Archives : 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

Pregnancy and lower urinary tract infection: opt for cefuroxime

Requiring just a single dose, fosfomycin trometamol is easier to take than cefuroxime or the combination of amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, but less is known about its short-term effects on the unborn child exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is wiser to choose cefuroxime as first-line treatment.

1 April 2019

High-strength insulins: think and act in units of insulin to prevent errors

FEATURED REVIEW At home as in hospital (and other healthcare facilities), errors associated with insulin use are numerous, frequent and can have serious consequences. How can dosing errors due to the coexistence of different strengths of insulin on the market be prevented?
Full review (2 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 March 2019

In the March issue of Prescrire International: Minor ischaemic stroke and antiplatelet drugs

FREE DOWNLOADIn this month's free sample text, the results of a trial confirming that after a minor stroke or transient ischaemic attack there is very little advantage from adding clopidogrel to aspirin, which remains the first-choice antithrombotic.

Full text available for free download.

1 March 2019

Melatonin: significant adverse effects

Melatonin is not a treatment of choice for sleep disorders: its efficacy beyond that of a placebo is uncertain, and it carries a risk of neuropsychological, cutaneous, gastrointestinal and other adverse effects.

1 March 2019

Publicly-funded research: too opaque!

France's top clinical research institutions, like many public organisations or private foundations financing clinical trials around the world, are not up to the mark when it comes to clinical research transparency.

1 March 2019

The annual Prescrire Awards are given out in Paris: 5 winning drugs, but no "Pilule d'Or"

The independent French medical journal Prescrire announced its Drug Awards for 2018, at its yearly awards ceremony in Paris on 31 January. There was no "Pilule d'Or" (Golden Pill) award, but two drugs made the "Honours List" and three others were recognised as "Noteworthy".

1 February 2019

Prescrire's Information Awards for 2018: just 7 drug companies (out of 86 contacted) are honoured for the quality of information provided

Prescrire's annual Information Awards recognise drug companies which respond to Prescrire's requests with complete and relevant information. The picture in 2018 was no better than in prior years: only a few drug companies embraced transparency, in the best interest of patients.

1 February 2019

Updated list of "Drugs to avoid, in the name of better patient care" is published by independent French journal Prescrire

In conjunction with the annual Prescrire Drug, Packaging and Information Awards, the independent French medical journal Prescrire has published its annual review identifying drugs that are clearly more harmful than beneficial. The full report will be published in English in the April issue of Prescrire International.

1 February 2019

Simple febrile seizures in a child. First-choice treatments

FEATURED REVIEW Febrile seizures occur in around 3% of children. What are the essential points for healthcare professionals to keep in mind? And what are the warning signs to look out for?
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 February 2019

In the February issue of Prescrire International: Midostaurin (Rydapt°) for some types of acute myeloid leukaemia

FREE DOWNLOAD In this month's sample review, Prescrire's editors give this multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor a rating of "Offers an advantage", but warn that the drug's adverse effects are underestimated.

Full text available for free download.

1 February 2019

MRI during pregnancy: the pros and cons should be carefully assessed

Before deciding to give a pregnant woman an MRI scan, with or without contrast agents, it is important to consider how the MRI results would change the clinical course.

1 February 2019

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2019

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

Pregnancy and lower urinary tract infection: opt for cefuroxime

High-strength insulins: think and act in units of insulin to prevent errors

In the March issue of Prescrire International: Minor ischaemic stroke and antiplatelet drugs

Melatonin: significant adverse effects

Publicly-funded research: too opaque!

The annual Prescrire Awards are given out in Paris: 5 winning drugs, but no "Pilule d'Or"

Prescrire's Information Awards for 2018: just 7 drug companies (out of 86 contacted) are honoured for the quality of information provided

Updated list of "Drugs to avoid, in the name of better patient care" is published by independent French journal Prescrire

Simple febrile seizures in a child. First-choice treatments

In the February issue of Prescrire International: Midostaurin (Rydapt°) for some types of acute myeloid leukaemia

MRI during pregnancy: the pros and cons should be carefully assessed