In France, self-medication is widespread—8 out of 10 people purchase drugs without a prescription. However, not all over-the-counter (OTC) options are safe. The trusted magazine 60 Million Consumers investigated this, analyzing 61 cold, cough, and flu remedies commonly grabbed at the first sign of chills, runny nose, or sore throat.
The verdict? Overall, 28 OTC treatments should be banished from your medicine cabinet due to excessive contraindications and adverse effects. Here's the full list recommended for avoidance by 60 Million Consumers:
> Influenza: Actifed influenza states, Doli influenza state, Fervex Pheniramine adult without sugar.
> Sore throat: Colludol, Drill honey rosat, Drill tetracaine, Hexaspray, Humex sore throat, Maxilase sore throat, Strepsils Lidocaine, Strefen without orange sugar.
> Constipation: Contalax, Dragees Fuca, Pursennide.
> Diarrhea: Ercefuryl.
> Cough: Bronchokod fatty cough without sugar adults, Exomuc fatty cough orange, Fluimucil orange, Humex dry cough oxomemazine caramel, Mucomucyst fatty cough orange, Toplexil without sugar, Neo-Codion.
Conversely, the study highlights safer, effective alternatives in the "preferred" category with minimal side effects:
> Intestinal disorders: Imodiumcaps, Gaviscon mint or Maalox without sugar.
> Cough: Vicks Vaporub, Clarix dry cough, Humex adult dry cough dextromethorphan apricot.
For balance, experts like Gilles Bonnefond, president of the Union of Dispensary Pharmacists' Unions (USPO), caution against overreaction. "Drugs can be dangerous if misused, but they're effective by design as active substances," he notes. Precautions are key: pharmacists assess cardiac issues, age, pregnancy, and more before recommending. Next time, consult your pharmacist before buying.
