TV commercials for prescription drugs

[Andara Bledin]

Well, the drowsiness from the sleeping pill would be for times when you didn't want to be sleepy. You know, like when you're driving.

I like to check the percentages on the packages for the various side effects. If it's below the likelihood of, say, getting struck by lightning (somewhere around 700,000:1), I figure I'll take my chances to get whatever benefit the drug is promising.

^-.-^

[jackfaire]

The suicidal thoughts side effect isn't well explained actually.

The medication itself doesn't lead to suicidal thoughts however in severe depression the person who is too drained to even contemplate suicide they are more depressed than the person who commits suicide. As they are getting better they hit the point where they are depressed enough and have the energy to commit suicide.

That is the problem with all of the side effects none of them are explained nor are the odds explained.

For example the side effects could be such that they only effect 1 out of every million people however by law they still have to list it as a potential side effect even if most people will never experience said side effects.

[Andara Bledin]

Honestly, if you're going to be taking any type of medication for depression, you should have a professional who is prescribing it who will know the potential effects as well as the person dispensing it who will also go over the potential effects of using it.

Plus, nothing like that should ever be available over the counter.

^-.-^

[HYHYBT]

Well, the drowsiness from the sleeping pill would be for times when you didn't want to be sleepy.

But why would people who don't want to be sleepy take sleeping pills?

[Hyena Dandy]

On an unrelated note.

My doctor always smiled that much.

[wolfie]

I don't remember the drug, but it was for a sleeping pill. One of the listed side effects was drowsiness. Ya think?

But why would people who don't want to be sleepy take sleeping pills?

I think what Mr. Hero was referring to was that the sedative effect wouldn't completely "wear off" by morning, so someone taking the sleeping pill would still be drowsy the next day.

[Andara Bledin]

But why would people who don't want to be sleepy take sleeping pills?

What wolfie said.

It's not that the pills made one drowsy when taking them, but that the drowsiness didn't go away during the time the patient wanted to be awake and alert.

^-.-^

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

Actually the thing I hate about Prescription ads (the last time I actually saw one) was that they say "Ask your doctor if umptrscrunch is right for you."...

But never tell you what the hell they're supposed to be for. You get happy people walking around in flowered fields on sunny days and are shown a pill. Not a fugging clue what the pill is supposed to be for.

I'm afraid to ask my doctor about any of these medications because with my luck I'll ask about a prescription medication for severe PMS or something.

Frankly I'd rather let the doctor suggest the medications based on the problems I have. If it doesn't work I'll go back and ask "What else can we try?"

[telecom_goddess]

You guys crack me up....

Yeah, doc, get to writing me that script please! I can't wait to be stopped up for 3 days with bleeding ulcers in the hope that my blood pressure lowers.

The DayQuil commercials used to show people all bogged down with a cold who took a shot of DayQuil and are now functioning normally and sprinting through their day with poise.

It's so true though. And the bit about not knowing what drugs are for, it took years to realize that Rogaine was for baldness. And that Claritin was for allergies.

[LadyBarbossa]

As someone who sells this stuff 40 hours a week, I can tell you firsthand that people aren't all happy go lucky like in the commercials. I usually hear variations of:

"Wait, WHAT? That costs HOW much? What the hell . . . does this doctor think I'm rich. Y'all can cancel that stuff and keep it."

"HOLY SHIT. Isn't there a generic for that?"

"Sure, it works, but now I can't afford groceries!"

I remember the ad for the one that causes oily stools or whatnot. The late night guys had a field day with that. I think because one ad in particular listed that side effect while showing the actors in a swimming pool. Eeeewww!

What kills me is when people actually get their doctor to write a prescription for Latisse and PAY for it, because it's purely cosmetic and most insurance companies won't cover it at all. I mean really, you're gonna pay like $100 a month to make your eyelashes grow more? And I thought I was nuts.

[linguist]

While not necessarily prescription related, what bothers me is when drug companies capitalize on consumers' ignorance. I've seen this quite a bit, but most recently is with Vick's Zzzquil, which they're marketing as a sleep aid. It's active ingredient is diphenhydramine hcl, which is the same active ingredient in Benadryl (and at the same dosage). Zzzquil sells in my area for about twice the price of Benadryl, and about four times the price of generic diphenhydramine, but most consumers aren't aware of this, or don't think to check the ingredient labels.

[Andara Bledin]

I'm of the opinion that any consumer who can't be arsed to check the active ingredients list on their OTC medication and price compare deserves to be overcharged.

I regularly check the ingredients list on the name brand meds versus the generics and as often as not they contain the exact same things until you get to the inactive portions of the label.

^-.-^

[Racket_Man]

While not necessarily prescription related, what bothers me is when drug companies capitalize on consumers' ignorance. I've seen this quite a bit, but most recently is with Vick's Zzzquil, which they're marketing as a sleep aid. It's active ingredient is diphenhydramine hcl, which is the same active ingredient in Benadryl (and at the same dosage). Zzzquil sells in my area for about twice the price of Benadryl, and about four times the price of generic diphenhydramine, but most consumers aren't aware of this, or don't think to check the ingredient labels.

at least in the past (in the 1990s) NyQuill had in its ingredient list 25% alcohol. Yah no wonder why it puts you to sleep. The thing that always bother me was you could, at the time, just walk in and buy a bottle and NO was ID required.

I wonder if ZZZQuill had that same ingredient in it

[Mongo Skruddgemire]

I'm of the opinion that any consumer who can't be arsed to check the active ingredients list on their OTC medication and price compare deserves to be overcharged.

Agreed. I do the same for Aspirin. Why pay for the Extra Strength (2x500mg = 1,000mg) when there is no difference in the active ingredient (aspirin) and I can get a big bottle of generic regular strength (3x325mg = 975mg) for a quarter of the price.

Even factoring in that I have to take three pills as opposed to two, I'm still paying significantly less per dose.

So it pays to learn the active ingredients and the dosages.

[Stormraven]

Jeff Foxworthy has a great bit about those prescription med commercials. Try Floraflor!