According to Prescribe, 88 drugs are to be banned from the French pharmaceutical market in 2025. Indeed, the journal has just published its December 2024 edition in which it establishes its assessment of drugs to be banned in 2025. In total, 106 drugs appear on this blacklist, including 88 marketed in France, sometimes for decades.
These drugs often have an unfavourable benefit-risk balance, meaning that patients incur far too high risks by taking some rather than others, for example, or that the drug has undesirable side effects that are too great compared to what they are supposed to treat. On the other hand, other drugs have no more clinical effects than placebos and their use therefore seems pointless.
Thus, among these drugs with terrible side effects or with clinically unproven efficacy is phloroglucinol, better known as Spasfon and available over the counter throughout France. Phloroglucinol has many side effects such as allergic reactions, and even rare Lyell syndromes (a potentially fatal dermatological syndrome for the patient). Its effectiveness remains uncertain, particularly on intestinal disorders, or on gynecological or menstrual pain, and it would not exceed… that of a placebo. It is only marketed in France and Italy, Belgium having stopped marketing it in 2010. However, in 2023, in France, nearly 26.5 million boxes were reimbursed by health insurance.
Flu and cold medications to avoid
Beyond phloroglucinol, other drugs have an unfavorable benefit-risk balance even though they are available over the counter everywhere in France. This is also the case for certain medicinal clays such as diosmectite (Smecta) or hydrotalcite (Rennieliquo) containing natural lead pollution and therefore potentially dangerous from a neurological point of view. Thus, according to Prescribe, it is better to turn to alternatives with less risks, when the use of a medication is really necessary, such as an antacid without clay, like Gaviscon for example, composed of sodium bicarbonate and sodium alginate.
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As winter approaches, colds, flu and coughs return, so it is very tempting to take cough syrups, especially to have a peaceful night. However, many medicines for mild coughs expose you to disproportionate risks. This is the case, for example, with oxomemazine (Toplexil), exhibiting many side effects. But ambroxol, or Muxol, is not left out since it exposes to risks of anaphylactic reactions, or to skin reactions which can in rare cases be fatal, although it is not more effective than a placebo. Thus, in case of cough, if one really wants to take a medication, it is preferable, according to Prescribe, to turn to dextromethorphan, contained for example in the syrup Tussidane, although it also has its limitations.
In addition to the cough, sore throats also resurface. It is then tempting to take a throat lozenge to calm the pain and the loss of voice. However, alpha-amylase, more commonly known as Maxilase, is an enzyme that does not demonstrate clinical efficacy while it exposes to skin or allergic disorders, which can in certain cases become serious. Prescribe indicates that the best remedies for the discomforts of winter remain honey, sugared water, sweets to suck or even paracetamol in case of severe pain.
Read alsoThese 4 cough syrups will be withdrawn from the market
Joint pain and depression medications to be avoided
93% of French people say they have already suffered from joint pain, according to an IFOP survey entitled "The French and rheumatism" led in 2016. So, it makes sense that many of them would try to medicate themselves to relieve their pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonplace in the joint pain community. They all have more or less the same common side effects, with a few exceptions.
For example, aceclofenac (Cartrex) and diclofenac (Voltarene) expose patients to an increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes, such as myocardial infarction or heart failure. Also with a view to relieving pain, "muscle relaxant" drugs, such as Miorel, seem to be a good option. However, some of them do not demonstrate efficacy beyond the placebo effect, while others such as methocarbamol (Lumirelax) are exposed to digestive and skin disorders. Thus, Prescribe recommends turning to paracetamol, ibuprofen or even naproxen in case of severe pain.
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Finally, in the blacklist of Prescribe Some medications for depression include those that expose patients to greater side effects than others. Examples include agomelatine, or Valdoxan, with the efficacy of a placebo and exposing patients to hepatitis, pancreatitis, suicide, aggressive attacks or even skin damage. Citalopram (Seropram) and escitalopram (Seroplex), so-called SSRI antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants) carry increased risks and more serious consequences in overdoses compared to other drugs in the same family.
Finally, let us remember that it is important to avoid self-medication and to consult a health professional if necessary.
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