List of drugs with no convincing evidence of their effectiveness

Drug hit list - here are drugs belonging to the pharmacological group “fuflomycins” .

Source: Encyclopatia (Author - Nikita Eduardovich,
neurologist-epileptologist and ultrasound diagnostician)

Disclaimer

1. It should be understood that the phrase “And we (I) use this medicine” practically obscene and completely unsubstantiated. Where and how has your favorite drug proven itself, with the exception of suspicious domestic ones and a number of  German publications of our compatriots in Germany are unknown. What you see/want to see is not necessarily what actually is, and certainly not a method of evidence-based medicine.
2. No one is calling for shooting a doctor for prescribing drugs from this page, since ALL the “medicines” described here are harmless and can be used only to calm patients (as a method of psychotherapy in cases like “Doctor, prescribe at least something!” ), although, Why don't you use retaliation therapy techniques then? Cheaper, more useful, more honest and works better as psychotherapy, although it is more labor-intensive.
3. However, speculation in bullshit for one’s own benefit, or holy faith in these dummies (only on the basis "many years of application experience") are much more common, but you can be shot for it. Colleagues. Patients just need to be alert.
   1. Even more often than holy simplicity and thirst for profit, one encounters uncertainty in one’s own actions and the purpose of various junk “Just in case, what if something happens?” .
   2. Colleague, if you are a professional, a Doctor, then you must be confident in your actions. Take your testicles into your fist and honestly assign what is rational and be responsible for it!
4. Save your money and don't buy just anything. Understand: if you divide pharmacies into two types - pharmacies for  suckers gullible citizens and those in which only drugs with proven effectiveness will be sold, then secondly there will be no buyers at all.
5. anything , including this list: always everything . Unshakable faith in your knowledge/skills is bad, but frivolous trust in this text is no less bad - if you are not looking for confirmation or refutation, then today you believe in evidence-based medicine, and tomorrow you will be converted to the needs of homeopaths. Maintain the romantic spirit of critical thinking.

Official information:

FAQ

For those who are especially stubborn:

1. Do you like to eat/give patients any drug from the list? “But I took this, and I felt better, which means the drug is definitely not a placebo!” - continue, there is no point in trying to convince you otherwise.
2. Do you think that there is effectiveness, based on long experience of using it on yourself/grandmother/mom/dad/dog/patients or based on the opinion of senior colleagues/professor/textbook from the 90s/instructions? Continue, there is no point in trying to convince you otherwise.
3. You don't want to use Western information because don't know English “In the West, everything is just for profit, so our highly spiritual drugs are not registered there, otherwise they will cure everyone there!”. Perhaps they really are all fascists there in the worst sense, but without our treatment in Europe and the Americas they live longer, live better and get sick less. What injustice!
4. Yes, due to lack of evidence of effectiveness directly It does not follow that the substance is ineffective, but all these “medicines” have been on the market for many years, during which no one bothered to take and test them. Moreover, the leaders of the Russian pharmacy market listed below are usually not produced by Russian companies and do not have normal research precisely because they will be bought/prescribed in this country anyway.
   1. If you have studied the levels of evidence, then you are aware that the absence of RCTs and meta-analyses automatically prohibits a drug from having a level above C, which is generally interpreted by evidence-based medicine as ineffective and is not included in the recommendations.
   2. Perhaps someday positive evidence will appear, but let researchers think about potential effectiveness, not ordinary people and practitioners: patients need a proven effect here and now, not something that might be possible someday.
   3. No one castigates unfortunate pharmaceutical companies just like that: the criteria for inclusion in the list are defined and explained, and all items on the list are analyzed according to these criteria. In the era of evidence-based medicine, a doctor should (if he is a doctor and not a wandering doctor), if not use RSP, then at least take into account the algorithm for including the drug in the fuflomycin group.
5. It may seem that the list was compiled only due to the absence of these drugs in Western pharmacies - this is an erroneous judgment; Another thing is true: everything that is sold there undergoes fairly strict control and is subjected to many studies, so it is quite reasonable to take this into account. Moreover, in foreign countries, billions of dollars in fines are being imposed simply for advertising the unconfirmed effects of a drug.
6. Yes, any of these drugs may make you feel better. No, this does not mean that it is effective: the placebo effect is a powerful thing! But if you do not use any of these drugs, then nothing bad will happen.

Both this and the rest of the articles in the project are aimed solely at showing information in people’s heads that is different from that which has become rotten since Soviet times. If the given data gives rise to at least some doubt in you, then the author will be simply happy; if you do not agree with the information and are ready to defend your favorite bullshit to the last, then I will be even more happy to troll your ignorance further.

For people who really cannot speak English or who find it difficult to comprehend English-language publications, there is a WHO list of essential drugs in Russian [2] , which does not include a single name from this page. Unfortunately, the Russian version is two years behind the original. There is also an excellent Russian reference book of the Formulary Committee [3] .

Example

Before delving into useless information about useless drugs, let's look at a substance with proven effectiveness, let it be Carbamazepine. An old (created long before the advent of evidence-based medicine and RCTs) neurological and psychiatric drug, the indications for which include the treatment of epilepsy, neuropathic pain and bipolar disorder.

1. We open Cochrane, we see 48 Cochrane Reviews and a sea of ​​cool RCTs and meta-analyses like these: [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12];
2. We open PubMed and find 15,000+ studies, including 583 RCTs and 96 meta-analyses: [13]
3. The WHO list recommends it for both adults and children [14];
4. The FDA knows it and recommends it: [15];
5. RXlist shows three trade names and several articles: [16];
6. Let's look at the guides of the International League Against Epilepsy and see this drug in each of them: [17] , similarly, it will be found in general in any existing recommendations for the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain;
7. FC says level of evidence A: [18];
8. Finally, he is also listed in the VED: [19].

And all this despite the fact that the active substance has a lot of side effects, contraindications and dangerous interactions.
The drug has a sea of ​​generics, the cheapest in Russia costs 30 rubles per pack and works no worse than expensive ones, so cries about profit from pharmaceutical companies are inappropriate here. Why is there not so much information about the following excellently sold drugs in our country? Because there is nothing to study there: they are both harmless and ineffective.

A

• Agri is a homeopathic anti-grippin. Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Adaptol (Mebicar/Mebix/Adaptol/Tetramethyltetraazabicyclooctandione/Tetramethyltetraazabicyclooctandione): (under)tranquilizer, prescribed for anxiety, poor sleep, quitting smoking. Emptiness on all fronts: Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-); No one knows such an active substance. However, the trade name has been successfully researched, with as many as 60 descriptive publications on Pubmed—the first of a series of unique cases in which the chemical is not studied at all, but the labeling on the pill box is studied.
• Ademetionine (Heptral/Heptor/Ademetionine/SAM (SAM-e)/Heptral/Heptor): antioxidant and hepatoprotector, prescribed for hepatitis, cirrhosis, encephalopathy and depression. Some meta-analyses suggest a potential positive effect of ademetionine on the liver ( [20] ), but there is no exact evidence of this, but there are refutations [21] . Listed by the FDA as a dietary supplement; Pubmed - more than a hundred RCTs, but with conflicting results; Cochrane Reviews 3 - one review on the use of antidepressants for smoking cessation (SAM does not work), a second review on the use of dietary supplements to prevent postnatal depression (no dietary supplements work), a third is available only as a protocol (no results). It may someday become a medicine, but now it cannot be considered as such and it is not found in manuals; WHO and FC (-); RXlist lists the substance as a dietary supplement: "Ademetionine appears to be helpful for liver disease and osteoarthritis pain."
• Azapentacene - see Quinax.
• Acridone (acridoneacetic acid/acridone): supposedly an interferon inducer and immunomodulator, the drugs Neovir and Cycloferon were created on its basis. Neither the substance itself nor its derivatives have sufficient quality studies on pharmacodynamics, mechanism of action, safety and effectiveness. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Actovegin (Solcoseryl/Actovegin/Solcoseryl): angioprotector and antioxidant, prescribed for everything - heart attack, stroke, traumatic brain injury, venous insufficiency, burns, radiation therapy, angiopathy. Another extract product  suffering livestock proteins (deproteinized hemoderivative of the blood of healthy dairy calves) without a mechanism of action and evidence, created specifically for the CIS; FDA - prohibited for use  [22]; There are 125 publications on PubMed of varying degrees of uselessness and several non-indicative RCTs, the latest of which  [23] only talks about possible positive effect, moreover, based not on the data obtained in the work, but on previous ancient publications. Similar data are provided by another RCT with ten (!) experimental subjects.  [24]. There is a real danger of getting a mild side effect like mad cow disease against the background of the placebo effect, which is not even denied by its manufacturer Nycomed. Cochrane Reviews 2 (negative); RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Alpisarin (Tetrahydroxyglucopyranosilxanten): herbal antiviral against all herpes viruses, for some reason completely unknown to the scientific world - Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Alflutop - see Chondroitin.
• Alfarona - see Interferons.
• Amizon (Enisamium iodide): antiviral against ARVI, there is no research data at all, this is a personal find of Ukrainian charlatans. [25] It’s both anti-inflammatory and does something to interferon, and even contains an iodine atom in the molecule. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Amixin (Lavomax/Tiloron/Tilaksin/Amixin/Tilorone): an inducer of interferon formation, according to the manufacturer, it fights herpes and influenza. It may induce something, but in the normal part of the world it is prohibited due to proven serious side effects such as embryotoxicity [26] , [27] (in old studies this was denied: [28] , [29] ) and provoking mucopolysaccharidosis [30] . Has an 81-year-old RCT on the treatment of breast cancer (unsuccessful) [31] . German reference book of chemistry. substances says that clinical trials were stopped due to side effects  [32] . Therefore, Cochrane Reviews, FDA, RXlist, WHO, FC and guides do not know about it, in Russia it is advertised on every corner, Pubmed - 4 small RCTs (and 193 descriptive works, mainly on mice), not a single meta-analysis. A good analysis of the data on amixin is here: [33] .
• Aminalon - see GABA.
• Analgin (Metamizole/Metamizole/Dipyrone): has proven effectiveness, but it also has proven unsafety - in about 1 in 1500-3000 [34] cases of use it leads to agranulocytosis, which gives a 7% chance of dying (and in the presence of medical care, without it, you can safely multiply by 10). Based on this, it was banned for widespread use in developed countries back in the 70-80s [35] , [36] , somewhere it is sold by prescription under strict indications, but in our country it is distributed to everyone around (in fact, in Europe it is used quite widely, almost no one has seen agranulocytosis, but there is still a suspicion, which makes the use irrational). It is unlikely that he will ever get out of the ban, since he has many much safer alternatives (ibuprofen, paracetamol, indomethacin, etc.). There is plenty of research: Cochrane Reviews 2; Pubmed 200; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Anaferon: affinity purified antibodies to human interferon gamma – 0.003 g with a content of no more than 10–15 ^ng /g. A pseudo-drug that mimics a pseudo-drug: interferons are useless for acute respiratory viral infections (see below), especially when all that remains of them is just a hint in the name: homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness. There is an article about it on the Medportal [37] with a sea of ​​comments from the offended manufacturer. See also Artrofoon, Impaza, Tenoten, Kolofort, Rengalin.
• Arbidol (Arpetol/Arpetolide/Arpiflu/Arpetol/ORVItol/Immusstat/Umifenovir/Arbidol/Umifenovir): an antiviral diamond of the collection for the treatment of influenza, on which more than one Olympic ruble has been sawn. Invented back in  30x70s and Notdeservedly forgotten, was remembered when it was necessary to come up with a cheap alternative to the expensive Tamiflu (which at the moment is also being vehemently criticized). Ten enemy-bourgeois flu pills cost more than 1k, so it was decided to give the people a golden pill under the brand of the pharmaceutical genius of the USSR for 100 rubles. And the fact that it doesn’t work is nothing; if everyone is convinced, the flu will still be defeated. Or it will go away on its own. In 2015, shocking news spread that this product was registered in the WHO classifier (ATC) as J05AX13 (J - antimicrobial; 05 - antiviral; AX - other antiviral drugs, next to inosine  [38]). Of course, everyone immediately began to shout that a DOMESTIC drug would now treat the whole world! Alas, inclusion in the classifier only means that WHO  knows about the drug, but he will not recommend it without clear research. Cochrane Reviews 1 (review protocol only, no conclusions); FDA 0; WHO 0 (list of essential drugs and recommendations); FC (-). PubMed shows 9 commissioned RCTs with small samples and is replete with 100+ observational writings, the funniest of which  [39] This: RCT with 119 patients, of whom 23% had complete symptom relief within the first 60 hours of treatment. And now a small subtlety: the work includes people with  ARVIin whom the disease at the time of the study lasted no more than 36 hours. Attention, question: how many colds did you have that lasted 36+60 hours, and how many longer? With a little sleight of hand, even randomized patients will get up and walk. WHO believes [40]clinical trials of the drug conducted from 1993 to 2004 did not meet the requirements of evidence-based medicine. He is still on VED. In January '17, American scientists published data that umifenovir does bind to the influenza virus. [41] HOORAY! Alas, this is still not proof of effectiveness.
  • Arpetol from Belarus contains (attention, watch your hands!) arbidol hydrochloride. Chemical facepalm.
• Artrofoon/Artrofoon: antibodies to human TNF-α at a dosage of 10 ⁻¹⁵ ng/g of the active form (under the tongue! antibodies! to the minus fifteenth power of nanograms!), even in the radar is classified as homeopathy, which cannot have evidence of effectiveness. However, the drug's instructions include bullshit therapy for serious diseases: UC, RA, osteoarthritis. See also Anaferon, Impaza, Tenoten, Kolofort, Rengalin.
• ASD fraction 2/fraction 3 (Dorogov's antiseptic stimulant): exceptional nonsense in its wildness, created by Cortexin/Cerebrolysin methods, but from frogs (seriously!). Cures all diseases without exception. The main article contains detailed information; for a person with a brain it will be like a collection of jokes. There are literally a couple of lines of information in the radar, from which you can only find out that it belongs to dietary supplements ; Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Astrox - see Mexidol.
• ATP-forte - see Trifosadenine.
• Afobazole/Fabomotizole: A false anti-anxiety drug for anxiety disorder, neurasthenia, and neurocirculatory dystonia. On aphobazole, there are suddenly 97 descriptive studies and 2 small RCTs in Pubmed; according to INN - Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). One of the unique cases when no one has heard of the active substance at all, but there are studies of the trade name.
• Aflubin: homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.

B

• Bendazole - see Dibazol.
• Berlition - see Thioctic acid
• Betulin: Russian folk dietary supplement from Russian folk birch tree, contains Orthodox birch bark extract, to which the manufacturer attributes magical properties (antiviral, antioxidant, immunostimulating, hepatoprotective, antitumor, hypocholesterolemic, choleretic, and possibly anti-HIV). Pubmed 3 (one negative, one pilot, one awkward); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Bioparox/Fusafungin: a natural, protein antibiotic for rhinitis and laryngitis with an extremely low sensitivity spectrum, but does not actually create sufficient concentrations in the sinuses and upper respiratory tract. In addition, most sore throats are viral, and even for streptococcal sore throat, prescribing a local antibiotic spray is simply the height of madness. A search in Cochrane yields 2 bearded studies from 1966 and 1980 and one meta-analysis [42] on the use of antibiotics (including this one) for acute laryngitis, which showed its ineffectiveness. PubMed 0. FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Update April 2016: the drug is withdrawn from sale [43] , [44]
• Bifren - see Phenibut.
• Boluses bullshit Huatuo (Huatuo pills/Huatuo Zaizao Wan): herbal medicine (sophora, angelica, ginseng, lovage, wolfberry, cinnamon, ophiopogon, evodia, gentian, honey) + activated charcoal (as a preventive antidote to these unknown herbs, apparently). A breakthrough set of hay, which should prevent stroke (as a replacement for a healthy lifestyle, apparently). Chinese systematic review of herbal medicine claims it may be more effective and safe than conventional medicine, while admitting that all research is of poor quality  [45]. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Bonjigar - see Milkweed.
• Broncho-munal/Broncho-vaxom - see Imudon.
• Bronchipret - see Mucolytics.

IN

• Validol (Validol, menthol in menthyl ester of isovaleric acid/levomenthol solution in menthyl isovalerate) - theorists continue to believe that sublingual menthol causes a reflex vasodilation, however, there is no evidence of this (unlike nitroglycerin, which has the same indications, but there is proven effectiveness [46] and presence in all guides). It works like this: you feel pain in your heart, put validol under your tongue to freshen your breath (instead of nitroglycerin, which is really necessary in this situation) and go into a heart attack.  morgue clinic. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Valocordin (Valocordin/Valoserdin/Corvalol/Corvalol): alas, even the old heart medicines loved by our grandmothers do not cure. True, it’s better not to tell the grandmothers themselves about this. Why are they still used? They calm you down a little: ethanol + phenobarbital (2 grams per 100 ml) + ethylbromisovalerinate - needless to say that alcohol and barbiturates are quite calming? Only for chest pain (ACS - heart attack and angina), nitrates necessary not these poultices, and phenobarbital has only one limited use - epilepsy, due to dangerous side effects and easy development of addiction (see list III . The last active the substance is unknown to anyone: PubMed 0 [47] ; Cochrane 0 [48] ; the drug itself RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). However, it is quite useful for relieving the symptoms of Gilbert's syndrome, which requires a liver enzyme inducer , which is phenobarbital just in those tiny dosages of Corvalol/Valocordin, but it’s cheap and over-the-counter.
• Venarus - see Detralex.
• Viburkol - homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Vizomitin (Vizomitin/plastoquinonyldecyltriphenylphosphonium bromide): eye drops - a keratoprotector and antioxidant for the treatment of cataracts. A revolutionary Russian medicine without an international non-proprietary name, without pharmacokinetic studies (the manufacturer himself is not shy about talking about this: [49] ), but with some “Skulachev Ions” (SkQ1) [50] as an active substance, the American patent for which the creators are so proud of . Pubmed 2 (one RCT covers safety [51] , the second is devoted to dry eye syndrome (positive) [52] , which is not surprising - any drops are symptomatic for keratoconjunctivitis sicca); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Vincamine/Vinpocetine - see Cavinton.

• Vitamins: See Multivitamins.
• Vitaprost (Uroprost/Prostatilen/Samprost/Vitaprost): a drug for the treatment and prevention of all kinds of prostatitis, the instructions honestly say “Data on the pharmacokinetics of the drug Vitaprost are not provided” ; contains cattle prostate extract, which naturally belongs to dietary supplements. PubMed 0 (27 useless non-RCT studies of self-fed opinion, like these: [53] , [54] , appear every year); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Viferon - see Interferons.
• Wobenzym: indications include hepatitis, all kinds of infections, rheumatic diseases, kidney diseases and much more, a real panacea. According to the manufacturer, it heals and gives youth through strengthening the immune system; treats everything, including autoimmune diseases, injuries and embolisms. Cochrane Reviews 0; PubMed 1 (69 non-RCT articles); in the FDA as a dietary supplement, it is not found in any guides for any disease. This is the same standard case when you have to be suspicious even of RCTs - dietary supplement developers take their work very seriously (the rest can only learn from them), and the evil guys from the FDA still don’t recommend it to anyone, as well as the WHO and FC.

G

• Galavit (Galavit/Tamerit/Aminodihydrophthalasindione sodium): an immunomodulator with more than 30 indications from ARVI and stomatitis to peritonitis and toxic shock. Another case when PubMed knows 22 works by trade name (not RCT, of course), but zero by active substance; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• GABA (Gammalon/Gammalon/Aminalon): a nootropic for recovery from stroke, injury, treatment of encephalopathy and even cerebral palsy. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in its pure form, which does not penetrate the BBB  [55], which means it cannot have a clinical effect (although the physiological effects of endogenous GABA have been confirmed for a long time). Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). To influence GABAergic receptors, there are its normal analogues with proven effectiveness: Gabapentin and Pregabalin.
  • GABA + Nicotine (Picamilonum): A similar nootropic, it was coined as a precursor to GABA, which supposedly crosses the BBB. The FDA [56] recognized it as a falsified drug, which was even excluded from the list of dietary supplements after an analysis of the tablets, 30 of which contained from 2.7 to 721.5 mg of the substance, and in the 31st there was zero [57] , after which it was withdrawn from sale November 2015. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Guaifenesin - see Mucolytics.
• Gedelix - see Mucolytics.
• Gelomyrtol - see Mucolytics.
• Helmina - herbal medicine (willow, cornflower, immortelle, tansy, wormwood, thyme, pumpkin, birch buds) with ethanol against worms, so as not to take “chemistry”. Radar [58] doesn’t know, and the others, of course, didn’t hear either. Cochrane 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Genferon - see Interferons.
• Heptral/Heptor - see Ademethionine.
• Hypoxen (Olifen/Hypoxenum/Sodium Polydihydroxyphenylenethiosulfonate/Polydihydroxyphenylenethiosulfonate sodium): an antihypoxant and antioxidant, prescribed for injuries, operations, blood loss, burns, COPD, bronchial asthma, pneumonia, etc. There is no mechanism of action, there are no studies. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Hyporamine (Erebra/dry extract of sea buckthorn leaves/hyppophae rhamnoides/Hiporhamin): antiviral herbal medicine, prescribed for the treatment of herpes and ARVI/influenza. Empty on all fronts, no research: Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Gliatilin (Gliatilin/Cereton/Cerepro/Choline alfoscerate/Choline alfoscerate (alpha-GPC/Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine)): a potentially effective (according to one RCT ) drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, which does not have reliable data on effectiveness [59] , [60] , and is currently considered simply a dietary supplement [61] ; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Glycine: a nootropic and neuroprotector for improving mental performance and rehabilitation after stroke. The simplest amino acid; also a neurotransmitter, but here’s the problem: neurotransmitters do not simply penetrate from the gastrointestinal tract (and even from the mouth) into the brain , which makes glycine just an ordinary dietary supplement. A quick search of the first thousand results on PubMed did not reveal a single RCT; RXlist leads us to a story about the dietary supplement essence of the amino acid [62] ; Cochrane highlights four dismal studies [63] ; The FDA knows about it as a solution for rinsing during urological operations [64] ; WHO and FC (-). Apart from the manufacturer's statements, nothing is known about its positive effects. More precisely, its biological effect is undeniable, but there is no clinical significance of its use.
• Glutargin (Glutargin/glutamine + arginine/Arginine glutamate): another hepatoprotector for any liver problems, from hepatitis to hepatic coma. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0 (4 descriptive works); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Glutoxim (glutamyl-cysteinyl-glycine disodium): an immunomodulator of three amino acids specifically for tuberculosis, hepatitis and psoriasis; is a synthetic analogue of glutathione without proven effectiveness: phase III clinical trials failed [65] , despite millions of dollars in investment from the Western investor Novelos. In our country, they do not waste time on trifles, which is why the drug is included in the Vital and Essential Drugs list. Pubmed 0 (40 descriptive papers); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Located in Vital and Essential Drugs. Glutathione itself is known in the literature to be used as an antidote and antioxidant additive in some solutions, for example, for washing lenses.
• Homeostress - homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Gripp-Heel - homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Grippol/Grippol+: the flu vaccine is a delicate matter, they only work in 50% of cases, so if it doesn’t work, no one will notice. Plus, you can add something beautiful to make people believe more. The beautiful role was played by polyoxidonium (see below), which made it possible to write on the jar that the vaccine not only protects against the flu, but also increases immunity™. It would be fine if they left everything like that, but for some reason the amount of actually active substances was reduced by 3 times, making the vaccine completely useless, but still marketable. Compare: Influvac contains 15 mcg of each antigen, and Grippol contains 5 mcg.
• Grippferon - see Interferons.
• Groprinosin - see Inosine.
• Guna-flu: analogue of Oscillococcinum (see). Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.

D

• Derinat (Sodium deoxyribonucleate): immunomodulator and hematopoietic stimulator for the treatment of viral, bacterial and any other infections, as well as many non-infectious conditions, such as allergies, gastric ulcers, coronary artery disease, burn disease, rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis, radiation injuries and much more. This is a kind of salt of DNA - a cunning attempt to pretend to be a vaccine: there are remnants of DNA mixed in here, which should supposedly stimulate the body to fight viruses. There are no studies for any indication: Pubmed 0 (20 completely idiotic publications about everything under the sun: adenoiditis, boils, sepsis, arrhythmia and stress; only descriptions of observations and speculative conclusions); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Detralex (Venarus/Phlebaven/Phlebodia/purified micronized flavonoid fraction/Detralex/Hesperidin + Diosmin, MPFF): venotonic and venoprotector for the treatment of venous insufficiency, hemorrhoids, etc. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of bioflavonoids are unknown, therefore the mechanism of action and rationale for any effects on There is no pathogenesis of vein diseases, but they have been actively studied for a long time. One of the largest studies on the topic, the RELIEF study [66], notes the effectiveness of venotonics in improving symptoms, which is supported by the 2014 international guidelines [67] with level of evidence A. A Cochrane review from April 2016 said there was moderate quality evidence that phlebotonics have the potential to relieve symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency, but have frequent side effects and do not improve ulcer healing compared to placebo. [68] . Pubmed 13 small RCTs with conflicting conclusions (some directly refuting [69] its effectiveness); Cochrane Reviews 3; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). To the credit of the manufacturer of Detralex, the instructions clearly indicate symptomatic inclusion in the list is that doctors distribute it to everyone , even urologists for the treatment of prostatitis , passing it off as a real treatment, not a symptomatic one. If you look at the NICE guidelines, there are no flavonoids mentioned at all as an acceptable treatment. [70]
• Dibazol - (Dibazol/Bendazole): a drug from the USSR to boost immunity (history of creation: [71] ), practically unknown in the rest of the world: Pubmed 0 (6 bearded descriptions); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC is on the negative list. To be fair, in the USSR it was primarily an antispasmodic. And the immunostimulating effect is a much later invention, obviously by marketers.
• Dibikor - see Taurine.
• Diquertin (Dihydroquercetin/Quercetin/Diquertin/Dihydroquercetin/Quercetin): antioxidant dietary supplement, there are many studies, there is no proven effectiveness for any condition; There are no recommendations for use. Pubmed 150; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Dimephosphon (Dimephosphon / Dimethyloxobutylphosphonyldimethylate / Dimethyloxobutylphosphonylmethylate): antioxidant and antihypoxant, prescribed for strokes, traumatic brain injuries, osteochondrosis, multiple sclerosis, respiratory failure, VSD, migraine, Meniere's disease, bronchial asthma. Despite the fact that the drug was invented in 1975, no one in the whole world knows about such a substance. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Don - see Chondroitin.

AND

• Idebenone (Noben/Idebenone): structurally similar to ubiquinone, was originally developed and studied for the treatment of Friedrich's ataxia and Duchenne myopathy, but the effect did not reach clinical recommendations [72] , [73] . In Russia, it is offered as a nootropic for the treatment of psychoorganic syndrome after a stroke or injury, dementia, memory/attention disorders, asthenia, depression, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, etc., there are no studies for these indications: Pubmed 0 (40 descriptions) ; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Idrinol - see Mildronate.
• Isofra - see Antibiotic sprays.
• Immunal (Immunorm/Immunal): phytotherapeutic immunomodulator for the prevention of ARVI and “strengthening” the immune system - see Echinacea. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

• Immunostimulants/modulators and antivirals: the creators forgot to tell about these drugs that it is impossible to stimulate the immune system with just one name - Kagocel, Derinat, IRS 19, Arbidol, Imudon, Ingavirin, Oxolin, Amizon, Proteflazid, Polyoxidonium, Thymalin, Cytovir, etc.

Reader, remember:

1. There is no cure for colds .
2. Colds cannot be prevented with tablets/ointments/candles/herbs/drops/honey/garlic/vodka/beer/beer with vodka and pepper.
3. The immune system is stimulated by only one thing - disease, either in the form of a vaccine or in the form of a full-fledged disease.

• Immusstat - see Arbidol.
• Impaza: pro-erection antibodies to endothelial NO synthase, affinity purified , in what dosage? Yes, yes, 10 ⁻¹⁵ , from the manufacturer of Anaferon. Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness. See also Anaferon, Artrofoon, Tenoten, Kolofort, Rengalin.
• Imudon (Broncho-Vaxom/Bacterial extract OM-85/OM-85): for three names Pubmed shows 45 small RCTs (24 of them before 2000), and a systematic review [74] which (published in 2010 by an obscure journal and sponsored by the manufacturer, DOI 10.1007/s12519-010-0001-x) says the drug reduces the risk of acute respiratory viral infections in children, but notes that these data should be interpreted with caution due to limited searches [work], an unclear review process, and a lack of information regarding the analysis. Cochrane Reviews 1 (Cochrane confirms the previous finding that although in susceptible children the incidence may be reduced by 40%  [75], however: “due to significant heterogeneity and the poor quality of the trials this positive result should be interpreted with caution.”). There are other positive meta-analyses  [76]; Yes, you can’t just throw away the positive research data, but all this “encouraging data” only suggests that the effectiveness is only potential and requires further research. Considering that these drugs have been around for decades, it is unlikely that anyone will seriously study them, since the potential has obviously been exhausted, and no one even bothered to discover the mechanism of action - how should bacterial lysates help in the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections, 95% of which are viral? This is a secret.  Manufacturer pays for custom studies, tries to push bullshit drugs (they have another one - Uro-Vaxom (see below), as well as several serious drugs), but no one will register another immunostimulant based on this weak “evidence”. The drug is not on Drugs.com or RXlist.com, nor in the NIH dietary supplement database; not in any recommendations for treatment or prevention; to the FDA; WHO and FC emptiness.
  • IRS 19 (IRS 19): another similar name (or maybe just a synonym) for a vaccine - an immunomodulator in the form of a mixture of dried microbes (spray from lysates of 19 different bacteria), which in an unknown way should stimulate the immune system for the treatment and prevention of almost all infections of the upper respiratory tract respiratory tract. Cochrane Reviews 1 (mentioned in a review of immunostimulants, [77] which seemed to show some effectiveness in susceptible children, but with the note “the quality of many of the studies was poor and the results were very diverse” and the conclusion that normal studies are needed) ; Pubmed 4 (small RCTs without adequate description, one negative [78] ); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Imunorix (Imunorix/Pidotimod/Pidotimod): an immunomodulator for the treatment of sinusitis, pharyngitis, tracheitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, etc. PubMed - a couple of custom studies with weak conclusions; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Imunofan (oligopeptide arginil-alpha-aspartyl-lysyl-valyl-tyrosil-arginine/Arginil-alfa-aspartil-lysil-valil-tyrosil-arginine): immunomodulator, hepatoprotector and antioxidant for the treatment of chlamydia, herpes, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, COPD and cancer. There is no mechanism of action, there are no relevant studies. PubMed; Cochrane Reviews, FDA, RXlist, WHO and FC are treacherously silent.
• Ingavirin (Imidazolyl ethanamide pentandioic acid, IEPA): antiviral against all acute respiratory viral infections (adeno, RSI and influenza). The mechanism of action is unknown; no one except the manufacturer knows about the active substance as an antiviral; with great effort one can find references in cancer treatment studies [79] . Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 2 (Russian works without data on randomization and blinding, in one comparison with arbidol, in the other with oseltamivir, in both ingavirin is the best); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Previously marketed as "Dicarbimine" as a leukopoiesis agent. Included in Vital and Essential Drugs.
• Ingaron: interferon gamma, the situation is similar to rhIFN-α-2b (see below) - there are studies on hepatitis, but for the indications specified in the instructions (tuberculosis, chlamydia, prostatitis) there is no, Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Indol (Indole-3-Carbinol/I-3-C) is the newest dietary supplement marketed as a remedy for human papillomavirus, fibroids, endometriosis and mastopathy. Research is being conducted on this substance as an antitumor agent in animals and cell cultures, but researchers are still skeptical about the effectiveness of its use in humans; at the moment it is not substantiated. [80] , [81] , [82] . Cochrane Reviews 2 (mentions only); Pubmed 11 (laboratory studies and small RCTs); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Inosine (Isoprinosine / Groprinosin / Riboxin / Ribonosine / Isoprinosine / Inosine pranobex / Inosiplex): the nucleoside inosine (an RNA element and a purine derivative), judging by RCTs like this [83] , does not contribute to the prevention of respiratory infections; chronic fatigue syndrome is also in flight [84] ; A 96 RCT on 24 patients concluded that it can be used as an alternative treatment for HPV [85] , but for almost 20 years there has been no evidence of this and it is still not included in the recommendations. In the ampoule form of riboxin, it is administered for heart attacks and angina pectoris, without any evidence of necessity/efficacy: the use of the ATP precursor inosine (riboxin) does not increase the pool of “ready” ATP in the myocardium, since both the delivery of the purine derivative and its penetration into the cell under conditions ischemia is seriously complicated by the very definition of ischemia. Cochrane Reviews 2 (protocols for efficacy trials in hepatitis B, no results yet); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Instenon (Instenon/Hexobendin + Etamivan + Etophylline/hexobendine + etamivan + etofylline): an angioprotector for the treatment of post-stroke problems and dementia. Pharmacokinetic studies and everything else have not been done. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (+), it says level C [86] (this is bad). Searching for active ingredients (Hexobendine, Etamivan, Etofylline) is similarly fruitless.
• Interferons/rhIFN-α-2b and rhIFN-beta-1b - recombinant human interferon alpha-2b/beta-1b: a really effective thing in injectable form (injectable only) for the treatment of viral hepatitis, multiple sclerosis and cancer. Drops/suppositories/ointments - pseudo-drugs that parasitize on the glory of the above-mentioned two only real drugs that work, do not have significant effectiveness and are listed below, read the proofs here:  [87], [88], [89]. Although there is some isolated information about their possible effectiveness in acute respiratory viral infections:  [90], [91]. Experimental fact: it takes four hours (!) of direct and continuous exposure of interferon in high doses to a cell for it to have any effect, and these drugs suggest dropping drops into the nose or inserting suppositories vaginally/rectally - as if in order to the active substance bypassed the first passage of the liver and/or acted directly at the injection site - indications of amateurs  anal sexsuppositories vary, but there is no research data on the need for such administration [92].
  • Alfarona: an excellent example of how rhIFN-α-2b can be simultaneously sold in the working form of a life-giving ampoule and in the commercial form of useless nasal drops (dosage 10,000 IU/ml) for “flu treatment.”
  • Viferon: gel/ointment/suppositories rhIFN-α-2b in a dosage of up to 3,000,000 IU - according to the description, it treats all known viral infections, except HIV ; in Pubmed 4 commissioned works from one single research group (and 31 descriptions); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Genferon: rhIFN-α-2b in suppositories up to 1,000,000 IU/piece, with taurine and anesthetic - apparently, so that the anus is not boring. Indications include local lifting of immunity in gynecology, especially in the treatment of cervical erosion and all sorts of hidden infections. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Grippferon: rhIFN-α-2b at a dosage of 10,000 IU/ml for the “treatment” of ARVI. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Kipferon: rhIFN-α-2b 500,000 IU plus some complex immunoglobulin preparation (actually, CIP). Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Laferobion: the situation is similar to the drug Alfaron - rhIFN-α-2b both in ampoules (normal) and in the form of a nasal spray (shit).
  • Oftalmoferon: rhIFN-α-2b 10,000 IU/ml - a combination of an antiviral drug and interferon topically in high doses (≠10,000 IU) can accelerate the course of herpetic keratitis [93] . In small doses (10,000 is not enough), the effectiveness of interferon when applied topically is insignificant (see above), and the drug is positioned as a miracle cure for all viral eye . Thanks to washing the eyes with the saline solution included in its composition, it may actually be somewhat effective. Read in Russian: [94] .
• Influcid - homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Ismizhen - see Imudon.

Y

• Iodantipirin (Iodantipirin/Iodophenazone): antiviral and immunomodulator for the treatment of tick-borne encephalitis, created on the basis of a radiopharmaceutical (isotope tag). There is no mechanism of action, there are no studies. Pubmed 0; Cochrane 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

TO

• Cavinton (Vinpocetine/Vincamine/Oxybral/Cavinton/Vinpocetine/vinca minor alkaloids): neuro- and angioprotector to combat dementia, stroke, atherosclerosis, encephalopathy, retinopathy, headache, etc. The mechanism of action has not been studied and there is no evidence of effectiveness. There are inefficiencies: both for dementia [95] and for stroke [96] the effectiveness has been refuted; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Pubmed is flooded with useless posts.
• Kagocel (Kagocel/Gossypol + carboxymethylcellulose): welcome to Skolkovo! The official Russian nanofuflomycin, approved by the government and personally by Golikova, periodically ends up in the VED. According to the manufacturer, this is an antiviral drug against herpes and influenza, it works as an interferon inducer; even has several flawed RCTs on children, military personnel, and the mentally ill. Pubmed 0 (12 humorous stories); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Canephron (Trinephron/Canephron): herbal medicine (centaury, lovage, rosemary) for nephritis, urolithiasis and cystitis - Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Cardionate - see Mildronate.
• Karipain and Karipazim: dietary supplements with papain, positioned as drugs for the treatment of osteochondrosis, joint problems and burns. There are no reliable studies on the indications. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Karsil - see Rastropsha.
• Carphedon - see Phenotropil.
• Quinax (Quinax/Phacolysine/Azapentacene): we managed with one indication - cataracts. There are no studies, no one knows about this treatment for cataracts. Pubmed 0 (20 descriptions of the substance, one closed RCT 84 on cataracts); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (+) – level C  [97].
• Kipferon - see Interferons.
• Klimadynon: herbal medicine (Cosimifuga racemosus) for autonomic disorders during menopause. A single comparative study without randomization and placebo control compared the drug with Clomiphene, which suggests [98] possible alternative uses of this herb; other jobs are even worse; Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 5; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Cogitum (Cogitum/Acetylaminosuccinic acid): nootropic and adaptogen for the treatment of asthenia. There is no mechanism of action, the active substance is unknown to anyone, there is zero research. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Cocarboxylase: thiamine pyrophosphate, active form of vitamin B1, its indications (acidosis; renal, hepatic, cardiac acute and chronic failure; arrhythmias, pre-infarction condition, myocardial infarction, diabetic and hepatic coma, peripheral neuritis, MS, alcoholism, intoxication, etc. .) are not found anywhere in the recommendations; Pubmed 0 (for specified indications); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Cocarnit - see Trifosadenine.
• Colofort - affinity purified antibodies to human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) - 0.006 g, affinity purified antibodies to brain-specific protein S-100 - 0.006 g, affinity purified antibodies to histamine - 0.006 g; applied to lactose in the form of a mixture of three active aqueous-alcoholic dilutions of the substance, diluted 100 ¹² , 100 ³⁰ , 100 ²⁰⁰ times, respectively. Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness. See Tenoten, Anaferon, Artrofoon, Impaza, Rengalin.
• Corvalol - see Valocordin.
• Cortexin: a nootropic and neuroprotector for the treatment of encephalopathy, encephalitis, strokes, asthenia, mental retardation, etc. Essentially it is Cerebrolysin 2.0, only now the brain of not only pigs, but also cows is used; There is also one for children! Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0 (mixed with studies of the CTXN3 - Cortexin 3 gene, there are several eye-catching descriptive studies on combining Cortexin with reflexology and stories about its meteoadaptogenic “qualities”, non-RCTs, of course); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Xymedon (Xymedon / Hydroxyethyldimethyldihydropyrimidine / Hydroxiethyldimethyldihydropyrimidine): wound healing and accelerating local blood flow (!) in tablets. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

L

• Lavomax - see Amiksin.
• Laennec: miracle “medicine” from the placenta with a claimed hepatoprotective effect and indications for herpes, fatty hepatosis and atopic dermatitis, at a tempting price of 12,000 re for 10 ampoules. There are no composition specifications, the studies are useless: Pubmed 1 (in this RCT the drug is compared with another fuflomycin and the same effect is obtained  [99]); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Laferobion - see Interferons.
• Legal - see Milkweed.
• Le cran: cranberry + ascorbic acid + probiotic bacteria orally for the treatment of gynecological and urological problems. Cranberry does not work according to Cochrane [100] , see below for probiotics. FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Treatment of HPV: against the backdrop of all the bullshit therapy, the treatment of the human papillomavirus stands out separately, which (according to microbiologists) has nothing to treat, but gynecologists think differently, prescribing a sea of ​​ineffective drugs for “erosions”, as if to avoid cervical cancer.
• Livolin/Liv-52 - see Essential phospholipids.
• Lysobact (Lysobact/Lysozyme + pyridoxine): both substances have their proven effects, pyridoxine is a vitamin, and lysozyme is an antimicrobial enzyme that is secreted by the human body. According to the stated indications for use (gingivitis, stomatitis), there was not a single confirmation of effectiveness: Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Likopid (Likopid (Licopid)/Glucoseminyl muramildipeptide): immunomodulator for the treatment of tuberculosis, septicemia, herpes, rhinitis, sinusitis, otitis, bronchitis, hepatitis, abscesses and pyoderma. There is no mechanism of action, no research either: Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA, RXlist, WHO and FC zero.
• Lymphomyosot: Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Linex: dysbacteriotic flagship, “at least 12 million live lactic acid bacteria.” You can get more and better by consuming a glass of regular kefir every day, which contains much more beneficial lactobacilli in a convenient and cheap form. Probiotics  can improve course of some diarrhea [101], [102], [103], [104], [105], but not chronic inflammatory or systemic diseases, and not fanciful "dysbacteriosis”, which does not appear at all in high-quality publications. There is no serious evidence of the need and effectiveness of their use  [106], [107]. FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). See also Dysbacteriosis - such a diagnosis does not exist either in nature or in  ICD.
  • Bifidumbacterin, Bifiform, Lactobacterin, Primadofilus, Acipol, Normobakt + any other drug with the prefix “bifi-” - just cheaper Linex.
• Lipoic acid - see Thioctic acid.
• Longidaza (Longidaza / Hyaluronidase + Azoximer bromide / Hyaluronidase + Azoximer): vaginal and rectal suppositories for the treatment of pneumonia, tuberculosis, siderosis, cystitis, prostatitis and much more. They contain a purely Russian panacea (see Polyoxidonium), they have no justification for the mechanism of action, as well as research. Pubmed 1 custom micro-RCT; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA, RXlist, WHO and FC zero.

M

• Mastodynon: a drug for the treatment of gynecological and hormonal problems, homeopaths even delve into endocrinology. Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness. Although in reality this is not exactly “true” homeopathy, but a herbal preparation with decimal dilutions (index D), so some amount of the declared active substance may actually be there. However, since the manufacturer himself has defined his product as homeopathy, no one will ever know whether there is a substance there, how much there is and how it will work, therefore such under-diluted preparations are even more dangerous than tru-homeopathy.
• Mebicar/Mebix - see Adaptol.
• Meglumine (meglumine/N-Methylglucamine) is a mysterious substance that is used in the Russian drugs Cycloferon, Reamberin, Remaxol, Thiogamma, and is known to the rest of the world as a pharmaceutical inert binder of active substances ( [108] ): for example, with antimony the antileishmanial drug Glucantim is obtained ( [109] ), and with diatrizoic acid - a contrast agent (hypaque or urografin) [110] ).
• Mexidol (Astrox / Mexiprim / Mexicor / Medomexi / Mexidant / Neurox / Mexidol / Neurox / Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate / ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate): an antioxidant-membrane protector, which is prescribed for traumatic brain injuries, encephalopathy, VSD, anxiety disorder, asthenia, ischemic heart disease and many others states. The basis is a modified vitamin B6 molecule; however, there is no justification for the mechanism of action, there are no normal studies, on Pubmed there are 20 works describing everything from toxic hepatitis to multiple sclerosis. Of course, there are 10 times more studies on the trade name “Mexidolum” (and in Cochrane they only search for “Mexidol”; they can’t decide on the spelling). No RCT; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Review of the evidence base:  [111].
• Metamizole - see Analgin.
• Metaprote (Metaprote/Ethylthiobenzimidazole hydrobromide): nootropic, antioxidant and immunomodulator for the treatment of neurasthenia, meningitis, brain injuries and strokes. There is no mechanism of action, no evidence of effectiveness, or simply no research. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Mildronate (Cardionate/Meldonium/Melfor/Idrinol/Mildronate/Meldonium): cardioprotector, angioprotector, antioxidant, prescribed for angina, heart attack, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, retinopathy, retinal vein thrombosis, cerebrovascular diseases. Has a stack of descriptions on PubMed and two Chinese RCTs; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-); but guess where it is? That's right, VED! Made in Latvia, where it was recognized five times as the most  exportable product. Everyone knows which country.
  • Not long ago it was included in the list of prohibited doping products. Especially for those who believe that the inclusion of a drug in the doping ban = proven effectiveness. No! Do you think they are conducting RCTs there? Alas, the Anti-Doping Committee bans drugs based on what they see in their description: “Meldonium (Mildronate) was added because of evidence of its use by athletes with the intention of enhancing performance.”  [112] . Translation: Meldonium was added due to evidence of its use by athletes to enhance performance . Once again: evidence of use for productivity . There is no evidence that it actually affects anything. The manufacturer himself says, wow, wow, what doping, we have nothing to do with it: “... meldonium cannot improve athletic performance, but it can stop tissue damage in the case of ischemia. That is why this therapeutic drug is not a doping agent.” [113] .
  • Another review of the “evidence” of the substance: tyts .
• Monurelle: herbal medicine (cranberries in maltodextrin sugar) + ascorbic acid - Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Mucolytics/mucokinetics (not to be confused with bronchodilators - drugs that relieve bronchospasm: β-adrenergic agonists and M-anticholinergics): in ATS recommendations [114]mucolytics with proven effectiveness are listed - erdosteine, bromhexine, acetylcysteine, carbocisteine, guaifenesin (doubtful). A large meta-analysis says the same thing  [115], herbs are not mentioned as an effective remedy.
  • Bronchipret: herbal medicine (thyme, ivy) + ethanol for laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis - no RCT, Pubmed 2 (custom studies, like this: [116] 68% reduction in cough on days 7-9 of treatment - very reminiscent of “studies "arbidol); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Hedelix (Prospan/Hedelix): herbal medicine (ivy) - according to a systematic review [117], only one RCT showed some effectiveness of ivy with thyme for ARVI; The situation is similar for bronchial asthma in children [118] . Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Gelomyrtol (Myrtol): This herbal medicine (myrtle) has been shown to be effective in two RCTs [119] , one of which even claims the drug’s superiority over antibiotics and Ambroxol [120] . Both studies are German, which this systematic review [121] emphasizes on the need for independent confirmation. Let's wait, but at the moment it is not recommended: FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Pertussin/Bronchicum/Tussamag: herbal medicine (thyme) see above.
• Mucosate - see Chondroitin.

N

• Neurox - see Mexidol.
• Neovir (Neovir/Oxodihydroacridinylacetate sodium): immunostimulant and interferon inducer, prescribed for viral hepatitis, candiosis, herpes, encephalitis, multiple sclerosis, immunodeficiencies, influenza, etc. It has a veterinary analogue, Kamedon. It is created from something unknown (see Acridon) and it is unknown how it works and whether it is safe. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Noben - see Idebenone.
• Novo-Passit: herbal medicine (valerian, lemon balm, St. John's wort, hawthorn, passionflower, hops, elderberry) + ethanol (in syrup) + guaifenesin/guaifenesin (Guaifenesin), prescribed for anxiety disorders, migraines, headaches, syndrome irritable bowel, dyspepsia, atopic dermatitis. The listed indications are not included in treatment recommendations. According to the trade name in Pubmed, there is a complete zero; guaifenesin is not being studied as an anti-anxiety drug. Cochrane Reviews 1 (guaifenesin is being studied as a mucolytic (rather than a sedative), and the meta-analysis does not particularly support its effectiveness  [122]; although high doses (up to 400 mg/kg) show some (sudden) anticonvulsant activity in mice  [123]); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Persen/Persen - the same, in tablets.

• Nooclerin/Nooclerin/Deanol aceglumate: the newest domestic nootropic, prescribed for memory impairment, asthenia, etc. Apparently, it is so secret that there is no information on it in serious sources, neither on the mechanism of action, nor on the effectiveness. Pubmed 0 (there are 13 work descriptions); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Nootropics: because some fools strongly defend the pills they need so much, they have to be laconic - the nootropic effectiveness of most of them has been refuted: in addition to the absence in nature of miracle drugs like substance z, there is not a single one approved by international recommendations or FDA a drug to improve cognitive functions in both sick and healthy people. An excellent overview of the evidence base for piracetam, as well as cortexin, citicoline and cerebrolysin  [124], see also Copypaste: Nootropics.
  • Piracetam (Nootropil/Lucetam/Nootobril/Noocetam/Piratropil/Escotropil/Pyracetam (Piracetam)/Piracetamum): a thousand names for the same useless molecule that everyone is trying to make money on. The oldest and most important nootropic is prescribed for any problems related to the head: strokes, dementia, alcohol intoxication, withdrawal symptoms, nicotine addiction, schizophrenia, depression, hypochondria, headache, memory impairment, trauma, coma, barbiturate poisoning and much more. From '72 until now there is no reliable data on effectiveness. It is noteworthy in that there is reliable information about provoking seizures in patients with epilepsy , due to which the anti-epileptic drug Keppra . Cochrane Reviews 13 (almost all negative); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). See review of the evidence base , as well as Copypaste: Nootropics .
  • Phezam (Phezam/piracetam + cinnarizine): prescribed for acute stroke, head injury, asthenia, migraine, etc. Neither Phezam itself nor its components have been studied on their effectiveness in these conditions. Pubmed 1 (commissioned positive RCT with 60 patients); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Not to be confused with Phenazepam .
• Noofen - see Phenibut.

ABOUT

• Oglufanide - see Thymogen.
• Oxybral - see Cavinton.
• Oxolin (Oxonaphthylene/Tetrahydronaphthaline): an ancient antiviral drug with no effectiveness, prescribed for influenza and herpes, including for prevention. Has no relation to the substance with true antimicrobial activity called oxolinic acid . There is no information about registration and research of drugs with the same active substance outside the former USSR: Pubmed 0 (there is a mention of a single single work in 1977); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Octolipene - see Thioctic acid.
• Olifen - see Hypoxen.
• ORVITOL - see Arbidol.
• Ophthalmoferon - see Interferons.
• Oscillococcinum: Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.

P

• Panavir (Panavir/potato shoot polysaccharides (Solanum tuberosum) 200 mcg): an herbal antiviral drug prescribed for the treatment of HPV, herpes, influenza, tick-borne encephalitis, rheumatoid arthritis and prostatitis. There is no mechanism of action, there are no studies. Pubmed 0 (you can find scoldings on it, like this: [125] , where ophthalmoferon appeared). Cochrane 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). In 2014, potato researchers received a prize from the Government of the Russian Federation .
• Pancreatin/Ermital/Mezim Forte, etc.: perhaps the most interesting in the whole topic. The need for enzyme replacement therapy for chronic pancreatitis is difficult to deny; it is indicated (enzymes are included in the WHO additional list) when we are talking about absolute deficiency - so severe that a person loses weight due to indigestion of food ( [126] , [127] ), that in fact, it is objectively confirmed by at least a coprogram. Although there are some doubts:

But in 99 cases out of 100, the listed drugs are prescribed on the basis of only guesses about pancreatic “dysfunction” (there is even a purely Soviet pseudo-diagnosis of “dyspancreatism”) or to “help digestion”, which has no clinical justification or meaning [129] - these drugs are of no use to you will not help if you do not have an absolute deficiency of pancreatic enzymes or severe necrosis. In FC it has level B [130] for the correction of pancreatic insufficiency, leading to severe malabsorption syndrome and treatment of chronic pancreatitis, no improvement in digestion - as mentioned above.

• Pantogam (Gopantam / Pantocalcin / Hopanthenic acid / Pantogam / Hopantenic acid): a nootropic prescribed for epilepsy, tics, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and many other conditions. In Japan, it was banned in the early 1990s after a number of fatal complications such as Reye's syndrome and a sharp deterioration in the condition of a patient with Rett syndrome [131] , [132] , [133] ; It’s strange that it’s not in VED here. Pubmed shows 6 identical commissioned works; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Persen - see Novo-passit.
• Pertussin - see Mucolytics.
• Piascledine (unsaponifiable compounds of avocado and soybean oils): chondroprotector, prescribed for gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis. Pubmed 2 (one RCT says it is effective, the other says it is at the level of chondroitin, which is not effective); Cochrane Reviews 1 (review of the effectiveness of herbal medicine for arthrosis - negative); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Pyritinol (Pyritinol/Encephabol/semi-synthetic analogue of pyridoxine): Touted as a nootropic for the treatment of dementia, mental retardation and memory impairment. Yes, the positive neurotropic effects of vitamin B6 are well known, but there is no data on the difference in comparison with just a vitamin in the drug, just as there is no data on the need and effectiveness of its use in these conditions. Pubmed 24 (heterogeneous comparative studies); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Picamilon - see GABA.
• Pineamin (Pineamin/Polypeptides of the epiphysis of cattle not older than 12 months of age): an antimenopausal agent, essentially Cerebrolysin (see) of the third generation. There is no mechanism of action, there are no studies. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Piracetam - see Nootropics.
• Multivitamins - there is no point in discussing the effectiveness and necessity of taking vitamins for some (very clearly defined) conditions, all this has been proven many times. Vitamins are included here not only because of the honest inscription “dietary supplement” on the pack, but also because this is also a scam: taking them without certain deficiencies, as well as “seasonal” taking multivitamins, have no justification.
• Polydexa - see Antibiotic sprays.
• Polyoxidonium (Polyoxidonium/Azoximer bromide): an immunomodulator, prescribed for the treatment of any infections from ARVI to tuberculosis, as well as rheumatoid arthritis, burns, fractures, chemotherapy and much more. It is included in the Vital and Essential Drugs (VED), contained in the Russian flu vaccine (see Grippol) and another miracle drug from the same manufacturer (see Longidaza), and is a natural saw for cutting budgets. There is no mechanism of action, the active substance is unknown outside the CIS, there are no studies. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Poludanum (Poludanum/Polyadenylic acid + Polyuridylic acid/Polyadenylic acid + Polyuridilic acid): an immunostimulant for the treatment of influenza and other acute respiratory viral infections. The active substance polyadenylic-polyuridylic acid (poly A:U) is being studied as chemotherapy for stomach cancer [136] and breast cancer, but no one knows it as an antiviral. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Preductal (Trimetazidine/Trimectal/Preductal/Trimetazidine): an antianginal agent from the miracle pharmaceutical group of antioxidants/antihypoxants; the essence is almost like validol, only it doesn’t even have a mint taste. In Russia it is used as an antianginal drug (and its effectiveness in this has been proven [137] , [138] ), in France as a remedy for tinnitus [139] and dizziness, but in 2012 EMA (after a scandal in France [140] , see Vastarel) recommended limiting its use for stable angina and prohibiting it for tinnitus and dizziness, since the benefits have not been confirmed and do not outweigh the possible risks of use (including parkinsonism [141] ) [142] . FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Prodigiosanum: an immunomodulator based on bacterial wall lipopolysaccharides. Registration of the drug in Russia was canceled in 1977, but the entire Russian Internet is replete with information about its use. But there is, of course, no information about research, about the exact composition and research. We should expect the reincarnation of the drug. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Prolit is a phytotherapeutic dietary supplement for the treatment of urolithiasis. There are no studies.
• Promisan - a dietary supplement, which is presented as the prevention of cervical cancer and breast cancer, contains Indinol and Epigallate (see).
• Proprotene - see Tenoten.
• Prostagutt (herbal medicine: palm tree extract/Serenoa repens fructuum extract): dehydrating, antiandrogenic, anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. There is no mechanism of action, but Pubmed has one commissioned RCT comparing the drug with tamsulosin [143] ; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Prostatilen - see Vitaprost.
• Prospan - see Mucolytics (Gedelix).
• Proteflazid (Immunoflazid/Flavozid/Proteflazid/alcoholic extract of flavonoid glycosides of wild cereals): another herbal antiviral against any viruses, including herpes, influenza and HIV. Not only does it not have a mechanism of action, but also a composition specification. Although the manufacturer’s website contains numerous low-quality RCTs with small samples and publications in local journals, civilized medicine does not know about this panacea: Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

R

• Milk thistle: herbal medicine for the liver for hepatitis and alcoholism has no significant effectiveness, according to Cochrane [144], [145] (and according to a study by the Institute of Alternative Medicine, it has [146]); for cancer too  [147]; not found in recommendations; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Silymarin/Gepabene/Bonjigar/Legalon/Gepasil/Karsil/Silymarin/Silibinin: Dietary supplements with milk thistle in various combinations.
• Reamberin (Meglumine sodium succinate): antioxidant and antihypoxant from the manufacturer of cycloferon, which shamelessly uses poor meglumine. There is no mechanism of action; according to research, the situation is completely similar to cycloferon. Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Remaxol (Remaxol: meglumine + succinate + methionine + riboxin (see Inosine) + nicotine): antioxidant and hepatoprotector against toxic liver damage and hepatitis, similar to cycloferon. Pubmed 16 commissioned works; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Remens: Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Rengalin: antibodies to bradykinin, histamine and morphine (!), affinity purified 0.006 g, applied to isomalt in a dilution of 100 ^{from 12 to 50} . Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness. See also Anaferon, Artrofoon, Impaza, Tenoten, Kolofort.
• Refnot (TNF-thymosin alpha-1): a drug from the creators of ingaron, the indications indicate breast cancer, but there are no studies or mentions in the recommendations anywhere, but it is already on the market. Pubmed 0; Cochrane 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). The manufacturer's website refers to an ongoing RCT, where the study group was added to chemotherapy and received an 8% difference.
  • Riboxin - see Inosine.
• Ribomunyl/Immucytal: contains bacterial ribosomes (Klebsiella, Streptococcus and Haemophilus influenzae) - another beautiful mimicry of vaccines, as if oral administration of ribosomes can take and cause an immune response. Has a positive RCT from 1997 [148] and a similar meta-analysis from 2000 [149] , which can be used as a standard for bad meta and RCTs, study. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 12; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-); The drug was never included in the guidelines.
• Ribonosine - see Inosine.
• Ridostin (Ridostin/Sodium Ribonucleate/Ribonucleate sodium): sodium salt of RNA, analogue of Derinat. An immunomodulator, an interferon inducer, prescribed for rabies, influenza, herpes, tick-borne encephalitis, HIV and other viral infections; chlamydia, prostatitis, Reiter's disease. There is no mechanism of action, no studies of effectiveness or safety. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

WITH

• Samprost - see Vitaprost.
• Sealex: herbal medicine (ginseng, palm, licorice, eurycoma) for the treatment of potency problems. Impotence cannot be treated with herbs. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Selank (Selank/threonyl-lysyl-prolyl-arginyl-prolyl-glycyl-prolyl-diacetate/Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg-Pro-Gly-Pro): a nootropic and anxiolytic of several amino acids, according to the manufacturer it has the effect of benzodiazepines , but without side effects. There is no mechanism of action, there are no good quality studies. Pubmed 2 commissioned works; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Semax: nootropic, antioxidant and neuroprotector of the latest generation, found in vital and essential drugs; prescribed for encephalopathy, brain injuries, strokes, neuritis, etc. Registered in VED (rubber list, not otherwise), patented  nanolatest generation nootropic. Here, the manufacturers were puzzled by some protection from the mind and proposed administering the drug not into the mouth, but into  nose, so that the peptides do not fall apart in the intestines, but it does not get better: there is no mechanism of action, there are no studies. Pubmed 1 commissioned RCT; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Silymarin - see Milkweed.
• Sinupret (Sinupret/BNO-101): herbal medicine (sorrel, rowan, gentian, primrose, elderberry, verbena) for sinusitis, moreover, orally; Fuflomycin of the Year 2013 for excessive mucus discharge from the nose due to irritation. One review noted some effectiveness in RCTs [150] , noting the need for further research without making recommendations; One SR of 6 studies reported improvement in sinusitis symptoms. [151] Pubmed 5; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Solcoseryl - see Actovegin.
• Somazine - see Citicoline.
• Sprays with antibiotics/antiseptics for rhinitis (Isofra, Polydexa, Bioparox, Miramistin, etc.) - the use of local antibiotics and “interferons” in the nose is pointless - it is impossible to create the proper bactericidal/virucidal concentration there. In 2013, EAACI published guidelines on rhinitis - antibacterial treatment is described there in literally one phrase: it makes sense to discuss the use of only oral antibiotics. The topic of local antibiotics/antiseptics for nasal instillation is closed forever [152] , although previously they were allowed to be used as an adjunct. [153]
• Stella is a dietary supplement with Indinol and Epigalate (see), additionally contains phytoestrogens (soy isoflavones) genistein and daidzein. There is no mechanism of action, there are many studies of phytoestrogens, but there is no evidence of effectiveness and no indications for use. Pubmed 146; Cochrane Reviews 1 (negative in menopause [154] ); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Stodal: Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Structum - see Chondroitin.

T

• Tanakan (Tanakan/gingko biloba/Ginkgo biloba - contains some ginkgolides and bilobalides ): prescribed for cognitive impairment, vestibular problems, hearing loss, tinnitus, etc. There is no mechanism of action, a Cochrane review [155] denies its effectiveness. FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Taurine: the effects of the substance on the body have long been studied and are not particularly denied, allowing it to be added to energy drinks and training products, but its medical use is questionable: about diabetes negative [156], for heart failure [157] “taurine can increase exercise tolerance”, on cataracts it is empty, etc., there are no clear indications of proven effectiveness for any conditions, there are a lot of studies, it is not found in the recommendations: FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Dibicor: taurine tablets, indications: diabetes (I and II), heart failure, poisoning with cardiac glycosides.
  • Taufon: taurine in eye , claimed to be effective against eye injuries, cataracts and corneal degeneration.

• Tenoten (Proproten-100/Antibodies to brain-specific protein S-100/Tenoten): oral antibodies in a dosage of 10–15 ^ng , does this remind you of anything? See Anaferon, Artrofoon, Impaza, Kolofort, Rengalin. Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Teraflex - see Chondroitin.
• Thymalin/thymus extract: immunomodulator to boost immunity in case of any infections and immunodeficiencies. It is administered intramuscularly, the mechanism of action has not been studied, there is no evidence of effectiveness. Pubmed 0 (non-RCT as many as 276 (!)); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Tylaxin/Tiloron - see Amiksin.
• Thymogen (Oglufanide/Thymogen/alfa-glutamyl-triptophan): a combination of two unfortunate amino acids that should modulate immunity to fight hepatitis, pneumonia, purulent lesions, etc. There is no mechanism of action, there are no studies on the indications. Pubmed 0 (94 jokes); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Thyme - see Mucolytics.
• Thioctic acid (lipoate/lipoic acid/Thioctic acid/alpha lipoic acid/ALA): a vitamin-like substance used as an antioxidant for polyneuropathy, dementia, liver damage, etc. It is registered with the FDA as a dietary supplement, RXlist is similar. Diabetic neuropathy may provide short-term improvement with injection (oral administration does not) [158] ; in dementia is ineffective [159] . In Russia it is used in the preparations Berlition, Espa-Lipon, Neurolipon, Octolipen, Thiogamma (contains meglumine, see). Not found in international recommendations, WHO 0; FC (-).
• Thiotriazolin (Thiotriazolinum/Morpholinium-methyl-triazolyl-thioacetate): hepatoprotector and antihypoxant, has no studies at all. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Traumeel: homeopathic ointment for treating injuries - can you imagine this nonsense? They will soon begin to perform homeopathic operations! Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Triazavirine (Sodium methylthionitrooxodihydrotriazolotriazinide): an antiviral drug prescribed for any flu, incl. "pig". More than 100 million rubles have been allocated for development. [160] There are no studies of high quality or reliability. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Trinephron - see Canephron.
• Triphosadenine (ATP/Adenosine triphosphate): In cardiology, ATP is used only to relieve certain arrhythmias due to its ability to transiently block AV node conduction [161] , [162] . In this case, ATP is administered intravenously, and the effect is limited to a few minutes. In all other cases (including the previously common use of intramuscular courses for the following indications: muscular dystrophy, chronic coronary insufficiency, myocardial dystrophy, post-infarction cardiosclerosis, peripheral vascular spasm, hereditary retinal pigmentary degeneration) ATP is useless because when introduced into the body very quickly breaks down into its component parts, so the only possible result is an abscess at the injection site. Its tablet use is even more pointless (in the preparations Cocarnit, ATP-Forte, etc.), proofs are not needed here, basic knowledge of biochemistry is enough.
• Troxevasin (Troxerutin/Troxerutin/flavonoid rutin) for external use against varicose veins, thrombosis and hemorrhoids. Pubmed 15; A Cochrane meta-analysis [163] reported modest improvements in some symptoms and poor quality of included studies; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Thrombovazim: oral (!) enzyme thrombolytic (protease, gluconase, amylase, xylanase, cellulase) for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome and venous insufficiency; made using another nanotechnology of irradiating powder from some plant. Apparently, the creator really wanted fame and prizes, but he lacked a little knowledge: truly working thrombolytics are injected into a vessel or directly into a blood clot. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Tussin - see Mucolytics.

U

• Umckalor (Pelargonium sidoides root extract/EPs® 7630): herbal antimicrobial drug, prescribed for sinusitis, nasopharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis. There are no specifications for the active substance, and there are no studies of effectiveness and safety. Pubmed 18; Cochrane Reviews 1 (weak evidence that the drug may be effective in reducing symptoms); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Umfenovir - see Arbidol.
• Uro-Vaxom/OM-89 is a lyophilisate of Escherichia coli for the treatment and prevention of recurrent urinary infections. The situation is similar to Broncho-Vaxom: several studies, then a small meta-analysis in 2002 [164] , MA 2009 ( [165] [166] ) in one little-known journal, all paid for by the manufacturer: “effective for the prevention of urinary tract infections, but necessary more research" ; . There is also a larger review from 2013 with lengthy conclusions: “the evidence is promising and more research is needed . [167] Based on these works, the drug is included in the suspicious guideline from the European Association of Urology (suspicious, if only because the levels of evidence of the accepted recommendations are not indicated anywhere, that there is a standard for high-quality EBM-based guidelines). The most recent publication from 2016 tells us that all the research is of low quality. [168] The drug is not on Drugs.com, RXlist.com, or in the NIH dietary supplement database; Cochrane Reviews 0, FDA 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Urolesan (Urolesan/herbal medicine: oregano, castor bean, wild carrot, peppermint, fir, hops): prescribed immediately for both urolithiasis and cholelithiasis. There is no mechanism of action, there are no studies. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Uroprost - see Vitaprost.
• Uroprofit (Uroprofit/herbal medicine: cranberry, bearberry, horsetail): for urinary infections. There is no mechanism of action, there are no studies. Pubmed 0 (for some reason the manufacturers were puzzled by the publication of one non-RCT study of this dietary supplement); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

F

• Phezam - see Nootropics.
• Phenibut (Anvifen/Bifren/Noobut/Noofen/Phenibut/Aminophenylbutyric acid): another GABA derivative (see GABA), nootropic/“anxiolytic” for the treatment of anxiety disorders, phobias, tics, insomnia, dizziness, etc. Some effect there is still some benefit from it, since cases of use as a drug have been described in Europe, but there are no RCTs on the indications, it is not found anywhere in the recommendations; Pubmed 0 (there are 184 descriptions); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Phenotropil (Phenylpiracetam/Phenylpiracetam/Carphedon/Phenotropil/Fonturacetam/Phenylpiracetam/Carphedon): another surprise from the VED, a strange and dubious doping from the depths of the USSR, which we push as a brain improver. This piracetam derivative, a nootropic, is prescribed for obesity, dementia, strokes, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, anxiety disorder, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and much more. According to reviews, it subjectively has a short-term invigorating effect and, although there is little doubt that it has any effect (due to which it was banned by the Anti-Doping Committee), there are no studies of effectiveness of sufficient quality for the indications specified in the instructions. Pubmed 0 (there are 27 descriptions of the trade name, the active ingredient Fontorace is unknown to the world); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Flacoside (Flacosidum / glucopyranoside methylbutenyltrihydroxyflavanol / Glucopyranosidemethylbuteniltrihydroxyflavanol): herbal medicine (Amur velvet, Laval velvet), which was given a chemical name, the treatment should treat various viral infections. antiviral, hepatoprotector and antikypoxant, prescribed for herpes, viral hepatitis, etc. This drug is not known not only by authoritative sources, but also by RLS [169] ; Pubmed 0; Cochrane 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Phlebaven - see Detralex.
• Phosphogliv - see Essential phospholipids.
• Fusafungin - see Bioparox.

X

• Hylak forte: a drug for “normalizing intestinal flora”, contains metabolic products of bacteria (Escherichia coli, lactobacilli and streptococcus), prescribed for gastroenteritis, colitis, diarrhea, constipation and, of course, dysbacteriosis. There is no specification of the composition, there is no mechanism of action and there are no studies. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Chondroitin and glucosamines: as part of various chondroprotective drugs, both orally and injectably, in the USA these drugs are excluded from prescribing standards and “remained on sale because patients really like them,” i.e. Patient adherence to these drugs is quite high, which, however, does not increase their effectiveness. There are indications of pain reduction with these drugs, [170] but that's subjective [171], [172], [173]; and studies even of their direct intra-articular administration show no effect  [174], [175].
  • Alflutop is a particularly epic chondroprotector: four types of sprat ( small sea fish : sprat, anchovy, belly and whiting) in one tablet; in the testimony, incl. Russian national osteochondrosis. There are no pharmacodynamics, no normal pharmacological data or studies at all. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
  • Dona / Chondroxide / Structum / Teraflex / Mucosat - chondroprotectors with various combinations of the above substances in studies show ineffectiveness in restoring cartilage tissue, but they may be effective in reducing pain in joint problems. What's more of a minus than a plus: It's called a "symptom-modifying effect," although the results are indistinguishable from a placebo painkiller. Apart from a couple of studies, serious sources do not mention a single trade name: FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

C

• Cellex: polypeptides from the brain of embryonic pigs with a funny RCT [176] - “rapid and complete regression of aphasia in the acute period of stroke” (looks like a Nobel Prize); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Not to be confused with Celebrex.
• Cerebrolysin (Cerebrolysin / complex of peptides obtained by lyophilization of proteins of the pig cerebral cortex): a nootropic that is prescribed for dementia, depression, strokes, mental retardation, encephalopathy, brain injury, etc. There are no specifications of composition, mechanism of action, high-quality studies (in one RCT indicates “a positive effect on the prognosis when using the drug in the first 72 hours after a stroke, with the remark that obtaining more accurate results is limited by the characteristics of the studies: a small sample of patients, a short observation period and other factors ). It is still safer, healthier, tastier and cheaper to eat fried brains with ravigot sauce. For almost a century, the drug has been cherished and cherished by domestic neurologists, meanwhile, in 2010, one of the most authoritative organizations in the world of medicine and pharmacology, the Cochrane Collaboration, published the results of clinical trials of Cerebrolysin, which showed that for the main indication (stroke) Cerebrolysin is ineffective [177] even in doses up to 30 ml; also see above (in Nootropics) a review of the “evidence” base. Located in Vital and Essential Drugs.
• Cereton/Cerepro - see Gliatilin.
• Cyclodynon: herbal medicine (prutnyak/vitex) for mastodynia and dysmenorrhea, not mentioned anywhere. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Cycloferon (Cycloferon/Meglumine acridоnacetate): as an interferon inducer for the treatment of any viral infections and opportunistic diseases in HIV infection. Outside the countries of the former USSR, interferon inducers (including in the countries of Western Europe and North America) are not registered as medicines, and their clinical effectiveness has not been proven in any of the major international studies; There are 220 non-RCT studies on the drug in the PubMed index (and only one on the active substance). Cochrane 38; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Of course, it is included in the VED.
• Cinnabsin: Homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Cystone: hay herbal medicine (doublecarp, saxifrage, madder, syt, straw flower, onosma, veronia, basil, fava bean, tribulus, mimosa, pavonia, horsetail, teak + mumiyo) for gout, sialolithiasis, urolithiasis and cystitis. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Citicoline (Ceraxon/Neipilept/Somazin/Ronocyte/Citicoline/Ceraxon/Cytidinediphosphocholine/CDP-choline): references to the first two synonyms can be found in the European guidelines for the treatment of stroke immediately under the line “There is no neuroprotective program that has demonstrated a significant improvement in the outcome of the disease” [ 178] . Also see above (in Nootropics) for an overview of the “evidence” base. Cochrane Reviews 3 (negative); FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Cytovir-3 (Cytovir-3/ascorbic acid + thymogen (see above) + bendazole (see above)) is an immunomodulator and interferon inducer for the treatment of all infections. The newest one, which presents itself as exclusively something better than all of the above (the off-site lists the “disadvantages” of Arbidol, Kagocel, etc., which are (allegedly) absent from this drug). There are no justifications, no pharmacodynamics, no mechanism of action, no studies of effectiveness. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Cytoflavin (Cytoflavin: inosine (see above) + succinic acid + vitamins PP and B2): indicated for everything that comes to mind (neurasthenia, encephalopathy, CVD, stroke, irritability, etc.). Two vitamins would be nice, but there is already a lot of succinic acid in our body; no cases of its deficiency have been described and cannot be (see the biochemistry textbook); in pharmacology and the food industry (additive E363) it is approved simply as an acidity regulator [179]. According to the stated evidence, the works are only descriptive: [180] , [181] , [182] , etc. Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).

E

• Eltacin (Glycine + Glutamic acid + Cystine): an antioxidant and antihypoxant, which is touted as a cure for VSD, and also has an indication for chronic heart failure. The “innovative” development from the main glycine manufacturer has no justification or research. Pubmed 0; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Emoxypine (Emoxipine/methylethylpyridinol): an angioprotector and antioxidant, especially loved by ophthalmologists, prescribed for almost any eye problems, as well as for strokes and heart attacks: available both in drops and for injections. Despite disagreements in different sources, is still the same Mexidol (3-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-ethylpyridine succinate), only without succinate. No data on pharmacokinetics, mechanism of action; no studies. Cochrane Reviews 0; Pubmed 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Engystol: homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Enerion (Sulbutiamine): a double thiamine molecule designed to increase the concentration of the latter in the brain due to better passage through the BBB [183] , however, RCTs do not show a significant result [184] and no data on a significant difference compared to normal thiamine were found. Pubmed 4; Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Enterosgel (Enterosgel/Polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate/methylsilicic acid hydrogel/Polymethylsiloxane polyhydrate/Methylsiliconic acid hydrogel): an excellent adsorbent (like almost any silica gel, and in this regard its properties have at least been studied in the laboratory [185] ), which would be logical to use in food poisoning, hangover and diarrhea of ​​various origins, but then the demand would be too small. Therefore, the manufacturer published a guide for pharmacists “How to easily vaporize the gel for any buyer” [186] and presented its development as a panacea, saying that it is effective for atopic dermatitis, diabetes, psoriasis, preeclampsia, eczema, bronchial asthma, ARVI and as a remedy for acne (it’s strange that it doesn’t restore lost limbs); In addition, the official website suggests using this enterosorbent to reduce the toxic effects of antibiotics (that is, preventing them from entering the bloodstream and having the desired effect, great). [187] . Even if we close our eyes to the fact that we know its sorbent qualities only from laboratory studies, and allow its use simply as a sorbent (with level of evidence C), then the rest of the bunch of indications from the manufacturer’s promotions do not have any clear studies, especially since there are no RCTs or references in international recommendations. Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Epigallate (epigallocatechin-3-gallate/EGCG): An antioxidant dietary supplement containing green tea polyphenols, prescribed for the treatment of endometriosis, fibroids and other gynecological problems. Like all antioxidants, it is being actively studied, but has no proven effectiveness and is not recommended for use. [188] , [189] . The FDA warns that sellers who promise any treatment with tea polyphenols are scams. [190] , [191] . Pubmed 80 (heterogeneous studies); Cochrane Reviews 0; FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-).
• Ergoferon: homeopathy cannot have evidence of effectiveness.
• Erebra - see Hyporamine.
• Esberitox: herbal medicine (echinacea, thuja, baptisia) to stimulate the immune system during acute respiratory viral infections. See Echinacea.
• Espa-lipone - see Thioctic acid.
• Essential phospholipids/phosphatidylcholines/lethicins: hepatoprotectors are used by most doctors at the slightest hint of liver damage, however, mainly in Russia. These drugs have neither convincing studies nor international registration and are little known to Western doctors, but we are ahead of the rest  patient sales. By the way, it is interesting that even in the instructions it is not recommended to give hepatoprotectors in the acute phase of hepatitis; it seems that the manufacturers decided to take a little care of the servants and realized that taking lipids would negatively affect the already overloaded liver, which would intensively process them, and not “build them into cell membranes." In various combinations they are not effective in the treatment and prevention of dementia  [192], diseases liver [193], [194], although in baboons they somewhat prevent alcoholic liver damage [195]. If you look at the recommendations of the AASLD (American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases) [196], then neither these nor other hepatoprotectors are found anywhere. FDA 0; RXlist 0; WHO 0; FC (-). Review of the evidence base:  [197].
  • Essentiale/Livolin/Liv 52/Phosphogliv/Antraliv/Brenziale/Fosfontiale: a million for every taste, with or without vitamins.
• Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): Herb for boosting immunity and treating colds. A Cochrane review of almost 5000 patients [198] concluded that there was no effect for the prevention or treatment of ARVI.

Source - http://encyclopathy.ru/