Thyroid pills, drug package labels

August 22, 1999

On Sun, 22 Aug 1999 14:04:26 EDT WHIMSY2@... writes:

> From: WHIMSY2@...

>

> On my latest bottle it has a big sticker

> pasted on to

> it saying " take one hour before eating " . This is new and it's

> So does anyone know why the label has suddenly changed and

> do I have

> to worry about taking the Synthroid differently than I have for the

> Vicki

Vickie,

It could be something as simple as a pharmacist putting the sticker on

there by mistake, or maybe, new research has shown that it is more

effective when taken some time before a meal. To be sure, look in the

PDR (Physicians Desk Reference) and similar books on drugs. I have

learned not to put much stock in these " routine " or mass-produced

warnings. As just one example, I refer to the computerized " drug

information " printouts that accompany one's prescriptions at many

pharmacies nowdays; I recently picked up a box of needles for my Novolin

pen syringes. The " drug information " printout accompanied it, with a

narrative under each of the routine headings, " Common uses of this drug " ,

" Are there any side effects? " , " What if I miss a dose? " , etc. Obviously,

none of this stuff applies to hypodermic needles, yet under the " Side

effects " heading, there was a vaguely worded comment about , " ...observe

routine cautionary procedures for any medication... " instead of just

saying, " Does not apply " or " N/A (not applicable) " . Similarly stupid

comments were under the other headings, even though there would be

nothing appropriate for a device, as opposed to an actual drug. We have

to look out for ourselves, instead of blindly accepting everything that

is thrown at us ! !

Pete, T 1

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