Reference guide
Medicines not sold in France and what the French market has instead
Some medicines that have vanished from Russian pharmacies cannot be ordered from France either: they were never registered there or were withdrawn long ago. Below is what is known about each of the most frequent requests and which medicines with the same or a similar action exist in the French BDPM database. This is a reference, not a recommendation: a doctor decides on any substitution.
Published 24 October 2026.
Why a Russian medicine may not exist in France
Only medicines registered by ANSM or the European Medicines Agency circulate in France. Many brands familiar in Russia and the CIS never reached France: products of Eastern European manufacturers, combinations never registered in the EU, or products classed there as cosmetics rather than medicines.
Some medicines did exist in France but were withdrawn by the regulator: ergot derivatives (Vasobral) in 2013, fusafungine (Bioparox) in 2016. They cannot be ordered from France and are absent from BDPM.
When there is no exact counterpart, a doctor may choose the same active ingredient in another form or a medicine of the same class. Self-substitution is dangerous: the list below gives reference matches only.
How to look for a substitute
Three steps that help find the right option before contacting a manager.
- Find the active ingredient (INN) in the Russian medicine’s leaflet and open it on LekInfo’s active-ingredient pages: they list every French medicine with that ingredient.
- If the ingredient does not exist in France, discuss a same-class medicine with your doctor; the list below shows what BDPM has.
- Send a request to a manager, who checks that the information, forms and availability are current. The consultation is free.
Medicines not sold in France and what exists instead
Elidel — alternatives in France
pimecrolimus cream
Not registered in France: BDPM has no pimecrolimus.
A medicine of the same class, the topical calcineurin inhibitor Protopic (tacrolimus) ointment 0.03 % and 0.1 %, prescription-only. It is a different active ingredient with different age indications; a dermatologist decides on substitution in atopic dermatitis.
Solcoseryl
deproteinised calf blood haemoderivative
Not registered in France; BDPM has no medicines of this group.
For skin healing France uses Bepanthen 5 % (dexpanthenol) cream and ointment. There is no eye gel with the same action; a doctor chooses another treatment for corneal injuries.
Hepatrombin and Hepatrombin H
heparin sodium + allantoin + dexpanthenol; heparin + prednisolone + lauromacrogol
Not registered in France; BDPM has no heparin gels or ointments.
For bruises and haematomas France uses Hémoclar 0.5 % (pentosan polysulfate). For haemorrhoids, Titanoreïne cream and suppositories; only Titanoreïne à la lidocaïne 2 % cream contains lidocaine. These are different formulations; a doctor decides whether they suit.
Likvatirol
levothyroxine sodium oral solution 100 µg/5 ml
The brand does not exist in France, but the ingredient is registered.
The liquid levothyroxine for children is L-Thyroxine Serb oral drops 150 µg/ml; tablets are Levothyrox in a wide range of strengths. An endocrinologist sets the strength and form; both are prescription-only.
Vasobral
dihydroergocryptine + caffeine
Was sold in France, but in 2013 ANSM withdrew ergot derivatives over the risk of fibrosis; BDPM no longer lists it.
No substitute with the same composition exists. For dizziness and cognitive disorders a doctor chooses another treatment; among French medicines in this area the catalog has Tanakan (Ginkgo biloba extract).
Finalgon
nonivamide + nicoboxil ointment
Not registered in France; BDPM has no warming ointments with this composition.
For muscle and joint pain France uses diclofenac gels, Voltarene Emulgel and VoltarenActigo. Capsaicin exists in France only as the prescription patch Qutenza for neuropathic pain.
Defislez
hypromellose eye drops
The brand does not exist in France, but the ingredient is registered.
Artificial tears with hypromellose: Artelac in single-dose containers. Other lubricating drops: Dulcilarmes (povidone), Celluvisc (carmellose), Lacryvisc gel (carbomer).
Zineryt
erythromycin + zinc acetate topical solution
Not registered in France; BDPM has no erythromycin and zinc combination.
Topical erythromycin for acne is Eryfluid 4 % lotion, prescription-only. A dermatologist chooses other topical acne treatments.
Decaris
levamisole
Levamisole has been withdrawn from the French market; BDPM does not list it.
For helminth infections France uses Fluvermal (flubendazole) and Zentel (albendazole), both prescription-only. A doctor chooses the medicine and regimen by parasite.
Calcemin
calcium + vitamin D3 + zinc, copper, manganese, boron
Not registered in France; BDPM has no calcium combinations with trace elements.
Calcium with vitamin D3: Cacit Vitamine D3 (effervescent granules), Orocal Vitamine D3 (chewable tablets), Calcidose Vitamine D3 (powder). A doctor prescribes trace elements separately if needed.
Bioparox
fusafungine spray
Withdrawn across the EU in 2016 on EMA’s recommendation over severe allergic reactions; it no longer exists in France.
For a sore throat France uses the sprays Hexaspray and Colludol and Strepsils lozenges. A doctor prescribes an antibiotic for bacterial tonsillitis.
Questions and answers
Why does a Russian medicine not exist in France?
Only medicines registered by ANSM or EMA circulate in France. Many brands from Russia and the CIS were never registered there, and some, such as Vasobral and Bioparox, were withdrawn by the regulator. You can check availability by searching the LekInfo catalog by French name or active ingredient.
Can I substitute a medicine myself?
No. Even a medicine with the same active ingredient may differ in form, strength and indications, and a same-class medicine is a different substance. A doctor decides on substitution; LekInfo only shows what is registered in France.
How do I find a counterpart by active ingredient?
Look up the INN in the Russian medicine’s leaflet and open it on LekInfo’s active-ingredient pages or type it into the catalog search: they list every French medicine with that ingredient, its forms and a price guide.
What if there is no counterpart?
Send a manager a request with the medicine’s name and active ingredient. They check BDPM, clarify the possible options and tell you if neither the medicine nor a counterpart exists in France. The consultation is free.
Can a medicine that does not exist in France be ordered from there?
No: LekInfo works only with medicines registered in France and present in BDPM. There are no exceptions for withdrawn medicines.
This is reference information, not medical advice, advertising or an offer to sell. Matches are given by active ingredient or medicine class and do not imply interchangeability; prescribing and substitution are a doctor’s decisions. Source: BDPM (ANSM).