Archives : 2019

Erenumab (Aimovig°) for the prevention of migraine attacks: decrease in the frequency of attacks in some patients, but uncertainty over cardiovascular effects

FEATURED REVIEW Erenumab (Aimovig°) is a monoclonal antibody that has been authorised in the European Union for the prevention of migraine attacks in patients who experience attacks on more than 4 days a month. Prescrire's editorial staff have weighed the available evidence to bring you an unbiased assessment of the drug's harm-benefit balance.
Full review (5 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 September 2019

In the September edition of Prescrire International: sartan medicines contaminated by impurities which are probable carcinogens

FREE DOWNLOAD The exposure of patients all around the world and over a period of several years to impurities which are known to be carcinogenic, and which were present in commonly used medicines, shows that the systems intended to guarantee pharmaceutical quality need to be improved.

Full text available for free download.

1 September 2019

Carpal tunnel syndrome: sometimes drug-related

Carpal tunnel syndrome is sometimes caused by certain drugs, and disappears when the medication is stopped.

1 September 2019

New drugs: investing in more informative clinical trials

More informative clinical trials are more expensive, but that is the price of better care.

1 September 2019

Fluoroquinolones: use should be restricted due to severe adverse effects

Given the many and sometimes severe adverse effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, they should only be used for limited purposes.

1 September 2019

"Top Texts of 2019", new from the editors of Prescrire International

NEW: FREE SPECIAL EDITION Check out this brand new sampling of texts selected by our editors to introduce you to Prescrire International, a wholly independent monthly journal, written by and for healthcare professionals

28 August 2019

Psychotic episode: which oral neuroleptic to choose? A choice tailored to each patient, based on the adverse effect profiles of the options

FEATURED REVIEW Neuroleptic drugs have been widely used since the 1950s to treat psychotic episodes. When an oral neuroleptic appears justified for treating a psychotic episode in an adult, which drug should be chosen?
Full review (7 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 July 2019

In the July-August issue of Prescrire International: emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil (Truvada° and other brands) for prevention of HIV infection in adolescents

FREE DOWNLOAD Based on extrapolation of the data obtained in adults, the emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil combination (Truvada° or other brands) appears worth offering to adolescents whose sex practices place them at particularly high risk of contracting HIV infection.

Full text available for free download.

1 July 2019

Fentanyl (Actiq° and other brands) and other opioids: risk of increased pain

Paradoxically, fentanyl, like other opioids, can exacerbate the pain it is intended to relieve.

1 July 2019

Prescrire's packaging review for 2018: ways to reduce dangers

A drug's packaging (box, bottle, delivery device, leaflet, etc.) is especially important in preventing patient errors in taking the drug. Hence the usefulness of Prescrire's methodical analysis.

1 July 2019

A clear example of marketing's influence on prescribers

Lung specialists have been influenced by marketing to prescribe new drugs that do not bring any benefits for patients with COPD.

1 July 2019

Methylphenidate (Ritalin° and other brands) during pregnancy: teratogenic and fetotoxic, with concerns about long-term effects

FEATURED REVIEW Methylphenidate is an amphetamine-like psychostimulant used in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Recent studies have revealed important data about the consequences of in utero exposure to methylphenidate for the unborn child, in the short and long term.
Full review (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 June 2019

In the June issue of Prescrire International - Treatment of scabies: 5% permethrin cream or oral ivermectin?

FREE DOWNLOAD In patients with scabies, topical application of 5% permethrin cream and oral ivermectin have a similar harm-benefit balance. How do these two treatment options stack up?

Full text available for free download.

1 June 2019

Independence and transparency: the words Prescrire lives by

The independent French medical journal Prescrire is 100% financed by its subscribers, guaranteeing freedom from the influence of the special interests – be they industrial or institutional – that are omnipresent in the healthcare arena.

1 June 2019

Atrial fibrillation: apixaban (Eliquis°) as an alternative to warfarin (Coumadin° and other brands) in some situations

When atrial fibrillation warrants the use of an anticoagulant, the anti-vitamin K warfarin (Coumadin° and other brands) is still the best long-term evaluated oral anticoagulant. The anti-Xa apixaban (Eliquis°) is an alternative in some situations.

1 June 2019

Ginkgo biloba: to be avoided due to severe adverse effects

In practice, it is better to avoid this plant, which has no proven efficacy and exposes patients to serious adverse effects, including convulsions.

1 June 2019

Useful tips for informing patients about risks

The vast majority of patients would like more explanations in order to better understand their state of health and to participate in therapeutic choices that affect them. How can healthcare professionals deliver this?

1 June 2019

Drug-induced retinal disorders

FEATURED REVIEW Retinal damage can cause different types of visual disturbances, of varying severity. Many drugs can provoke retinal disorders. What are the underlying mechanisms? Which drugs are responsible?
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 May 2019

In the May issue of Prescrire International: Dupilumab (Dupixent°) in adults with atopic dermatitis

FREE DOWNLOAD Dupilumab (Dupixent°), a monoclonal antibody, is an option for very troublesome eczema after failure of ciclosporin. Full text available for free download.

1 May 2019

Vaccine hesitancy: understand it better, to provide better support

Rather than considering people reluctant to vaccinate as irresponsible, it is better to try to restore confidence by improving public knowledge, identifying the barriers and seeking ways to overcome them.

1 May 2019

Drugs for Alzheimer's disease: reduction in the number of prescriptions is too slow

A study conducted by the independent French medical journal Prescrire shows a reduction of only around 26% in the number of patients in France exposed to at least one Alzheimer's disease drug between 2012 and 2017. In approximately 3 out of 4 newly exposed patients, treatment lasted for more than 6 months, despite the proven harms.

1 May 2019

Methylphenidate (Ritalin°) as a means of controlling classroom behaviour

Too many children are overdiagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) simply because they are the youngest in the class and so tend to be more easily distracted and disruptive.

1 May 2019

"Opioids: Conflicts & Controversies" a conference to be held in Washington, D.C. on 12-14 June 2019

Organised by the non-profit group PharmedOut, the conference will include discussions on the role of pharmaceutical marketing in creating and perpetuating the opioid epidemic.

1 May 2019

Innovative new research on "high dilutions" could change in the way we look at pharmacology

NEWS FLASH While some remain mired in a sterile debate over whether or not homeopathy is "fake medicine", highly rigorous researchers have announced great strides in the area of "high dilutions", opening up a whole new era in critical thinking. The results, reported in the April edition of La revue Prescrire, could call into question the very foundations underlying all pharmacological principles.

1 April 2019

• Decline in vigilance: water, water, everywhere...

Water, water everywhere! And not a drop of critical judgement. There's been a lot of water under the bridge since certain French researchers dove in at the deep end over just what water can and can't do. And now we have "highly rigorous researchers" and their findings on the properties of aqua naturalis. A reminder to always test the waters before you get your feet wet.

1 April 2019

Drugs to avoid in 2019

FEATURED REVIEW To make it easier to choose quality care, and to prevent disproportionate harms to patients, Prescrire has published its annual update of drugs to avoid. Using a reliable, rigorous and independent methodology, Prescrire's editors identified 93 drugs currently authorised in France or the European Union that are more harmful than beneficial in all the approved indications.
Full review (10 pages) available for free download.

1 April 2019

In the April issue of Prescrire International - Drugs in 2018: a brief overview

FREE DOWNLOAD In 2018, 99 new products or new indications were reviewed and rated in our French edition. Of the 35 that were deemed to advance patient care, 13 constituted a notable advance and 22 were rated "Possibly helpful", while 50 drugs were judged to be "nothing new".

Full text available for free download.

1 April 2019

Prescrire's ratings of new products and indications over the past 10 years

Each spring, Prescrire International publishes a recap of the drugs reviewed in our French edition during the previous year. It includes a table summing up the ratings Prescrire's editors gave to the new drugs and indications reviewed during each of the past ten years.

1 April 2019

Therapeutic advances in 2018 compared with the previous 10 years

Our recap of the drugs reviewed in our French edition La Revue Prescrire during the previous year includes a graphic summing up the ratings Prescrire's editors gave to new drugs and indications, compared with the previous ten years.

1 April 2019

Multiple sclerosis: wasted opportunities

The drugs on the market have been so poorly evaluated that healthcare professionals are not able to make the best use of the available treatments, to the detriment of patients.

1 April 2019

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2019

Erenumab (Aimovig°) for the prevention of migraine attacks: decrease in the frequency of attacks in some patients, but uncertainty over cardiovascular effects

In the September edition of Prescrire International: sartan medicines contaminated by impurities which are probable carcinogens

Carpal tunnel syndrome: sometimes drug-related

New drugs: investing in more informative clinical trials

Fluoroquinolones: use should be restricted due to severe adverse effects

"Top Texts of 2019", new from the editors of Prescrire International

Psychotic episode: which oral neuroleptic to choose? A choice tailored to each patient, based on the adverse effect profiles of the options

In the July-August issue of Prescrire International: emtricitabine + tenofovir disoproxil (Truvada° and other brands) for prevention of HIV infection in adolescents

Fentanyl (Actiq° and other brands) and other opioids: risk of increased pain

Prescrire's packaging review for 2018: ways to reduce dangers

A clear example of marketing's influence on prescribers

Methylphenidate (Ritalin° and other brands) during pregnancy: teratogenic and fetotoxic, with concerns about long-term effects

In the June issue of Prescrire International - Treatment of scabies: 5% permethrin cream or oral ivermectin?

Independence and transparency: the words Prescrire lives by

Atrial fibrillation: apixaban (Eliquis°) as an alternative to warfarin (Coumadin° and other brands) in some situations

Ginkgo biloba: to be avoided due to severe adverse effects

Useful tips for informing patients about risks

Drug-induced retinal disorders

In the May issue of Prescrire International: Dupilumab (Dupixent°) in adults with atopic dermatitis

Vaccine hesitancy: understand it better, to provide better support

Drugs for Alzheimer's disease: reduction in the number of prescriptions is too slow

Methylphenidate (Ritalin°) as a means of controlling classroom behaviour

"Opioids: Conflicts & Controversies" a conference to be held in Washington, D.C. on 12-14 June 2019

Innovative new research on "high dilutions" could change in the way we look at pharmacology

• Decline in vigilance: water, water, everywhere...

Drugs to avoid in 2019

In the April issue of Prescrire International - Drugs in 2018: a brief overview

Prescrire's ratings of new products and indications over the past 10 years

Therapeutic advances in 2018 compared with the previous 10 years

Multiple sclerosis: wasted opportunities