should be involved.

1 October 2013

Contraception: second-generation pill rather than the contraceptive patch or vaginal ring

An ethinylestradiol and levonorgestrel combination pill remains the best option. Contraceptive patches and vaginal rings expose women to more thromboses.

1 November 2013

Pharmacovigilance: the role of France's regional centres

France's annual "Journées de Pharmacovigilance" conference allows a brief glimpse into reports that healthcare professionals have filed with the country's regional pharmacovigilance centres, and into the contents of the country's pharmacovigilance database. Information that is useful for improving patient care.

1 November 2013

Ischaemic stroke: sometimes thrombolysis and very often aspirin

In the acute phase of an ischaemic stroke, some patients benefit from thrombolysis when it is administered within 3 hours. Most patients are treated with aspirin.

1 November 2013

Skin conditions: soft paraffin is the reference emollient

Soft paraffin is the reference emollient for skin conditions such as psoriasis and burns, because of its efficacy (softens and moisturises) and its minimal adverse effects.

1 November 2013

Euthanasia: a practice that has been decriminalised in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

In Belgium and the Netherlands, euthanasia accounts for 1 to 3% of deaths, especially in cancer cases.

1 November 2013

"Safer naming, labelling and packaging of medicines": a conference in Paris organised by the International Medication Safety Network

Prescrire hosted the IMSN Satellite conference on Thursday 10 October. Representatives from 20 countries held a public debate on the role of drug regulatory agencies and health authorities in assessing and preventing the risks of medication errors.
> Click here for the press release and to download presentations from the conference

10 October 2013

The 2013 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to 3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

The recipients of the 2013 "Prescrire Prize" book awards were announced on 3 October 2013. The prize is awarded to works of particular interest to the general public and/or healthcare professionals.

03 October 2013

Discussion-debate: "Self-medication: how much autonomy for patients? What is the role of healthcare professionals?"

On 3 October 2013 the editors of the independent French journal Prescrire will announce the winners of the annual Prescrire Prize, which recognises works that are of interest to the public at large and/or healthcare professionals. The awards ceremony will be followed by a discussion-debate (in French) on the theme of self-medication.

1 October 2013

Vitamin D "insufficiency" in adults: beware of vague concepts with uncertain clinical relevance

FEATURED REVIEW There is no proof that measuring blood levels of vitamin D in the general population or in selected subgroups leads to an improvement in the health of those concerned.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 October 2013

In the October issue of Prescrire International: adverse effects of strontium, SSRI antidepressants, terbinafine and...goji berries

FREE DOWNLOAD This sample page from the Adverse Effects section of the October issue gives a taste of the crucial, independent information in every issue of Prescrire International, covering a variety of topics from widely marketed drugs to alternative remedies.

Full text available for free download.

1 October 2013

Pharmaceutical marketing: the harmful influence of pharmaceutical reps' visits on prescriptions

The harmful influence of pharmaceutical sales reps’ visits on prescriptions has long been established and should not be underestimated. Meanwhile pharmaceutical companies and the French Health Ministry are determined to legitimise these visits under cover of a Code of Conduct.

1 October 2013

Osteoarthritis of the knee: avoid intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections

At best, intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections give modest relief to patients suffering knee osteoarthritis pain, at the price of local reactions and sometimes severe adverse effects.

1 October 2013

Abdominal pain: beware of trimebutine overdose

Trimebutine can lead to abuse and addiction, and cause severe neurological and cardiac disorders in the event of overdose.

1 October 2013

"Safer naming, labelling and packaging of medicines":
a conference in Paris on Thursday 10th October, organised by IMSN

The Paris Satellite conference of the International Medication Safety Network will feature a public debate on the role of drug regulatory agencies and health authorities in assessing and preventing the risks of medication errors.
> Click here for details and to register online.

15 September 2013

Baclofen and severe alcohol dependence: an uncertain harm-benefit balance as of early 2013

FEATURED REVIEW More data are needed on the efficacy and adverse effects of baclofen in alcohol dependence, compared with other options. Patients who have received thorough, well-balanced information, and decide to try baclofen as a last resort should be included in comparative clinical studies.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 September 2013

In the September issue of Prescrire International:
Ferumoxytol (Rienso°) - an intravenous iron, riskier than iron sucrose

FREE DOWNLOAD Pharmacovigilance data and the results of a clinical trial show that serious adverse events are more frequent with ferumoxytol (Rienso°) than with iron sucrose.

Full text available for free download.

1 September 2013

Intranasal influenza vaccine for children (Fluenz°): it is better to keep to the injectable vaccine

In children where vaccination against influenza is advisable, the live attenuated influenza intranasal vaccine has not been evaluated in terms of influenza complications. It is better to keep to the injectable vaccine.

1 September 2013

Peripheral neuropathy: sometimes medication-related

Numerous medicinal products (especially anticancer and anti-infective drugs) expose patients to damage of the peripheral nerves, resulting in highly debilitating disorders.

1 September 2013

Bisphenol A: to be avoided

It is advisable to avoid canned food and plastic packaging for storing and re-heating food and beverages, especially for pregnant women and infants.

1 September 2013

Self-screening for prostate cancer: ban in France is justified

Screening for prostate cancer by measuring PSA levels presents an unfavourable harm-benefit balance.

1 September 2013

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2013

Drug-related cardiac valve disease

In the December issue of Prescrire International - Ceftaroline fosamil: just another intravenous antibiotic

Domperidone and cardiac disorders: this drug should be withdrawn now

Pharmaceutical marketing: scientific publications used for commercial purposes

Breast cancer: ductal carcinoma in situ - a choice between monitoring and immediate surgery

Devil's claw root: ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding?

Placebo-Controlled trials

Axitinib (Inlyta°): No better than sorafenib in kidney cancer

In the November issue of Prescrire International -
Piribedil: sleep attacks, also in patients without Parkinson's disease

Too much medicine is harmful

Contraception: second-generation pill rather than the contraceptive patch or vaginal ring

Pharmacovigilance: the role of France's regional centres

Ischaemic stroke: sometimes thrombolysis and very often aspirin

Skin conditions: soft paraffin is the reference emollient

Euthanasia: a practice that has been decriminalised in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

"Safer naming, labelling and packaging of medicines": a conference in Paris organised by the International Medication Safety Network

The 2013 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to 3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

Discussion-debate: "Self-medication: how much autonomy for patients? What is the role of healthcare professionals?"

Vitamin D "insufficiency" in adults: beware of vague concepts with uncertain clinical relevance

In the October issue of Prescrire International: adverse effects of strontium, SSRI antidepressants, terbinafine and...goji berries

Pharmaceutical marketing: the harmful influence of pharmaceutical reps' visits on prescriptions

Osteoarthritis of the knee: avoid intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections

Abdominal pain: beware of trimebutine overdose

"Safer naming, labelling and packaging of medicines":
a conference in Paris on Thursday 10th October, organised by IMSN

Baclofen and severe alcohol dependence: an uncertain harm-benefit balance as of early 2013

In the September issue of Prescrire International:
Ferumoxytol (Rienso°) - an intravenous iron, riskier than iron sucrose

Intranasal influenza vaccine for children (Fluenz°): it is better to keep to the injectable vaccine

Peripheral neuropathy: sometimes medication-related

Bisphenol A: to be avoided

Self-screening for prostate cancer: ban in France is justified