Prescrire Int [JOURNAL]

A cohort study conducted in 2014, using data from France's mandatory health insurance system, has shown a 10-fold increased risk of hospitalisation for enteropathy with olmesartan in comparison with other ARBs (sartans)... A cohort study conducted in 2014, using data from France's mandatory health insurance system, has shown a 10-fold increased risk of hospitalisation for enteropathy with olmesartan in comparison with other ARBs (sartans) or ACE inhibitors. The increased incidence of enteropathy with olmesartan compared with other ARBs or ACE inhibitors is well documented. The French drug regulatory agency, ANSM, informed healthcare professionals of these risks in 2014. Yet prescription rates for olmesartan remain high, and new cases of olmesartan-associated enteropathy continue to be reported. Patients would be better served if health professionals stopped using olmesartan and regulators withdrew this drug from the market.

Get PDF PubMed ↗

Ondansetron and pregnancy: possible congenital heart defects.

Prescrire Int · 2016 May · PMID 27280199

Two cohort studies, including more than 2500 pregnant women exposed to ondansetron in early pregnancy, have raised concerns over an increased risk of congenital heart defects. Two cohort studies, including more than 2500 pregnant women exposed to ondansetron in early pregnancy, have raised concerns over an increased risk of congenital heart defects.

Get PDF PubMed ↗

Drug-induced hair loss.

Prescrire Int · 2016 May · PMID 27280198

Hair loss can have major psychological consequences. It can be due to a wide variety of causes, including hormonal disorders, dietary factors, infections, inflammation, trauma, emotional factors, and cancer. Drugs can al... Hair loss can have major psychological consequences. It can be due to a wide variety of causes, including hormonal disorders, dietary factors, infections, inflammation, trauma, emotional factors, and cancer. Drugs can also induce hair loss, by interacting with the hair growth cycle. Drug-induced hair loss may be immediate or delayed, sudden or gradual, and diffuse or localised. It is usually reversible after drug discontinuation. The drugs most often implicated in hair loss are anticancer agents, interferon, azole antifungals, lithium, immunosuppressants, and many other drugs belonging to a variety of pharmacological classes.

Get PDF PubMed ↗