Re: Prescriptions should have attachments

[Guest guest]

The attachment should list reasons for taking it and side effects. When we buy

someting OTC all that information is on the label. Prescriptions come with no

label, no information, in illegible handwriting.

Ora

>May cause long term yeast and bv infections, may disrupt your hormones

>levels and may cause vulvodynia.

>May disrupt hormone levels that can cause fatigue, send you into

>perimenopause, cause depression, etc!

>

>Blueeberri

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

You're so right Ora if you mean the actual prescription itself that we get from the doctor in their scribbled hand writing, and far too often that little 'patient' insert from the druggist has minimal information.

But when I get a prescription... usually the full technical insert is in there in extremely tiny writing and 2-3 pages long and I've always read them, if it's not I ask for it. (tho usually I've read it on line before I decide to get it filled) but I also know sometimes much of it doesn't apply. For instance remarks on estrogen which I know were from studies all done with the synthetics and in my opinion don't apply to the bio-identical estrogen that I'm getting. (though they 'have' to put that there) so just my thoughts on that end of it.

I've not used birth control, (one month with severe leg cramps was enough for me) so I don't know specifically what they might or might not tell you in those.. like Blueeberri mentioned should be, but I would hope so.. especially how they know today it can contribute to V pain or definitely that loss of libido and depression, is it any wonder that the use of antidepressants is so high too when you think about it *sigh* and then talk about the risks with those? yikes.. What a viscious circle drugs can make. Dee ~

----- Original Message ----- From: taurusrc@...

The attachment should list reasons for taking it and side effects. When we buysometing OTC all that information is on the label. Prescriptions come with nolabel, no information, in illegible handwriting. Ora

[Guest guest]

But by the time you get the package insert you have already paid for the meds.

I always look it up on the internet before I decide to fill it also but many

people do not. So they are basically buying a " pig in a poke " .

Doctors frequently have " favorite " meds that they prescribe sometimes based on

how persuasive the pharmaceutical salesman is.

Ora

>You're so right Ora if you mean the actual prescription itself that we get from

the doctor in their scribbled hand writing, and far too often that little

'patient' insert from the druggist has minimal information.

>

>But when I get a prescription... usually the full technical insert is in there

in extremely tiny writing and 2-3 pages long and I've always read them, if it's

not I ask for it.

[Guest guest]

<Doctors frequently have "favorite" meds that they prescribe sometimes based on how persuasive the pharmaceutical salesman is> Ora

Isn't that the truth Ora. I know they do and how the sales reps of course push their products.But that's when I'm likely to suggest something else like a different antibiotic for a newer one or something else for BP or whatever if I know about them. No doubt we've all got to take our health into our hands to some degree (or so I believe) but also based on a firm knowledge foundation, but I definately know those who trust 'whatever' the doc says without a question being asked.. Just depends on your nature. We're too inquisitive *grin*and likely it's because of the mistakes that 'have' been made previously. (at least with me for sure)..

Dee

[Guest guest]

There is a doctor near me who is amazing - he doesn't take insurance

unfortunately, but he also does not allow any gifts/lunches from

pharma. reps at all - he wants his office to be completely uninfluenced

by that junk. You know - they don't have all the pens and clipboards

and posters around with the drug logos on them. That kind of thing.

Very refreshing.

Melinda

[Guest guest]

As far as I know some of those kind of warnings already exist in

the pamphlets for birth control pills.

The prescriptions do come with information on them but you need

to ask at the pharmacy if taking an actual prescription in.

With the sample packs the insert that comes with them have

various warnings on them.

Kristy

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[Guest guest]

That is true but you get the information along with the medication which you

have already paid for. I am not familiar with " sample packs " . Could you

explain that?

Ora

On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:18:33 -0700 (PDT), Kristy Sokoloski sokokl@...>

wrote:

>As far as I know some of those kind of warnings already exist in

>the pamphlets for birth control pills.

>

>The prescriptions do come with information on them but you need

>to ask at the pharmacy if taking an actual prescription in.

>With the sample packs the insert that comes with them have

>various warnings on them.

>

>Kristy

[Guest guest]

Ora,

The pharmacy has another sheet on the medication that you can

ask for that comes with them for the patients just like if you

were to ask for the sample packs from your gyn.

When you get sample packages from the gyn office (and I have

done this for many of my birth control pill brands) and open the

box there will be of course the pill packs and the carrying case

for it but there's also information that comes with it that

tells you about the chemical make up of the medication and all

the potential side effects that can occur. This is more

detailed than the advisories that come with the medication from

the pharmacy itself when you pay.

Also, on the advisories that come from the pharmacy they always

say other side effects not listed here can occur. This takes in

to account what is being suggested but certain ones have to be

listed more so than others because of laws that were enacted

over the years.

Kristy

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Okay, next time my doctor gives me a prescription I will ask for a sample pack.

I have never done that and didn't know they existed. I did ask for a sample of

my new inhaler once and he searched around and finally found one but it had

expired. I have gotten sample eyedrops from my opthamologist but they didn't

come with literature.

Ora

On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:54:43 -0700 (PDT), Kristy Sokoloski sokokl@...>

wrote:

>Ora,

>

>The pharmacy has another sheet on the medication that you can

>ask for that comes with them for the patients just like if you

>were to ask for the sample packs from your gyn.

[Guest guest]

I have written to my State Senator who authored a bill (CA SB 472 making it

mandatory for pharmacies to provide prescribing information for prescription

drugs.

Here is what I wrote:

------------------------------

I have read SB 472 and appreciate your efforts to make this a part of California

regulations for protection of its citizens.

However this is a bit like closing the barn door after the horses escape. People

in California (and elsewhere) spend astronomical amounts for prescription drugs,

some covered by insurance and some not covered.

Scenario:

You go to the doctor, he/she writes a prescription, you take it to the

pharmacy, they fill it and hand you the medication in a bag, along with a notice

listing various criteria for using the medication. You pay for the meds (co-pay

or full amount). Prescriptions are non-returnable for credit or refund.

---------------

You start to use the medication and it does not work for the purposes for which

it was prescribed. Or the side effects are not well tolerated or they are

downright hazardous to your health.

I propose a bill making it mandatory for doctors to provide a package insert or

list of indications for medications when they write the prescription and give it

to the patient along with the written prescription itself so the patient will

know what to expect.

The way it works now is that we are buying a " pig in a poke " which frequently

winds up in the trash, polluting our water and environment.

If one purchases a non-prescription medication the box contains much information

about the meds making it possible to come to a decision as to whether or not it

might be appropriate for its purpose. But prescriptions give us no such choices

making me wonder if we are guinea pigs for prescription medications.

What do you think?

------------------------

Ora

>The attachment should list reasons for taking it and side effects. When we buy

>someting OTC all that information is on the label. Prescriptions come with no

>label, no information, in illegible handwriting.

>

>Ora

[Guest guest]

HI Ora...

Great letter,

But...... I'm confused or maybe it's different state to state? I'm in Ohio and I've never gotten a prescription that 'didn't' have the 'full' techincal prescribing info in it. What it's made of (the chemical structure) why it's used, possible side effects, contraindications, pregnancy use, and more. But you are right that it's not beforehand. (how could they do that as I think about it?)

Although I'll bet a druggist would let you look at it before you paid. It's just a paper that's folded up within the box or container and they could pull that out to let you read it (I'd think). Though they're very detailed and long.

I used to have all kinds of inserts like that setting around my computer to keep handy if someone asked about something, like the various steroids or different BP meds, and esp. the Estrace (had a ton of those) as they even came with all the tiny samples I got from the doc, or all those eye medicine drugs that time. (tho I couldn't see to read them, plus didn't take the time and that was one time I should have. DUH) Then I finally threw them all away and figured I could just look it up on line.

It just sounds so strange that you don't get that with yours.

Dee

Re: Prescriptions should have attachments

I have written to my State Senator who authored a bill (CA SB 472 making itmandatory for pharmacies to provide prescribing information for prescriptiondrugs. Here is what I wrote:

..............................................

[Guest guest]

We get some information including the main side effects but not all of them and

not the " full " prescribing information. I always ask for the package insert

(the one with the tiny print) because it is never in the bag with the meds. The

law went into effect last year.

Of course some pharmacies give more information than others. But it would be

good if the information came from the doctor when he writes the prescription.

Then it would prevent delays. The drugstore will let you read the info but I

don't really like to hold up the line while I am reading or stand aside to read

the stuff and then get back in the line. Sometimes those lines are long. They

just stick the meds and the literature in the bag and tell you how much money

they need.

Ora

>HI Ora...

>

>Great letter,

>

>But...... I'm confused or maybe it's different state to state? I'm in Ohio and

I've never gotten a prescription that 'didn't' have the 'full' techincal

prescribing info in it. What it's made of (the chemical structure) why it's

used, possible side effects, contraindications, pregnancy use, and more. But

you are right that it's not beforehand. (how could they do that as I think about

it?)

>

>Although I'll bet a druggist would let you look at it before you paid. It's

just a paper that's folded up within the box or container and they could pull

that out to let you read it (I'd think). Though they're very detailed and long.

>

>I used to have all kinds of inserts like that setting around my computer to

keep handy if someone asked about something, like the various steroids or

different BP meds, and esp. the Estrace (had a ton of those) as they even came

with all the tiny samples I got from the doc, or all those eye medicine drugs

that time. (tho I couldn't see to read them, plus didn't take the time and that

was one time I should have. DUH) Then I finally threw them all away and figured

I could just look it up on line.

>

>It just sounds so strange that you don't get that with yours.

>

>Dee

> Re: Prescriptions should have attachments

>

>

>I have written to my State Senator who authored a bill (CA SB 472 making it

>mandatory for pharmacies to provide prescribing information for prescription

>drugs.

>

>Here is what I wrote:

>.............................................

[Guest guest]

Ora,

If you find that a package doesn't come with the literature when

you get samples from the doctor's office you can ask your

pharmacy for it.

I learned about getting samples for some of my meds if available

because it helps to reduce the overall cost of some of my

prescription needs even though I have insurance. I then found

out a few years ago or so on a program where they were giving

information about tips to help with the cost of healthcare needs

such as for those that are seniors that they said to try and get

samples for as many of your medications (if available of course)

that you can. It's a huge help in reducing costs.

Kristy

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[Guest guest]

That's good to know, Kristy. I don't generally have issues with prescriptions

because all I take regularly is Armour Thyroid but occasionally I need an

antibotic or something for pain. The last time I had to get pain meds (for my

knee) I had to stop taking it after three days because it made me so hungry that

I was eating almost constantly. One of its side effects was low blood sugar.

But that was a rare side effect and didn't even show up on the paperwork from

the pharmacy.

I found some 8 hour tylenol at the drugstore and when I told my doctor he

didn't even know about it.

Ora

On Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:25:08 -0700 (PDT), Kristy Sokoloski sokokl@...>

wrote:

>Ora,

>

>If you find that a package doesn't come with the literature when

>you get samples from the doctor's office you can ask your

>pharmacy for it.

>

>I learned about getting samples for some of my meds if available

>because it helps to reduce the overall cost of some of my

>prescription needs even though I have insurance. I then found

>out a few years ago or so on a program where they were giving

>information about tips to help with the cost of healthcare needs

>such as for those that are seniors that they said to try and get

>samples for as many of your medications (if available of course)

>that you can. It's a huge help in reducing costs.

>

>Kristy

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Ora,

They don't have room to fit all the possible rare side effects

that could occur with a medication on the advisories that come

from the pharmacy. So because of this that's why they say on

there after the other things they do list that it will say

" other side effects not listed can occur " .

Of course if one looks at a PDR (would love to have one myself

but they are so expensive)-the big one that doctors have then

you will find all the information.

There are smaller versions for families to help with

medications. There's also another book out there that I've

heard good things about for checking up on meds called Good Pill

Bad Pill. I eventually want to get these books but it will have

to wait til I have a job and also finish learning alot about

Podiatry (pretty much have to not only because of my issues with

my feet but the fact that they require me to now have a

Podiatrist on my health care team which I should have had be on

the team since 20 years ago but that's a story for another

time).

Some antibiotics can sometimes be given in sample form too

although that's pretty rare. How I know this is about 10 years

ago or so when I had issues with one of my ingrown toenails I

showed it to my rheumatologist and he gave me a sample bottle of

Amoxycillin to take for that. Then when I went to my Primary

care doctor I had at the time (that's a story for another time

as to why I don't) to have them deal with the ingrown toenail in

the long run I told them about that medication and they said to

keep taking that medication in addition to what they did for me

that day which was to remove the nail bed to keep it from coming

back.

Kristy

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[Guest guest]

" Good Pills Bad Pills " is a good book, but the only problem is it is

VERY limited in what it covers. It is mostly aimed at seniors and

covers medications typically used by older adults along with meds that

often cause really bad side effects. I do suggest it because it has a

lot of pain meds in it that we take-along with things like diflucan,

antibiotics, psychotropics, etc.

Lindsey

[Guest guest]

GREAT letter! And I agree. The very least they could do is have a PDR

available for people to read at a pharmacy or MDs office. By the time

you get an rx from the doc he/she is usually out the door. The biggest

problem I see? That by handing you info about all of the side effects

you actually might QUESTION the doc about the appropriateness of the

meds.

Lindsey

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Lindsey.

However Doctors' offices have copy machines and I can just tell the doc that I

need a copy of whatever I need and he can instruct his staff to give me the

copy. I can pick it up on my way out and read it at my leisure. Most doctors

have the PDR and it contains all the info. The electronic PDR is on the

internet and making a copy would be easy. His staff can make a copy for me.

One problem though, I might read the thing and decide I don't want to even fill

the prescription, then the doctor would have to come up with an alternative.

Ora

>GREAT letter! And I agree. The very least they could do is have a PDR

>available for people to read at a pharmacy or MDs office. By the time

>you get an rx from the doc he/she is usually out the door. The biggest

>problem I see? That by handing you info about all of the side effects

>you actually might QUESTION the doc about the appropriateness of the

>meds.

>Lindsey

>