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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Cecilia on June 30, 2005, at 1:41:58
I`ve been reading an interesting book, "Overdose:the case against the drug companies" by Jay S. Cohen. It`s got some pretty scary info about the the drug companies and their bedmates, the FDA. He says the drug companies recommended doses are often way too high. For example, he says Lilly`s own studies showed, before Prozac was ever approved, that 54% respond to only 5 mg, 64% to 20 mg, and 65% to 40 mg. Yet because they wanted that 64% statistic in order to get FDA approval they never mentioned that 5 out of 6 responders only needed 5 mg and only marketed a one size fits all 20 mg capsule. As one of the many people who tried Prozac soon after it first came out and said I would never touch the stuff again because of side effects, now about 30 drugs later I`m wondering if I should go back and try a small dose. Anyway, the author has a lot of similar info about many drugs, such as those for hypertension and high cholesterol, all recommended by the drug companies in doses much too high for many people. (An exception, he says is Claritin , where the dose recommended is too low for many people, all because the manufacturer didn`t want to have to list sedation as a side effect!) Basically, it`s all about marketing, first to the FDA, to get approval, and then to the doctors who want one size fits all formulations so they don`t have to think. Cecilia
Posted by linkadge on June 30, 2005, at 6:25:05
In reply to Interesting book on drug companies, posted by Cecilia on June 30, 2005, at 1:41:58
I think this is dead on. I responded to 10mg of celexa, and the doctors had prescribed 60mg. I never took 60 for too long, I just found the dose that worked for me and stuck with it.
Linkadge
Posted by MidnightBlue on June 30, 2005, at 10:54:04
In reply to Interesting book on drug companies, posted by Cecilia on June 30, 2005, at 1:41:58
I take 1/2 the regular recommended starting dose of Avapro for high blood pressure. I think my failure to be able to tolerate other blood pressure meds was the high dose. That is one reason my blood pressure went untreated for so long. The starting doses were too high and dropped my pressure too low.
If and when I start a new AD I will assure you I will start at a VERY low dose!
MidnightBlue
Posted by Phillipa on June 30, 2005, at 19:00:18
In reply to Re: Interesting book on drug companies » Cecilia, posted by MidnightBlue on June 30, 2005, at 10:54:04
Ouch! When prozac first came out my pdoc prescribed the standard 20mg. lst day wallpapered the foyer, 2ng day anxiety, 3rd day panic attack all day and lots of xanax. When I told the pdoc that I had taken it for 3 days only he begged me to take it but only every 3 days. Funny this is one of the meds I have been debating trying again and my current pdoc will Rx the liquid. That way I could start low. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Jakeman on June 30, 2005, at 19:51:23
In reply to Re: Interesting book on drug companies, posted by Phillipa on June 30, 2005, at 19:00:18
I've always befuddled psychiatrists because I would try taking less that the drug company recommended dosage. One doctor was amazed that I would go to the trouble of precisely dividing pills by using a pill splitter that's available from the local grocery store. Just because Prozac only comes in 20 mg (that was the case for a long time) doesn't mean that its the proper dosage for everyone on the planet.
best regards ~Jake
Posted by paulbwell on July 1, 2005, at 4:31:47
In reply to Re: Interesting book on drug companies, posted by Jakeman on June 30, 2005, at 19:51:23
> I've always befuddled psychiatrists because I would try taking less that the drug company recommended dosage. One doctor was amazed that I would go to the trouble of precisely dividing pills by using a pill splitter that's available from the local grocery store. Just because Prozac only comes in 20 mg (that was the case for a long time) doesn't mean that its the proper dosage for everyone on the planet.
>
> best regards ~Jake
When i first took prozac 20mgs caused hypomania, I would go on 5mgs if i ever took it again. Conversely people who require higher doses of ADD meds or pain meds often have a tough time getting believed and having adaquate dose provided for them because of "recommended guidelines".An example is in Narcolepsy symptoms where the max for Dex and Adderall is listed at 60mg, I know of several people who take, need higher doses, 1 lady i correspond with takes 120mgs Adderall 4x a day 30mgs a time cause she doesn't like SR. I know am older fellow on Desoxyn (recommended Rx 20-25mgs) who needs 80mgs daily to function, I have needed more ADD meds at times than scripted, so it works both ways.
This is the end of the thread.
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