Archives : 2016

Diethylstilbestrol (DES): also harms the third generation

FEATURED REVIEW Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a synthetic nonsteroidal oestrogen and endocrine disruptor that was used in the 1950s-1970s to prevent spontaneous abortion, despite its lack of proven efficacy. In utero exposure to DES can have harmful effects. What are the consequences of taking DES during pregnancy for the third generation, i.e. the children of DES children?
Full review (5 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 December 2016

In the December issue of Prescrire International: Cobimetinib (Cotellic°) and metastatic melanoma

FREE DOWNLOAD Clinical evaluation of cobimetinib in patients with metastatic or inoperable melanoma positive for the BRAF V600 mutation confirms that frontline treatment with a MEK kinase inhibitor plus a BRAF inhibitor prolongs survival by a few months, at a cost of many potentially serious adverse effects.

Full text available for free download.

1 December 2016

Metastasised or non-operable melanomas: progress

In patients suffering from a metastasised or inoperable melanoma with or without a genetic mutation, new antitumor drugs are making it possible to prolong life for several months, at the price however of sometimes severe adverse effects.

1 December 2016

Operable lung cancer: chemotherapy, an option to be discussed with informed patients

In patients with non-small-cell lung cancer at an advanced but operable stage, anticancer platinum salts chemotherapy slightly prolongs life, but at the cost of many severe adverse effects.

1 December 2016

From the editors of Prescrire International: Top texts of 2015-2016

FREE SPECIAL EDITIONCheck out this sampling of texts, selected by Prescrire's editors to introduce you to this wholly independent monthly journal, written by and for healthcare professionals

1 December 2016

Human papillomavirus vaccines and Guillain-Barré syndrome: managing uncertainties

FEATURED REVIEW Several reports of autoimmune disorders following HPV vaccination have been published, although the cause-effect relationship is uncertain. Do the detailed results of a large French study, published in late 2015, alter the harm-benefit balance of HPV vaccines?
Full review (6 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 November 2016

In the November issue of Prescrire International: More on domperidone and sudden cardiac death. French opinion leaders and regulators in the hot seat

FREE DOWNLOAD In a letter to Prescrire's editors, the lead author of a study on the number of deaths attributable to domperidone answers critiques that appeared in the French news media after the publication of the study.

Full text available for free download.

1 November 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): smoking cessation and appropriate medication

Drug treatments for COPD are effective chiefly against the symptoms and should be adjusted according to the progression of the disease.

1 November 2016

Anticoagulant: the "antidote" to dabigatran (Pradaxa°) is insufficiently evaluated

The effects of idarucizumab (Praxbind°) have not been sufficiently evaluated: its effect against the risk of bleeding is not proven. Its authorisation as an antidote should not encourage the wider use of dabigatran.

1 November 2016

The 2016 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to
3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

The recipients of the 2016 "Prescrire Prize" book awards were announced on 6 October 2016. The prize is awarded to works of particular interest to the general public and/or healthcare professionals.

06 October 2016

Caring for vulnerable migrants. Acting to ensure access to quality care for all. A discussion-debate (in French) organised by Prescrire in Paris

VIDEO Migrants, refugees: women, children and men, often in a situation of extreme vulnerability. How can they be provided with the healthcare they need, on both an emergency and a longer-term basis? A discussion-debate in French on this important topic was organised by Prescrire in Paris on 6 October.

11 October 2016

Metoclopramide, domperidone: sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia

FEATURED REVIEWThe neuroleptics metoclopramide and domperidone have been used since the 1960s and the 1980s respectively for nausea and vomiting. Their limited efficacy and the severity of their adverse effects have slowly come to light over time. Results published in 2015 confirmed and quantified the risks of serious arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death with both drugs.
Full review (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 October 2016

In the October issue of Prescrire International: Prucalopride (Resolor°) and chronic constipation in men

FREE DOWNLOAD For men presenting with constipation, a troublesome but usually benign disorder, prucalopride carries a disproportionate risk of cardiovascular disorders, depression and suicidal ideation. As in women, it is better to optimise the use of standard laxatives, and to avoid prucalopride altogether.

Full text available for free download.

1 October 2016

Falls in the elderly: proven benefits of exercise

Following on from others, a new trial has shown the benefits of exercise in preventing falls with trauma in elderly women.

1 October 2016

MedDRA and pharmacovigilance: a complex and little-evaluated tool

The standardised "Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities" (MedDRA) is used for coding adverse effects in clinical study reports and pharmacovigilance databases. Its complexity and its poorly evaluated performance make it susceptible to manipulation, errors of interpretation and bias.

1 October 2016

Evolocumab (Repatha°). A "mab" for hypercholesterolaemia: no evidence of benefits

FEATURED REVIEW In adults with hypercholesterolaemia, evolocumab has only been evaluated in terms of surrogate (i.e. non-clinical) endpoints. In addition, its long-term adverse effects are poorly documented, even though evolocumab is intended for long-term administration.
Full review (5 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 September 2016

In the September issue of Prescrire International: adverse effects of mizolastine, dextromethorphan, desloratadine and loratadine

FREE DOWNLOAD This sample page from the September edition contains three brief reviews analysing the adverse effects of several frequently prescribed antihistamines and antitussive medicines.

Full text available for free download.

1 September 2016

Citalopram and escitalopram: opt for other SSRI antidepressants

As of early 2016, studies point to the same overall conclusion: that citalopram and its derivative escitalopram expose patients to a higher risk of cardiac disorders than other SSRI antidepressants.

1 September 2016

Council of Europe: put patients' health before that of drug companies

The Council of Europe defends the primacy of public health over industrial interests.

1 September 2016

Tendinopathy: possibly drug related

Knowing which drugs and factors can cause tendinopathy makes it possible to identify them rapidly and avoid them.

1 September 2016

"Adaptive pathways": EMA's dangerous plan

The "adaptive pathways" proposed by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) aim to shorten the process for bringing drugs onto the market. This could lead to a situation in which marketing authorisations granted on the basis of very limited evaluation become the norm.

1 September 2016

Healthcare professionals: building relationships for quality care

The special summer issue of the independent French medical journal La revue Prescrire offers subscribers a "ramble" in search of better care: mapping out one's practice, moving forward safely, enlarging one's field of vision.

1 August 2016

Healthcare that is adapted to each patient

With knowledge brought fully up to date via rigorous and independent continuing medical education, healthcare professionals can then take each patient's situation into account, to share decision-making with them.

1 August 2016

For better patient care: take a critical approach, and keep an open mind

For quality patient care, healthcare professionals must maintain a critical approach towards the information that they come across. This healthy skepticism also makes it easier to strike compromises with patients, in their best interest.

1 August 2016

Progestogens and prevention of preterm birth in women at risk

FEATURED REVIEW How effective are the natural hormone progesterone and the progesterone derivative hydroxyprogesterone in preventing preterm birth in women at high risk? And what are the adverse effects on the mother and the unborn child?
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 July 2016

In the July issue of Prescrire International - Adalimumab (Humira°) and plaque psoriasis in children: no better than other immunosuppressants

FREE DOWNLOAD In a trial in 114 children, the efficacy of adalimumab was not notably different from that of methotrexate, and its adverse effects profile did not appear to be more favourable.

Full text available for free download.

1 July 2016

Tuberculosis and AIDS: major progress

AIDS and tuberculosis still rank among the leading causes of death worldwide. But large-scale access to treatments has enabled a marked reduction in TB- and AIDS-related deaths in the last 15 years.

1 July 2016

Electronic prescribing: risk of potentially harmful errors

Electronic prescribing is supposed to improve the various stages of medication use. But it can also result in potentially harmful errors. Healthcare professionals have a crucial monitoring role to play.

1 July 2016

Student associations drive pharmaceutical companies off campus

Pharmaceutical companies seek to influence healthcare professionals beginning when they are students. Students in several countries are taking action to highlight and avoid these influences.

1 July 2016

Empagliflozin (Jardiance°) in type 2 diabetes: no rush to use this drug

FEATURED REVIEW There is no evidence that empagliflozin has a favourable harm-benefit balance when used for prevention of the cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. More trial data are needed on the harm-benefit balance of empagliflozin compared to other cardiovascular therapies.
Full review (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 June 2016

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2016

Diethylstilbestrol (DES): also harms the third generation

In the December issue of Prescrire International: Cobimetinib (Cotellic°) and metastatic melanoma

Metastasised or non-operable melanomas: progress

Operable lung cancer: chemotherapy, an option to be discussed with informed patients

From the editors of Prescrire International: Top texts of 2015-2016

Human papillomavirus vaccines and Guillain-Barré syndrome: managing uncertainties

In the November issue of Prescrire International: More on domperidone and sudden cardiac death. French opinion leaders and regulators in the hot seat

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): smoking cessation and appropriate medication

Anticoagulant: the "antidote" to dabigatran (Pradaxa°) is insufficiently evaluated

The 2016 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to
3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

Caring for vulnerable migrants. Acting to ensure access to quality care for all. A discussion-debate (in French) organised by Prescrire in Paris

Metoclopramide, domperidone: sudden cardiac death, ventricular arrhythmia

In the October issue of Prescrire International: Prucalopride (Resolor°) and chronic constipation in men

Falls in the elderly: proven benefits of exercise

MedDRA and pharmacovigilance: a complex and little-evaluated tool

Evolocumab (Repatha°). A "mab" for hypercholesterolaemia: no evidence of benefits

In the September issue of Prescrire International: adverse effects of mizolastine, dextromethorphan, desloratadine and loratadine

Citalopram and escitalopram: opt for other SSRI antidepressants

Council of Europe: put patients' health before that of drug companies

Tendinopathy: possibly drug related

"Adaptive pathways": EMA's dangerous plan

Healthcare professionals: building relationships for quality care

Healthcare that is adapted to each patient

For better patient care: take a critical approach, and keep an open mind

Progestogens and prevention of preterm birth in women at risk

In the July issue of Prescrire International - Adalimumab (Humira°) and plaque psoriasis in children: no better than other immunosuppressants

Tuberculosis and AIDS: major progress

Electronic prescribing: risk of potentially harmful errors

Student associations drive pharmaceutical companies off campus

Empagliflozin (Jardiance°) in type 2 diabetes: no rush to use this drug