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I see taking drugs as risky. Certain drug have long histories and seem safe and even seem to have positive side effect like Aspirin (though even it is not without risks - see below). Even if a drug has a good chance of a positive result in treating some medical condition - assuming it is otherwise safe is not wise. I believe you have have a significant positive known benefit to consider taking drugs given the unknown problems that are likely to be lurking. I find the pop a pill culture for anything that might be a minor annoyance to be foolish - taking risks without consideration. Taking drugs entails taking a risk and the more you take the risks of interactions and cumulative effects increase the risks to you. Business Week (somewhat surprising given the huge amount drug makers pay to advertise lifestyle drugs) has a decent article pointing out some of the foolishness involved in the Lifestyle Drug Binge:
This trend is surprising because such treatments can expose patients to risks, sparking criticism of drug companies at a time when patient safety is already under a spotlight. Lifestyle drugs are defined loosely as products used to treat conditions that are not life-threatening. Because people take them over long periods of time, sometimes on a daily basis, they may be more dangerous than they first appear.
We have found amazingly helpful and useful drugs. This is great. But people need to remember these drugs are not without potential negative consequences. Take advantage of them when appropriate but don’t forget the risks each instance has for negative side effects. Related: health care improvement articles - health care blog posts
Can daily aspirin therapy save your life? (from the University of Michigan):
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August 10th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
“They found that 81 percent of these cases resulted in the prescribing of a drug to treat the problem. Only 7 percent of patients received dietary counseling, and only 22 percent were given behavioral therapies such as psychotherapy or stress management counseling…”
March 17th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
“The mounting U.S. drug price crisis can be contained and eventually reversed by separating drug discovery from drug marketing and by establishing a non-profit company to oversee funding for new medicines…”
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:34 am
“Less than a decade ago, a stint in rehab was assumed to be a body- and soul-wrenching experience. Today a sojourn at a boutique establishment like Promises in Malibu… is openly discussed and in some quarters glamorized as a hip, if costly, refuge for the gilded set.”
July 7th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
“There’s only one problem with this theory of depression: it’s almost certainly wrong, or at the very least woefully incomplete…”
September 16th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
“A new government study published Monday has found that the medicines most often prescribed for schizophrenia in children and adolescents are no more effective than older, less expensive drugs and are more likely to cause some harmful side effects…”
November 13th, 2008 at 3:35 am
I agree we must be careful when it comes to taking drugs , Once cannot stress enough the importance of consulting a doctor before taking drugs , and if need be get a second even a third opinion before making your decision.
It’s a bit worrisome that we have become a ” pill-popping” society and that taking pills is now a knee jerk reaction , a this is dangerous
November 20th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Lifestyle drugs are more famous these days and it is easily available. Maybe, the government need to filter those products and have stricter rules like test results for 10 or 20 years before approving it to the market. Most of this drugs are sold as dietary supplements or food and supplements category which will approved faster registered drug. The authority need to closely monitor weight loss, hair loss, sleep disorder and sexual dysfunction drugs before it goes in to public market.
January 20th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Dino De Lellis you make an interesting point that we should consult a doctor, but isn’t it the very same doctors that have encouraged us to become a “pill-popping” society?
January 27th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Such an interesing article, especailly the bit about aspirin. I never realized that taking it daily could have side effects, my grandmother took one aday for years, was rarely ill and lived to the grand old age of 95. But the sad fact is that things are so different now and we live at such a fast past that we all want quick fix solutions and pills are far to ready available for everything. I really do agree that the government should do something about this.What kind of a future are we creating for ourselves?