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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.

Are all stimulant laxatives the same?  A comparative perspective on bisacodyl, sodium …


Stimulant laxatives, such as bisacodyl, sodium picosulfate (SPS), and senna, are recommended to treat constipation, based on the recent AGA/ACG guideline [1], with different levels of recommendation and evidence. They all stimulate intestinal motility, as well as water and electrolyte secretion, and accelerate intestinal transit time [2, 3]. Herbal laxatives cannot be generalized to be gentler com ...

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Author: Maura Corsetti, Anna Lacerda, Ketu Patel and Alèxia AranEFSM: 2024;4:240040DOI: 10.52778/efsm.24.0040Date: 15.09.2024

The importance of real-world evidence (RWE) using the example of a diclofenac pain relief gel and a…


Real-world evidence (RWE) studies are gaining increasing importance in medical research because they investigate drug therapy use under everyday conditions. Two recent RWE studies in the field of self-medication exemplify the added value that this methodology offers for the evaluation of medicinal products.

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Author: Dr Markus ZieglmeierEFSM: 2024;4:240035DOI: 10.52778/efsm.24.0035Date: 30.07.2024

New scientific findings on the mucokinetic effect of ambroxol


The use of ambroxol is recommended by the German Society for Pneumology and Respiratory Medicine [1] to reduce symptom intensity and accelerate the recovery from acute and subacute cough. As mucoactive, it stands out by its mucokinetic effects, increasing cilia beating in the airways to remove the mucus. A new study [2] has now shed light on further details of the signalling pathway responsible fo ...

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Author: Magdalena Brodowska, Heidemarie Graeter, Paula Fontanilla and Lionel NoahEFSM: 2024;4:240037DOI: 10.52778/efsm.24.0037Date: 30.07.2024

Rhodiola and green tea, combined with magnesium and B-vitamins, may improve the brain’s processing …


Stress can have a negative impact on cognitive functions. This secondary analysis from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on moderately stressed healthy adults, showed the positive acute effects of a combination of magnesium, B vitamins (B6, B9, B12), rhodiola and green tea extracts enriched in L-theanine on brain EEG theta activity during attentional task performance conducted u ...

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Author: Thamiris Tavares, Milana Dan and Lionel NoahEFSM: 2024;4:240025DOI: 10.52778/efsm.24.0025Date: 25.04.2024

Headache treatment with the fixed dose combination ibuprofen plus caffeine (400/100 mg)

Results from a pharmacy-based patient survey


Headache affects many people and can – in most cases – be successfully treated with over-the-counter analgesics. What are the patients’ characteristics? How do they experience the effects of the treatment with ibuprofen plus caffeine (400/100 mg; IbuCaff)? How does the treatment response to IbuCaff compare with other treatments? A pharmacy-based patient survey run in German community pharmaci ...

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Author: Thomas Weiser, PhDEFSM: 2024;4:240019DOI: 10.52778/efsm.24.0019Date: 23.03.2024

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Featured article

New scientific findings on the mucokinetic effect of ambroxol


Ambroxol increases cilia beating in the airways to remove the mucus. A new study has shed light on further details of the signalling pathway responsible for the mucokinetic action.

To the article