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Self-medication is an important pillar of healthcare

… and as with treatment prescribed by a doctor, it should be undertaken on the basis of the available evidence. Evidence for Self-Medication (EfSM) presents compact reviews of relevant studies on OTC medicines and active substances in order to enable pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to provide the best possible – and evidence-based – advice on self-medication. 

 

All EfSM articles have been peer-reviewed. They are available in German and English, and some of them in other languages ​​as well.

Real-world data confirm effectiveness of a thyme-ivy extract combination


From October 2019 to April 2020, the phytopharmaceutical Bronchipret® Drops, which contains a thyme-ivy extract combination (BNO 1200), was investigated in a large, practice-oriented, pharmacy-based observational study. The results show that the OTC drug quickly and sustainably alleviates bronchitis symptoms as well as severity of coughing, and reduces coughing bouts during the day and cough-assoc ...

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Author: Claudia B. BittnerEFSM: 2023;3:230009DOI: 10.52778/efsm.23.0009Date: 29.01.2023

Efficacy and safety of fexofenadine in children with allergic rhinitis


Allergic rhinitis is the most common undiagnosed chronic condition in children and negatively affects sleep, school performance and leisure activities. Intranasal corticosteroids and oral antihistamines are first-line treatments. The first generation of oral antihistamines is often used in children due to the cheaper costs, despite the high frequency of adverse events, like overall cognitive and p ...

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Author: Margarita Murrieta-Aguttes, MD, Mohamed Amessou, PhD, MBA and Michele Lheritier-Barrand, MDEFSM: 2023;3:230003DOI: 10.52778/efsm.23.0003Date: 29.01.2023

Onychomycosis guideline update


Self-medication with antimycotic nail polishes plays an important role in Germany due to the numerous OTC drugs available and an increasing number of onychomycosis cases. Older patients in particular are more frequently affected due to slower nail growth and the possible existence of predisposing diseases [1]. But the prevalence is also increasing in children [2]. This makes guideline-based recomm ...

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Author: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Mayser and Mareike NiehausEFSM: 2023;3:230001DOI: 10.52778/efsm.23.0001Date: 02.01.2023

Onset of the neutralising action of antacids based on calcium and magnesium carbonate using an …

An in-vitro study


The in-vitro study evaluated the onset of the neutralising action of the antacid Rennie® as compared to a placebo. Among other things, the results showed a rise in the pH of the artificial stomach liquid from pH 1 to over 3 within 40 seconds after application of the antacid. The maximum pH of 5.24 was maintained over a period of approximately 10 minutes. At the same time, lower activity levels of ...

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Author: Sandra Bartylla and Malte GrieswelleEFSM: 2022;2:220160DOI: 10.52778/efsm.22.0160Date: 14.12.2022

Metamizole: A comprehensive approach to its benefit-risk profile


Metamizole is a drug with many years of use in some countries, and a large number of patients are exposed to its pharmacologic effects. The safety assessments have been done decades ago; therefore, it is worth summarizing the current state of knowledge of its benefit-risk profile.

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Author: Waltraud Stromer, PhD and Mariana Palladini, PhDEFSM: 2022;2:220153DOI: 10.52778/efsm.22.0153Date: 02.11.2022

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Featured article

Fexofenadine in children with allergic rhinitis


Oral antihistamines are first-line treatments for children with allergic rhinitis. A recent review evaluated second-generation antihistamines in comparison to first-generation antihistamines.

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