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in collaboration with
Dr. Julien Cottet (allergist doctor)
Medical validation:
06 April 2023
In its new survey, the magazine 60 Millions de consommateurs warns against certain anti-allergy drugs available in self-service in pharmacies.
The return of sunny days also signals the return of allergies. To treat themselves, many French people have recourse to remedies of all kinds, more or less good for health. The 60 million consumer association thus alerts patients to the effects of certain anti-allergic products – available in pharmacies without a prescription – and which are not “risk-free”.
Questionable effectiveness
In this survey, experts from 60 million consumers tested 22 products sold in pharmacies without a prescription, to be used orally (tablets, drops, etc.), nasal (inhalers, etc.) or ocular (eye drops, etc.).
Result ? Some drugs have “weak evidence of effectiveness“. This is particularly the case “homeopathic medicines, as well as food supplements“, notes the magazine.
And for good reason : “if drugs must demonstrate a good benefit/risk ratio in order to obtain a marketing authorization (AMM), the same is not true for food supplements which only require a simple declaration to the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF). A size difference!“.
To catch up, the brands would even play on the words and the visuals (“Allargem”, “Allerus”, visual of flower pollen, etc.), warns the association again.
For Julien Cottet, allergist, “It is a pity that allergy patients are turning away from science in favor of so-called miracle and “natural” remedies, only developed by companies seeking financial profit from suffering patients. It is useless to look for products stamped “natural and organic”, they risk on the contrary to develop new sensitizations and aggravate their worries.“
Allergy patients: beware of essential oils
It is the same for products based on essential oils, not always effective, but also not recommended for pregnant women (they are suspected of having an endocrine disrupting effect) and for people at risk of allergies.
“Science is clear on this subject: essential oils on the one hand have never shown the slightest proof of effectiveness against respiratory allergies, but in addition, they are suspected of being harmful (see ANSES report) . The same is true for food supplements, etc.“says the allergist.
Potential risks not always mentioned
Another key finding of the study: food supplements present risks that are not always specified.
“This is the case for products containing propolis, royal jelly or honey: they are not recommended for people allergic to pollen. Despite everything, the information on their packaging also remains more superficial with sometimes an absence of instructions, clear indication of age or warning about a high alcohol content in the product.“, warns the association.
Finally, beclometasone-based nasal sprays – the first-line treatment for allergic rhinitis – should be used with caution: it can cause irritation, nosebleeds and, exceptionally, serious disorders, in the event of a high dose or long duration. prolonged.
Fact, “this type of product should be reserved in the event of severe symptoms“, assures 60 million consumers.
What to do in case of pollen allergy?
Our expert recommends:
- to put in place “hygienic rules” (ventilate the rooms before sunrise and after sunset, avoid drying clothes outside, etc.);
- to use nasal corticosteroid sprays and eye drops, plus an oral antihistamine, because “these 3 treatments have proven their effectiveness and tolerance, and they are reimbursed, unlike essential oils and other nonsense“;
- if this is insufficient or if the quality of life is too impacted, “consult an allergy specialist to discuss a desensitizationthe only curative treatment for respiratory allergy currently available recommended by WHO, Gina and reimbursed by Social Security and mutual insurance“.