Each year, Prescrire lists hundreds of names of molecules that the review advises not to use.
It is sometimes necessary to choose between effectiveness and undesirable effects. But when the effects are more negative than beneficial, it is better to be informed, it is about your health.
This is also the objective of the report published each year by the journal Prescribe which lists the drugs that it is better to avoid taking.
For 2023, the updated blacklist reveals 107 references.
“Drugs more dangerous than useful”
“At the end of 2022, among the medicinal products authorized in France or in the European Union which were analyzed by Prescrire between 2010 and 2022, 107 medicinal products are more dangerous than useful in all the indications appearing in their MA, of which 88 are marketed in France. “, specifies the authors of the list.
In the benefit-risk balance, here is the (non-exhaustive) list of molecules that it is advisable to avoid.
Drugs added to last year’s list
The review added three molecules to its list “because the undesirable effects to which they expose are disproportionate to the gain in effectiveness they bring”. This is groundnut seed powder containing peanut protein (Palforzia), from roxadustat (Evrenzo) and some tincture of opium (Dropizal).
But also the nintedanib (Ofev and Vargatef) had been removed from the list of medicines to be ruled out in 2020, in order to reassess it, but it is again listed among the medicines to be ruled out.
Otherwise the drugs classified by category.
For pain and rheumatology
They are better known as Dolirhume, Actifed or other Humex Cold, or Voltarène…
Molecules for pain care and rheumatology to avoid are:aceclofenac and the diclofenacthe coxibs: the celecoxib, etoricoxib and the parecoxib.
There is also the ketoprofen gel, the meloxicamthe piroxicam and the tenoxicam. And the diacereinthe glucosaminethe mephenesin, le methocarbamol, the thiocolchicosidethe denosumab, the romosozumabthe capsaicin.
It is also worth noting the association colchicine with opium powder and tiemonium and the quinine.
Regarding pneumology and ENT problems
Molecules to treat pneumological and ENT problems to avoid are:ambroxol and the bromhexineI’oxomemazinethe pentoxyverinethe pholcodineI’alpha-amylasethe tixocortol in mouth spray.
As well as oral or nasal decongestants such asephedrinethe naphazolineI’oxymetazolinethe phenylephrinethe pseudoephedrinethe tuaminoheptane and the xylometazolinebut also the inhaled mannitol and the roflumilast, as well as the nintedanib, added this year.
Regarding dermatology and allergology
The molecules in dermatological or allergological treatments to avoid are: finasteride, the mequitazine, the pimecrolimus dermal, the dermal tacrolimus and the injectable promethazine and the peanut protein added this year.
With regard to oncology, transplants, hematology
Molecules in cancer care, transplants and hematology to avoid are: defibrotide, the mifamurtide, the nintedanib, the panobinostat, the roxadustat, the trabectedin, the vandetanib and the vinflunine.
Regarding cardiology
Molecules in cardiology care to avoid are:aliskirenthe bezafibratethe ciprofibrate and the fenofibrate.
There is also the dronedaroneIivabradinethe nicorandilI’olmesartanthe ranolazinethe trimetazidinethe vernakalant.
On the diabetology and nutrition side
For diabetology and nutrition, the molecules to avoid are:alogliptinthe linagliptin, the saxagliptin, the sitagliptin, the vildagliptin.
There is also the pioglitazone, orlistat and association bupropione with naltrexone.
Regarding gastroenterology
The molecules to avoid to treat gastroenterological problems are:obeticholic acidthem medicated claysthe diosmectite – like SmectaI’hydrotalcitethe beidellitic montmorillonite aka monmectite and the kaolin.
The domperidone like Motiliumthe droperidol and the metopimazine. Also noted are the prucalopride, the glyceryl trinitrate and youopium tincture added this year.
Regarding gynecology and endocrinology
Molecules to avoid to treat gynecological and endocrinological problems such as tibolone and theulipristal.
In infectiology
Only the moxifloxacin is blacklisted.
In neurology
The molecules to avoid to treat neurological problems are: donepezilthe galantaminethe rivastigminethe memantineI’alemtuzumabthe natalizumabthe fenfluraminethe flunarizine and theoxetorone.
Also note the ginkgo bilobathe naftidrofurylthe piracetam and the tolcapone.
Regarding psychiatry and other addictions
The molecules to avoid to treat psychiatric problems and other addictions are:agomelatinethe citalopram and theescitalopramthe duloxetinethe Milnacipran and the venlafaxine.
L’esketaminethe tianeptinethe dapoxetine and theetifoxine.
For smoking cessation
With regard to treatments for smoking cessation, the only reference listed is the bupropion.
Regarding urology
Only the oral pentosan polysulfate should be avoided in urological treatments.