Archives : 2020

The 2020 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to
3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

The recipients of the 2020 "Prescrire Prize" book awards were announced on 1 October 2020. The prize is awarded to works of particular interest to the general public and/or healthcare professionals.

1 October 2020

Apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban: situations with a high risk of bleeding or thrombosis

FEATURED REVIEW When using xabans, it is essential to take into account the situations that increase the risk of bleeding or thrombosis, and to monitor the patient for any change in these risks, such as new comorbidities, new drugs, or discontinued drugs.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 October 2020

In the October issue of Prescrire International: A public awareness campaign which mainly benefits companies

FREE DOWNLOAD The pharmaceutical company Abbvie, which markets adalimumab (Humira°), has jointly funded a public awareness campaign produced by the patient organisation France Psoriasis. Objective: marketing.

Full text available for free download.

1 October 2020

Hydroxychloroquine: the situation is critical

EDITORIALAccording to the methodological principles of clinical evaluation, comparative trials provide the most reliable evidence when evaluating treatments. The lowest-level evidence comes from expert opinions, case series, other observational studies and empiricism. This is still true in 2020 – and also in covid-19.

1 October 2020

Gentian violet used when breastfeeding: irritant and carcinogenic

Gentian violet has no place in the treatment of nipple thrush while breastfeeding, nor of oral thrush in the newborn baby.

1 October 2020

Pinworm infection: easy to detect and easy to treat

Anal itching at night is highly suggestive of pinworm infection, an intestinal parasitic infection that is very common in children. Several drugs, none of which have serious adverse effects, eradicate the parasites, after two doses, given two weeks apart.

1 October 2020

Proton pump inhibitors: increased risk of severe covid-19

NEWS UPDATE Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are known to increase the risk of various infections, including pneumonia and pseudomembranous colitis. What about covid-19 infection? A recent study yields some useful information.

15 September 2020

Covid-19 patients who are not hospitalised: anticoagulation is rarely justified

NEWS UPDATE The risk of thromboembolism in patients with a mild to moderate form of covid-19 is unclear and probably varies greatly between patients. Is anticoagulation justified to prevent deep vein thrombosis in patients with covid-19 who are not hospitalised?

24 September 2020

Cannabidiol (Epidyolex°) in certain severe forms of childhood epilepsy: an option to consider, but liver function must be monitored

FEATURED REVIEW Cannabidiol (Epidyolex°) has been granted marketing authorisation in the European Union for patients aged 2 years and older with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome, in combination with antiepileptic treatment including at least clobazam. How do Prescrire's editors rate this treatment in this situation?
Full text (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 September 2020

In the September issue of Prescrire International. VEGF inhibitors: arterial aneurysm and dissection

FREE DOWNLOAD Drugs that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibit angiogenesis and are mainly used to treat diseases involving vascular proliferation, in particular cancer and certain eye conditions (by intravitreal administration). They can provoke cardiovascular disorders such as hypertension, heart failure and arterial or venous thromboembolic events.

Full text available for free download.

1 September 2020

Evidence required: for covid-19 too

EDITORIALAside from the covid-19 epidemic's many major public-health and economic consequences around the world, it has also raised questions for many people about drug evaluation and the need for evidence before using a drug to treat patients.

1 September 2020

Mild asthma: adapt treatment according to patients’ needs

An inhaled beta-2 agonist as needed, possibly combined with an as-needed or continuous inhaled corticosteroid.

1 September 2020

Priapism: urgent medical attention required

Priapism, an erection lasting several hours, needs to be diagnosed quickly in order to prevent possibly irreversible erectile dysfunction. It is often caused by medications.

1 September 2020

Drug shortages: a source of errors and adverse events, which should be reported

Drug shortages did not begin with the covid-19 epidemic. Some shortages cause serious harm to patients. Healthcare professionals and patients should report any adverse events related to drug shortages to the competent authorities.

1 September 2020

Covid-19 : Follow Prescrire's independent, evidence-based analysis of the pandemic

COVID-19 Prescrire's editors are publishing an ongoing series of news updates featuring independent analysis of developments related to the covid-19 pandemic. Useful and practical information, to help healthcare professionals gain a clear and balanced view.

1 September 2020

Hydroxychloroquine in covid-19: no proven efficacy, including in less severe forms of the disease

NEWS UPDATE The detailed results of four comparative trials of hydroxychloroquine in patients with covid-19 were released in late July 2020: two trials in patients hospitalised for covid-19, and two others in patients who were not hospitalised and had milder forms of the disease.

24 July 2020

"Top Texts of 2020", from the editors of Prescrire International

FREE SPECIAL EDITION Check out this brand new sampling of texts from Prescrire International, a wholly independent monthly journal written by and for healthcare professionals. Inside, top articles from our "New Products", "Adverse Effects" and "Reviews" sections, plus our annual update of drugs to avoid. > Click here for your free copy

1 August 2020

Covid-19: remdesivir (Veklury°) authorised in the European Union, yet much remains unknown or uncertain

NEWS UPDATE The antiviral drug remdesivir was authorised in the European Union in early July 2020 for the treatment of certain adults and adolescents with severe covid-19 requiring supplemental oxygen. It was only granted conditional authorisation, because the data submitted were incomplete on many fronts. The drug company needs to resolve many uncertainties surrounding remdesivir's adverse effects and efficacy.

13 July 2020

Covid-19 and severe breathing problems: dexamethasone reduced mortality in one trial

NEWS UPDATE Some detailed preliminary results were released on 23 June 2020 from a randomised trial in patients hospitalised for covid-19 (the “Recovery” trial). Adding the corticosteroid dexamethasone (for up to 10 days) to usual care reduced 28-day mortality in patients receiving oxygen or mechanical ventilation, but appeared unnecessarily dangerous in other patients.

24 June 2020

Andexanet alfa (Ondexxya°) as an antidote to xabans: inadequate clinical evaluation

FEATURED REVIEW The evaluation of andexanet alfa for the management of severe bleeding in patients receiving apixaban or rivaroxaban is inadequate. When bleeding occurs in a patient receiving a xaban, the key action is to put in place proven emergency supportive measures.
Full review (4 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 July 2020

In the July-August issue of Prescrire International: aflibercept (Eylea°) in diabetic macular oedema without visual impairment

FREE DOWNLOAD What is the efficacy of aflibercept in patients with diabetic macular oedema without visual impairment at the time of diagnosis?

Full text available for free download.

1 July 2020

Proper evaluation, for patients' sake

EDITORIALProper drug evaluation, based on trials designed to provide sufficiently high-level evidence and conclusive results, using patient-relevant clinical outcomes, is the best way of ensuring that drugs are used judiciously, without causing unnecessary harm.

1 July 2020

Pulmonary arterial hypertension: sometimes drug-induced

Many drugs can cause pulmonary arterial hypertension, which sometimes improves when treatment is halted.

1 July 2020

Prescrire's annual drug packaging review: slow progress and dangers

The drug packaging market is improving, but there are also still many examples as of 2020 that pose a danger to patients, in particular children and pregnant women. These flaws affect prescribers, pharmacists and nurses through the complications they cause.

1 July 2020

Illustrated examples of dangerous drug packaging, from Prescrire's annual packaging review

A drug’s packaging (box, bottle, leaflet, etc.) is crucial in preventing administration errors. Three examples from Prescrire's annual drug packaging review illustrate the types of packaging flaws we identified as dangerous in 2019, flaws which have long been known to health authorities.

1 July 2020

Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection for knee osteoarthritis: efficacy and adverse effects underestimated?

Queries and Comments Prescrire concluded in 2016 that the harm-benefit balance of hyaluronic acid by intra-articular injection seemed unfavourable. Several readers have since expressed their profound disagreement, citing the effects noted in their daily practice. How can such a difference be explained? Could the clinical data available in 2020 potentially call Prescrire's conclusions into question?

1 July 2020

Increased risk of skin cancer with hydrochlorothiazide: what are the practical consequences?

Queries and Comments In 2018, Prescrire reported the findings of two case-control studies that showed an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancers in patients treated with hydrochlorothiazide, a first-choice antihypertensive drug. Does the evidence available in 2020 affect this drug's harm-benefit balance in hypertension?

1 July 2020

Lack of access to drug evaluation data: a recurrent problem, not confined to covid-19

NEWS UPDATE An article reporting the results of pharmacoepidemiological studies on the use of hydroxychloroquine in covid-19 has been retracted. The reasons given centre on the fact that access to the raw data was only granted to certain authors. This is a recurrent problem, not confined to evaluations of drugs for covid-19.

08 June 2020

Dabrafenib (Tafinlar°) and trametinib (Mekinist°) combined, as adjuvant therapy for stage III melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation

FEATURED REVIEW This combination has now been authorised in the European Union for the adjuvant treatment of patients with melanoma and lymph node involvement but no other metastases, when the tumour cells express a BRAF V600 mutation. Does this combination extend survival in this situation? Does it reduce the incidence of recurrence? What more is known about its adverse effects?
Full review (3 pages) available for download by subscribers.

1 June 2020

In the June issue of Prescrire International: Antispasmodics during pregnancy, in brief

FREE DOWNLOAD Various drugs termed antispasmodics are offered to treat pain of gastrointestinal, urinary or gynaecological origin, often despite unconvincing evaluation. What are the risks to the mother and the unborn child when taken during pregnancy?

Full article available for free download.

1 June 2020

Spotlight: Archives

Spotlight

2020

The 2020 "Prescrire Prize" is awarded in Paris to
3 noteworthy books about health and healthcare

Apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban: situations with a high risk of bleeding or thrombosis

In the October issue of Prescrire International: A public awareness campaign which mainly benefits companies

Hydroxychloroquine: the situation is critical

Gentian violet used when breastfeeding: irritant and carcinogenic

Pinworm infection: easy to detect and easy to treat

Proton pump inhibitors: increased risk of severe covid-19

Covid-19 patients who are not hospitalised: anticoagulation is rarely justified

Cannabidiol (Epidyolex°) in certain severe forms of childhood epilepsy: an option to consider, but liver function must be monitored

In the September issue of Prescrire International. VEGF inhibitors: arterial aneurysm and dissection

Evidence required: for covid-19 too

Mild asthma: adapt treatment according to patients’ needs

Priapism: urgent medical attention required

Drug shortages: a source of errors and adverse events, which should be reported

Covid-19 : Follow Prescrire's independent, evidence-based analysis of the pandemic

Hydroxychloroquine in covid-19: no proven efficacy, including in less severe forms of the disease

"Top Texts of 2020", from the editors of Prescrire International

Covid-19: remdesivir (Veklury°) authorised in the European Union, yet much remains unknown or uncertain

Covid-19 and severe breathing problems: dexamethasone reduced mortality in one trial

Andexanet alfa (Ondexxya°) as an antidote to xabans: inadequate clinical evaluation

In the July-August issue of Prescrire International: aflibercept (Eylea°) in diabetic macular oedema without visual impairment

Proper evaluation, for patients' sake

Pulmonary arterial hypertension: sometimes drug-induced

Prescrire's annual drug packaging review: slow progress and dangers

Illustrated examples of dangerous drug packaging, from Prescrire's annual packaging review

Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection for knee osteoarthritis: efficacy and adverse effects underestimated?

Increased risk of skin cancer with hydrochlorothiazide: what are the practical consequences?

Lack of access to drug evaluation data: a recurrent problem, not confined to covid-19

Dabrafenib (Tafinlar°) and trametinib (Mekinist°) combined, as adjuvant therapy for stage III melanoma with a BRAF V600 mutation

In the June issue of Prescrire International: Antispasmodics during pregnancy, in brief