Prescgere magazine publishes its ninth black list of products to avoid

Due to the “disproportionate” health risks that cause the rush of patients, a hundred drugs “more dangerous than useful” are on the list of products to avoid, according to Pesettre magazine, unveiled Thursday.

And this year, two drugs have been added that expose “disproportionate” side effects to their low efficacy or to the mildness of the disorders treated. This is the case of “finasteride 1 mg” (Propecia and its generics), a drug for moderate hair loss in men.

Three more drugs with less dangerous options

The ANSM Medicines Agency has already warned about the risks of psychiatric (anxiety, depression) and sexual disorders (including ejaculation disorders and decreased libido) that should lead to the suspension of this anti-baldness treatment. Also pinned: piracetam (Nootropyl and generics), a “vasodilator” licensed in various indications including dizziness, and as an adjunct treatment for chronic minor (cognitive or sensorineural) disorders related to aging.

There are three other drugs, which have some effectiveness, but with disproportionate side effects or for which there are other less dangerous options. It is esketamine (Spravato) nasal spray “of uncertain efficacy” against depression resistant to antidepressants; pimecrolimus (Elidel not marketed in France) against atopic eczema, but with an increased risk of skin cancer and lymphoma. The third is romosozumab (Evenity, not marketed in France) for severe osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

“Not necessarily future” Ombudsman “”

Among the drugs to be excluded there are also a dozen drugs of the gliflozin family, against diabetes. Sore throat, cough, cold … other products not recommended in previous years are still high on the list. The 2021 list includes 112 drugs, 93 of which are sold in France, explains Prescendere.

The drugs referred to in this list are “causes of death, hospitalization, or serious or very troublesome harmful effects, largely preventable,” the journal states. However, they are “not necessarily future” mediators “, at the center of scandals and trials (…). Especially if all health players react in time”, he stresses. This report is available on the journal’s website (https://www.prescellare.org/ecarter).