Published
Update
Video length: 26 min
Correspondent. Anti-colds: the impossible ban?
Correspondent. Anti-colds: the impossible ban?
(SPECIAL SUBJECT / FRANCE 2)
Pseudoephedrine is used as a decongestant in many medications available without a prescription. Although the adverse effects of this molecule are rare, they can nevertheless be very serious…
Faced with the lack of doctors when winter arrives, more and more French people are turning to pharmacy shelves. Runny nose, fever, fatigue: dozens of remedies are available without a prescription for these daily ailments.
In 2023, 4 million boxes of Actifed Rhume, Dolirhume, Nurofem Rhume, Humex Rhume or other Rhinadvil have been sold, for a total of 25 million euros.
The ANSM warned: “In the event of a cold, avoid oral vasoconstrictor medications”
But this reflex can be dangerous. In October 2023, the National Medicines Safety Agency alerted consumers, asking them to no longer use these anti-cold medications based on pseudoephedrine with a shocking message: “You do not risk a stroke with a blocked nose”.
This is not the first time that the alert has been given. For years, doctors, consumer associations, scientific journals and pharmacists have been warning about these pills, but nothing has changed. Why are these drugs, considered more dangerous than useful, still on sale? Who is responsible for putting them on the market? Which safe remedy to turn to?
A report by Laura Orosemane, Justine Weyl, Claire Combaluzier, Renaud Perret and Sandrine Philibert broadcast in “Envoyéspecial” on March 7, 2024.
> Replays of France Télévisions news magazines are available on the Franceinfo website and its mobile application (iOS & Android), “Magazines” section.
