Possible Side Effects Are...

Erik Bates | November 17, 2003
[hidden by request]

Kris Weberg | November 17, 2003
So in other words, you'll be less depressed despite having drymouth, not wanting to eat much, being unable to drink or smoke, and possibly being impotent. Let the good times roll!

Kris Weberg | November 17, 2003
Okay, serious response time -- there's no such thing as a drug without side effects, and most drugs, because of the ways they operate on your metabolism -- and in this case, brain function -- will do other stuff to the body. Part of this is also because the drugs must pass into the bloodstream, coming into contact with more than just the target organ or tissue group, and like any strong organic reagent will affect more than one organic system. Until we have nano-implanted computer-targeted pharmaceuticals, side effects will be part of taking any medicine.

Jackie Mason | November 17, 2003
[hidden by request]

Anna Gregoline | November 17, 2003
One might say that the positive aspects of drugs are also side effects.Also, most anti-depressants have an effect on sexual function, so I'm sure that's why they mention it.

Dave Stoppenhagen | November 17, 2003
Zyban is another name for it. Zyban is used to help people quit smoking.

Scott Hardie | November 18, 2003
Erik: Forget perfecting the drug (Kris is right). We need to perfect the legislation. If people can't get drugs like Wellbutrin without a prescription, then why not legally require the doctors to inform consumers of the possible side effects, instead of the commercials? On the plus side, those Ambien commercials that hit the airwaves from 12-4am are really good for helping you fall asleep again.

Anna Gregoline | November 18, 2003
I don't know why they talk about side effects so much either. When I got perscriptions last week for a sinus infection, both someone at the doctor's office (who gave me samples) and the pharmacist told me the side effects and warnings. I know that the personal attention isn't always given or asked for, but it seems that it's their responsibility, since I wouldn't be guaranteed to know this stuff already, not having any medical training. The thing that drives me crazy are the meds commercials that tell me to "ask my doctor" about the product, and they DON'T TELL ME WHAT IT'S FOR. Do people actually go in and ask their doctor about arthritis medicine when they are in their 20's? Etc, etc?Argh.

Effie Schaver | November 18, 2003
:) Actually they do--I have arthritis. Because of my doctor who has no bedside manner and also the side effects of the last arthritis meds I was on, I'm not taking anything for it. Today the weather sucks and my knee is killing me. I normally ignore the side effect warnings--they go over them so quickly that I usually tune it out anyway. Sometimes there are so many god awful side effects, you have to wonder why anyone would want to take the drug. And, what does it take for a drug to pass FDA standards?

Kris Weberg | November 19, 2003
Basically, if the drug does what it claims and doesn't have fatal or major side effects for most people -- major being defined here as promoting long-term health problems -- the FDA will approve it. But the FDA tests drugs pretty rigorously, and the process can take a while. Disturbingly, the pahramaceuticals industry has spent decades and many billions lobbying against the testing the FDA does currently.

Erik Bates | November 19, 2003
[hidden by request]

Anna Gregoline | November 19, 2003
Sorry, Effie. But I'm sure you see what I mean. I think that could be a possibility, Erik.