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johnnydajogger
New Member
USA
3 Posts |
 Posted - 03/05/2006 : 06:02:52
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Can anyone suggest ways to check out the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs?
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Randy
SFN Regular
USA
1990 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 06:18:47 [Permalink]
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Welcome, johnnydajogger!
http://www.destinationrx.com/learningcenter/druginfo/default.asp
Give the above link a looksy; see if it helps you.
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"We are all connected; to each other biologically, to the earth chemically, to the rest of the universe atomically."
"So you're made of detritus [from exploded stars]. Get over it. Or better yet, celebrate it. After all, what nobler thought can one cherish than that the universe lives within us all?"
-Neil DeGrasse Tyson |
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Ghost_Skeptic
SFN Regular
Canada
510 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 09:30:22 [Permalink]
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Or try this one
http://www.rxlist.com/
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"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. / You can send a kid to college but you can't make him think." - B.B. King
History is made by stupid people - The Arrogant Worms
"The greater the ignorance the greater the dogmatism." - William Osler
"Religion is the natural home of the psychopath" - Pat Condell
"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter" - Thomas Jefferson |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 16:01:53 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by johnnydajogger
Can anyone suggest ways to check out the safety and effectiveness of prescription drugs?
There's something (a big book)called the PDR. Physicians Desk Reference. It's what I've looked at for many years before I use any drug. It lists everything about drugs.
I've found that asking the pharmacist is good. (the place I get my drugs from has a number to call and ask questions of a real pharmacist) You don't have to take that advice as the end of the search but they do know what they are talking about. There's also the information sheet that comes with the drug, it's supposed to tell you about side effects, etc.
Then there's always the doctor. In the past it's been said they don't know a lot and are influenced by the drug companies but I think there are some who are ok. At least my new doctor now is very open to discussion with me about what we are doing with my body and what to put in and on it. If your doctor doesn't know about a drug, he might direct you to another source.
Have you ever heard of Dr. Dean Edell? He has a radio show one can call into about anything (related to health). Or go on http://www.healthcentral.com where there's all kinds of great information.
He's very outspoken about scams and health fraud too. |
| Edited by - Snake on 03/05/2006 16:29:10 |
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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 16:40:06 [Permalink]
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| Welcome Johnny. We have something in common: I checked out your profile - my parents live in Medina, Ohio, and I lived there from when I was 14-18, and for a year when I was 25 (I'm 27 and live in Philly now.) |
"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
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| Edited by - marfknox on 03/05/2006 16:40:25 |
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Randy
SFN Regular
USA
1990 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 17:23:23 [Permalink]
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| Very good, Snake...I listen to Dr. Odell whenever he's on. Good guy Dean. |
"We are all connected; to each other biologically, to the earth chemically, to the rest of the universe atomically."
"So you're made of detritus [from exploded stars]. Get over it. Or better yet, celebrate it. After all, what nobler thought can one cherish than that the universe lives within us all?"
-Neil DeGrasse Tyson |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 17:53:13 [Permalink]
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Hey, welcome, and don't listen to them. Just kidding. Here's the basics from me and I write those prescriptions.
Anything drugs or treatments you take require a risk benefit analysis.
What's wrong, what's possible in the future with that ailment.
What do we have to treat it, drugs and/or other options.
Of those, are their more than one option?
Only one option? Then you have to decide between treating and not treating. Weigh the outcomes and which features of the outcome fits your needs. A young person might take a big risk if it offered a cure. An older person with the same thing might opt for a shorter life but no risk of out right dying from the treatment.
Deciding between options? Always take the older drug over a newer drug unless the newer one offers substantial benefits over the older one. Many newer drugs are merely other companies attempting to gain market share of a proven market. After time, if enough people have used the new drug, then you have the data to compare the two. Drug Facts and Comparisons is a good source to compare two or more drug choices. The same site can help you compare a generic version as well. Second rule go with generics unless doubt has been cast about its effectiveness. We want the market to be influenced into lowering drug prices as well as we want to not be paying the profits for brand name alone.
As for initial research, when you look on the Net for information on newer drugs and treatments, look for research and research reports, not company web sites or sites with personal testimony like those of people who think if something happened at the time a drug was taken it must mean the incident is related to the drug. As if wearing your hat backwards to the ball game really has an effect.
Drug Information Resource Center (DIRC) Some information here is without subscription
Mass. College of Pharmacy and Health Services Library and Resources list with some very good sources.
You can find these kind of sites for everything on Google but you just have to open a few of them to find the ones that are free. There are many sources out there though, that do not require subscriptions. |
| Edited by - beskeptigal on 03/05/2006 18:06:23 |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 18:08:54 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Ghost_Skeptic
Or try this one
http://www.rxlist.com/
Same thing, looks like OK source, also with intent to sell. That doesn't necessarily mean bad info, but it might mean some choices are not on the list. |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 18:12:54 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Snake
...
Have you ever heard of Dr. Dean Edell? He has a radio show one can call into about anything (related to health). Or go on http://www.healthcentral.com where there's all kinds of great information.
He's very outspoken about scams and health fraud too.
Haven't heard of this guy. I went to the one article here that I am most up to date on and the information was accurate. So I can't vouch for the whole site but it looked OK at a glance. |
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Ghost_Skeptic
SFN Regular
Canada
510 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 21:38:45 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by beskeptigal
quote:
Originally posted by Ghost_Skeptic
Or try this one
http://www.rxlist.com/
Same thing, looks like OK source, also with intent to sell. That doesn't necessarily mean bad info, but it might mean some choices are not on the list.
Are you refering to the ads that are all over the website or to something else. This site has always been the first place that I go to look for side effects/interactions (they have tables comapring durg to placebo for these) - it sounds like I should be using something else. |
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. / You can send a kid to college but you can't make him think." - B.B. King
History is made by stupid people - The Arrogant Worms
"The greater the ignorance the greater the dogmatism." - William Osler
"Religion is the natural home of the psychopath" - Pat Condell
"The day will come when the mystical generation of Jesus, by the supreme being as his father in the womb of a virgin, will be classed with the fable of the generation of Minerva in the brain of Jupiter" - Thomas Jefferson |
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Dude
SFN Die Hard
USA
6891 Posts |
Posted - 03/05/2006 : 22:40:30 [Permalink]
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Snake said:
quote:
There's something (a big book)called the PDR. Physicians Desk Reference. It's what I've looked at for many years before I use any drug. It lists everything about drugs.
Yeah. The PDR is the reference of record for clinical information about drugs.
You will find extensive and detailed info on the pharmacology of any approved drug in the PDR.
Your doctors office will probably have a copy, as will the library of just about any college or university.
But you won't find anything about how effective a certain drug is in there.
You need to form a relationship with your doctor. If you don't trust what your doctor is telling you, get a new one (they are a dime a dozen most places). Your doctor is the best source of info on drugs as they relate to you and your specific problems.
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Ignorance is preferable to error; and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing, than he who believes what is wrong.
-- Thomas Jefferson
"god :: the last refuge of a man with no answers and no argument." - G. Carlin
Hope, n.
The handmaiden of desperation; the opiate of despair; the illegible signpost on the road to perdition. ~~ da filth |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2006 : 01:28:41 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by beskeptigal
quote:
Originally posted by Snake
... Have you ever heard of Dr. Dean Edell? http://www.healthcentral.com
Haven't heard of this guy.
Information for anyone, Dr. Dean has been on the air (radio and TV) off and on for many years. He's extremely knowledgeable. Has a wonderful attitude in the way he communicates with people yet is firm in telling them about charlatans or reporting on misrepresentation and fraud.
He's written a couple of books. Is an authority on Asian art also, I think he's also written about that subject. The story of his life and how he became a doctor up to where he is now is interesting if anyone wants to read his book. He's IMO, very humble as well, for all that he does.
Disclaimer: I have no stock or holdings in any enterprise connected with him. Only met him once at a book signing and he was very gracious. I just think he's great and is trying to spread the word for rational thinking. |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2006 : 01:33:45 [Permalink]
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quote:
Originally posted by Ghost_Skeptic
...
http://www.rxlist.com/
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Are you refering to the ads that are all over the website or to something else. This site has always been the first place that I go to look for side effects/interactions (they have tables comapring durg to placebo for these) - it sounds like I should be using something else.
These guys are related to WebMD. Here's what they say themselves about sponsors:quote:
How "Sponsor Savvy" Are You? Here's Info You Should Know
Since its inception, WebMD has sought sponsorships from trusted and credible research organizations, manufacturers, and other leaders dedicated to treating and managing your health. Although there is a commercial benefit for WebMD, sponsor information also benefits WebMD users by providing them with the most up-to-date information on medications, medical devices, health services, and therapies in the marketplace.
Sponsored content has been provided by or influenced by the named sponsor. While sponsored content is subject to WebMD's Advertising Policy, it is not subject to WebMD's Editorial Policy nor reviewed by the WebMD Editorial Staff. Therefore, we take meaningful steps to ensure that our users will not confuse sponsored content with WebMD original editorial content.
You will find that:
* All content on WebMD that is influenced in any way by a sponsor is identified with the labeled "Sponsored by" or "From Our Sponsor."
* WebMD users are informed that content originates from a sponsor before they click to access it, so they are always making an informed decision to view it. Within the sponsor's content, there may be links to the sponsor's website. Users will be notified through the use of a "pop-up" notice or other appropriate means, informing them that they are visiting another site with a different privacy policy.
It is important to note that while WebMD Sponsors are subject to our Advertising Policy, where appropriate, they must also comply with guidelines from regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
While this doesn't mean the information is purely commercial, and they claim to be disclosing the "sponsors", I've found WebMD to be very much a typical commercial information site. I haven't looked at this particular page so I can't say for sure but my guess is it's the same as their other pages. You are getting information that is probably accurate but very watered down. I prefer the university and professional organization sites as well as Promed which provides free abstracts of research. There is less commercial influence than commercially sponsored sites like WebMD.
That doesn't mean specific information there isn't useful. Drug interactions would likely be accurate information, for example. |
| Edited by - beskeptigal on 03/06/2006 01:45:12 |
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beskeptigal
SFN Die Hard
USA
3834 Posts |
Posted - 03/06/2006 : 01:43:54 [Permalink]
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| The PDR is useful if you write prescriptions. It gives you dose, mechanism of action and other useful information. If you don't have a PDR but do have a drug name, go to the manufacturer's web site and check the option for information for prescribers or medical professionals and you can get the PDR (same thing as drug insert) information. Just remember the specific purpose of that information is descriptive and you have to have some idea what they are talking about when they list side effects, risks and contraindications. Unless you know what the numbers really mean you could be misled. Every drug in there lists headache and nausea, for example. That doesn't mean they really cause those side effects unless the numbers are much higher than placebo. And things that differ by small amounts might be statistically insignificant. |
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