Medications aim to improve health, but some pose more risks than benefits. Renowned independent journal Prescrire, with 12 years of unbiased analysis since 2010, highlights 95 such drugs in its 2022 blacklist—many marketed in France despite unfavorable benefit-risk profiles. Their rigorous, conflict-free evaluations guide safer choices. This is informational; consult your doctor before making changes.
Contents
- The most well-known high-risk drugs
- How high-risk drugs are classified
- Cancerology - Transplants - Hematology
- Cardiology
- Dermatology - Allergology
- Diabetology - Nutrition
- Pain - Rheumatology
- Gastroenterology
- Gynecology - Endocrinology
- Infectiology
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
- Pneumology - ENT
- Psychiatry - Addiction
- Smoking cessation
- Urology
- Entries/exits compared to 2021
Well-Known High-Risk Drugs
Common over-the-counter options often stocked at home, yet Prescrire flags them for limited efficacy and serious side effects.
- Dolirhume
- Actived range
- Humex Cold
- Maxilase
- Thiovalone
- Toplexil
- Biocalyptol
- Voltarene
- Smecta
- All drugs ending in Coxid
Prescrire advises avoidance. Proven natural remedies offer safer, cost-effective alternatives for colds, coughs, and sore throats.
How High-Risk Drugs Are Classified
Prescrire targets 95 drugs (89 in France) with poor benefit-risk balances, despite marketing authorization. Classifications include:
- Drugs with significant risks outweighing benefits
- Outdated options surpassed by safer alternatives
- Newer drugs inferior to established ones
- Unproven efficacy (placebo-like) with side effects
Listed below by specialty.
Cancerology - Transplants - Hematology
- Defibrotide (Defitelio)
- Mifamurtide (Mepact)
- Panobinostat (Farydak)
- Trabectedin (Yondelis)
- Vandetanib (Caprelsa)
- Vinflunine (Javlor)
Cardiology
- Aliskiren (Rasilez)
- Bezafibrate (Befizal)
- Ciprofibrate (Lipanor or other)
- Dronedarone (Multaq)
- Fenofibrate (Lipanthyl or other)
- Ivabradine (Procoralan or other)
- Nicorandil (Ikorel or other)
- Olmesartan (Alteis, Olmetec, Coolmetec)
- Ranolazine (Ranexa)
- Trimetazidine (Vastarel or other)
- Vernakalant (Brinavess)
Dermatology - Allergology
- Finasteride 1mg (Propecia or other)
- Mequitazine (Primalan)
- Pimecrolimus (Elidel)
- Promethazine Injection (Phenergan)
- Tacrolimus dermal (Protopic or other)
Diabetology - Nutrition
- Alogliptin (Vipidia)
- Bupropion + Naltrexone (Mysimba)
- Linagliptin (Trajenta)
- Orlistat (Xenical)
- Pioglitazone (Actos)
- Saxagliptin (Onglyza)
- Sitagliptin (Januvia, Xelevia, Janumet, Velmetia)
- Vildagliptin (Galvus)
Pain - Rheumatology
- Aceclofenac (Cartrex)
- Capsaicin Patches (Qutenza)
- Celecoxib (Celebrex)
- Colchicine + opium powder + tiemonium (Colchimax)
- Denosumab 60mg (Prolia)
- Diacerein (Art 50°)
- Diclofenac (Voltarene)
- Etoricoxib (Arcoxia)
- Glucosamine (Flexea)
- Ketoprofen gel (Ketum gel)
- Meloxicam (Mobic)
- Oral mephesensim (Decontractyl, Decontractyl balm)
- Methocarbamol (Lumirelax)
- Parecoxib (Dynastat)
- Systemic piroxicam (Feldene)
- Quinine (Hexaquine, Okimus)
- Romosozumab (Evenity)
- Tenoxicam (Tilcotil)
- Thiocolchicoside (Miorel or other)
Gastroenterology
- Obeticholic Acid (Ocaliva)
- Diosmectite (Smecta or other)
- Domperidone (Motilium or other)
- Droperidol (Droleptan or other)
- Hydrotalcite (Rennieliquo)
- Kaolin (in combination with Gastropax and Neutroses)
- Metopimazine (Vogalene, Vogalib)
- Beidellitic Montmorillonite (Bedelix, and in association with Gelox)
- Prucalopride (Resolor)
- Glyceryl trinitrate ointment 0.4% (Rectogesic)
Gynecology - Endocrinology
- Tibolone (Livial)
- Ulipristal 5 mg (Esmya - not marketed in France)
Infectiology
- Moxifloxacin (Izilox or other)
Neurology
- Alemtuzumab (Lemtrada)
- Donepezil (Aricept or other)
- Fenfluramine (Fintepla)
- Flunarizine (Sibelium)
- Galantamine (Reminyl or other)
- Ginkgo biloba (Tanakan)
- Memantine (Ebixa or other)
- Naftidrofuryl (Naftilux or other)
- Natalizumab (Tysabri)
- Oxetorone (Nocertone)
- Piracetam (Nootropyl or other)
- Rivastigmine (Exelon or other)
- Teriflunomide (Aubagio)
- Tolcapone (Tasmar)
Ophthalmology
- Idebenone (Raxone)
Pneumology - ENT
- Alpha-Amylase (Maxilase or other)
- Ambroxol (Muxol or other)
- Bromhexine (Bisolvon)
- Ephedrine (formerly Rhino Sulfuryl)
- Inhaled Mannitol (Bronchitol)
- Naphazoline (Dérinox)
Psychiatry - Addiction
- Agomelatine (Valdoxan or other)
- Citalopram (Seropram or other)
- Dapoxetine (Priligy)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta or other)
- Escitalopram (Seroplex or other)
- Esketamine inhalation solution (Spravato)
- Etifoxine (Stresam)
- Milnacipran (Milnacipran Arrow or other)
- Tianeptine (Stablon or other)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor LP or other)
Smoking Cessation
- Bupropion (Zyban)
Urology
- Pentosan polysulfate oral (Elmiron)
Entries/Exits Compared to 2021
Two new entries: Fenfluramine (Fintepla) risks status epilepticus and cardiovascular issues; Ulipristal 5mg (Esmya) linked to severe liver damage. Three exits (gliflozins, cyclosporine eye drops, cimetidine) due to lack of better options, though risks persist.
