Prescription drugs: are they doing you more harm than good? - by Dr Phil Hammond

How do you react to websites that claim they could save your life? Normally I pass, but having recently and reluctantly become a patient, I'm now the proud possessor of a pre-paid NHS prescription card for my two drugs a day for life. So a website pointing out questions we should ask about prescription drugs that could save your life at least got the click through from me. To save you the hassle, here they are: - How does this drug work, how much improvement can I expect, and how soon? - If I don’t take this drug now, and instead wait for a while, what will happen? - What are the most likely side effects? - Are there any rare serious side effects? - Are there any permanent problems this drug can cause? - If this is a new drug, why can’t I take an older drug? - Can I try a lower dose? - What date will we review my use/dose of this drug? - Are there problems stopping the drug or any special considerations on stopping or changing dose that I should watch for? - Are there any potential interactions with food, my other medical conditions, or my current medications? - Might this drug affect my weight/sleep/hair/skin/nails/mood/sex life and/or relationships, and if so, how? - Do I need to stop this drug before I get pregnant? These questions are great, and bang on the money (except possibly the one about pregnancy but you may well know someone who is). The trouble is, it's hard to get through them all in a ten-minute medical consultation. Even captains of industry can turn to je...
Source: PharmaGossip - Category: Pharma Commentators Authors: Source Type: blogs