Stiftung Warentest goes tough on the market with over-the-counter medicines: around 500 out of 2,000 tested preparations are classified by pharmaceutical experts as "unsuitable".
- Most people associate going to the pharmacy with an improvement in symptoms - be it the headache, the cold or back pain *.
- But there are always voices that claim that many over-the-counter medications have little or no effect.
- The German consumer organization Stiftung Warentest also comes to a frightening result. It examines and compares services and goods from different providers on behalf of the state and with tax funds.
Drug experts from the Stiftung Warentest took a close look at popular and over-the-counter medications - with a surprising result.
A quarter of the over-the-counter medications tested get the worst rating
More than 100,000 medications are approved in Germany, around half of which are only available on prescription from a doctor. The other half are OTC medicines that can be bought over the counter in pharmacies. OTC is derived from the English term "over-the-counter drug", which means "over-the-counter drug". "A quarter of the 2,000 over-the-counter medications in the Stiftung Warentest database received the worst rating:" not very suitable ". Well-known names such as Aspirin Complex, Thomapyrin or Gaviscon Advance also fall into this category, " says the Stiftung Warentest website. A team of independent experts led by pharmacist Gerd Glaeske comes to this sobering conclusion, it is said.
The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) decides whether a drug is approved in Germany. To do this, pharmaceutical companies must demonstrate the benefits of their newly developed product through studies. However, according to Stiftung Warentest, these effectiveness studies by the manufacturers are not always sufficient to adequately assess the effect of drugs: "The studies are often too short," says Professor Glaeske, who is researching drug supply at the University of Bremen: " Side effects * that are common can only be recognized after long ingestion ". That is why Glaeske and his team first screen all published tests for a drug during drug checks by the Stiftung Warentest - including those that were not carried out by the manufacturer, but which, for example, come from normal patient care. The quality of the studies is also included in the assessment.
Also read : Vitamin D preparations at Ökotest - only five out of 20 remedies can convince.
Remedies for colds and indigestion: Stiftung Warentest with sobering results
Over-the-counter medicines performed worst at Stiftung Warentest if the therapeutic efficacy could not be adequately proven or if it was low compared to the side effects.
A selection of unsuitable over-the-counter medications - and suitable alternatives:
preparation | Reason | Alternatives |
Dolo-Dobendan lozenges (for sore throat) | Not a sensible combination. Antiseptics such as cetylpyridinium chloride are only incomplete or not effective at all against viruses. Bacteria in the deeper layers of the mucous membrane are not reached. The local anesthetic and therefore analgesic benzocaine can easily cause allergies. | Lozenges with lidocaine or ambroxol also have a local anesthetic and therefore relieve pain. Stiftung Warentest Emser Pastillen rates even better. They moisturize the mucous membranes and can relieve swallowing problems. Basically, it helps to suck a lot, preferably sugar-free candy. |
Grippostad C capsules (for colds) | Not a sensible combination of, among other things, a pain reliever and a tiring antihistamine, which is distributed throughout the body throughout the blood and is also said to swell the nasal mucosa. | Paracetamol alone is sufficient for pain and fever. For colds, the short-term use of decongestant nasal sprays or drops is more tolerable. |
Aspirin Complex Granules (for colds) | Not a sensible combination of a pain reliever and a stimulant that is distributed throughout the body through the blood and is also said to swell the nasal mucosa. | Acetylsalicylic acid alone is sufficient for pain and fever. For colds, the short-term use of decongestant nasal sprays or drops is more tolerable. |
WICK DayMed cold capsules (for colds) | Not a sensible combination of a pain reliever, a cough reliever and a stimulant that is distributed throughout the body via the blood and is also said to swell the nasal mucosa. | The individual cold symptoms such as pain, cough *, runny nose should be treated separately. |
Abbey discharge capsules SN (in case of constipation) | Castor oil acts more drastically than suitable agents and can trigger side effects more often. | Suitable compatible laxatives include, for example, lactulose, macrogol or, for short-term use, sennes, bisacodyl or sodium picosulfate. |
Tannacomp tablets (for diarrhea) | The therapeutic effectiveness has not been sufficiently demonstrated. Both ingredients can easily trigger allergies. | As a basic therapy, electrolyte solution is suitable to replace fluids and substances that are lost in diarrhea. With painful intestinal cramps, loperamide may be possible for a short time. |
Thomapyrin Classic (for pain) | The combination of ASA and paracetamol does not offer any additional therapeutic benefit, but it carries the risk of different undesirable effects between the two painkillers. Caffeine can promote abuse. | A suitable pain reliever alone is sufficient for pain, for example acetylsalicylic acid *, ibuprofen * or paracetamol. |
Sources : www.test.de; www.g-ba.de
Read more : Cold: Medicines in the test - only one drug really helps.
jg
Well prepared for the cold season
To the photo gallery
* merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network .