A pharmacist reveals the biggest over-the-counter drug “scam”.
Dr. Grant Harting is a licensed pharmacist. crash costsaid five drugs found in most U.S. pharmacies are not worth buying because they cost too much or are ineffective.
Common sleeping pills, allergy pills and even memory pills have been added to the list of over-the-counter drugs deemed “total garbage.”
Dr. Harting also shared a list of better and cheaper drugs that provide the same effect.
First on the list of failures was ZzzQuil, an over-the-counter sleep aid from the makers of DayQuil and NyQuil.
Sold as a syrup, ZzzQuil contains the active ingredient diphenhydramine, an antihistamine used to treat common allergic reactions.
Dr. Harting noted that while there’s nothing wrong with the drug, which costs $12 a bottle, there’s nothing to differentiate it from cheaper brands.
“It’s not actually a scam because it works, but it’s just an antihistamine mixed with alcohol,” he said.
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“The only thing I generally recommend to people is Dollar Tree’s version. It’s much more cost-effective.”
The Mayo Clinic also advises that antihistamine sleep aids like ZzzQuiil be used only occasionally because your brain quickly adapts and relies on you to fall asleep.
Sleeping pills containing diphenhydramine have been shown to cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and constipation, among other side effects.
Dr. Harting also warned against Corlace, a laxative containing the active ingredient docusate.
Docusate is intended to soften stool and treat occasional constipation.
However, Dr. Harting pointed to a 2021 study. American Journal of Gastroenterologyanalyzed seven studies on documents published between 1956 and 2021.
Researchers found that no studies showed a significant difference between docusate and placebo when tested in people with constipation.
“It is a misconception that docusate softens hard stools in constipation,” the researchers wrote. The combined clinical evidence shows that docusate is no different from a placebo. ”
Instead, Dr. Harting recommended fiber supplements made with psyllium husk, a plant-based ingredient sold under brands such as Metamucil and Benefiber.
Mucinex also made the list. This medication uses the active ingredient guaifenesin to thin mucus and help clear mucus from coughing.
Dr. Harting suggested replacing ZzzQuil (left) with a generic version to avoid high costs
Dr Harting called memory supplement Prevagen (pictured) a “scam” that “does nothing”. In 2017, a supplement marketer was indicted for false advertising.
Ranging from $17 to $40 depending on size, Dr. Harting calls the drug a “racket.” recent research They are testing teenagers and adults with respiratory infections such as bronchitis.
The study found no difference in cough compared to placebo.
“This doesn’t help break down dirt in the lungs,” Dr. Harting said.
Instead, he suggested using a saline nebulizer, an inhaler available by prescription, or a common liquid decongestant. This is because they have a more sedative effect.
Next on the scam list was Sudafed, an over-the-counter cough and cold medicine containing the active ingredient phenylephrine.
A recent FDA study found that phenylephrine is not as effective as a placebo because once it is metabolized in the intestines, it cannot reach the bloodstream at sufficient levels and is not helpful in relieving symptoms. .
Dr. Harting also called Mucinex (left) a “racquet” and suggested a generic version (right) or a saline nebulizer
In response, the FDA is calling for Sudafed to be removed from drugstore shelves.
Dr. Harting called over-the-counter Sudafed “completely garbage” that “doesn’t work at all.”
He suggested the use of prescription-only Sudafed, which uses the active ingredient pseudoephedrine.
However, he noted that it is associated with high blood pressure.
The final drug was Prevagen, a supplement that claims to improve memory and cognition. Depending on the amount of capsules, it costs between $40 and $70.
In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission and New York State Attorney General charged Prevagen marketers with false advertising, calling the memory improvement claims “blatant fraud.”
Dr. Harting said, “Prevagen is a scam and should be completely stopped.” it doesn’t do anything.
