Doctors Often Dismiss Concerns About Drug Side Effects: Study

TryingtoGetWell · 08-23-2007, 03:26 AM

Health Highlights: Aug. 22, 2007

Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay:

Doctors Often Dismiss Concerns About Drug Side Effects: Study

Doctors often dismiss or ignore patient concerns about possible side effects of prescription drugs, says a University of California, San Diego study published this week in the journal Drug Safety.

The analysis of 650 patients taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs found that 87 percent of patients spoke to their doctors about possible side effects of the medications. Patients said their concerns were either dismissed or not addressed 50 percent of the time.

Responses from doctors included: "These drugs have no side effects" and "You're just getting older." Some patients were told they were imagining side effects, or they just didn't like taking pills.

The researchers noted that physician monitoring of drug side effects is essential to ensuring drug safety.

"If doctors don't acknowledge the possible connection of a patient's symptom to their drug, we are at risk both of missing important safety information and of having patient care compromised," lead author Beatrice Golomb, an associate professor of medicine, said in a prepared statement.

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08-23-2007, 03:26 AM	#1
TryingtoGetWell Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 8,682	Doctors Often Dismiss Concerns About Drug Side Effects: Study Health Highlights: Aug. 22, 2007 Here are some of the latest health and medical news developments, compiled by editors of HealthDay: Doctors Often Dismiss Concerns About Drug Side Effects: Study Doctors often dismiss or ignore patient concerns about possible side effects of prescription drugs, says a University of California, San Diego study published this week in the journal Drug Safety. The analysis of 650 patients taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs found that 87 percent of patients spoke to their doctors about possible side effects of the medications. Patients said their concerns were either dismissed or not addressed 50 percent of the time. Responses from doctors included: "These drugs have no side effects" and "You're just getting older." Some patients were told they were imagining side effects, or they just didn't like taking pills. The researchers noted that physician monitoring of drug side effects is essential to ensuring drug safety. "If doctors don't acknowledge the possible connection of a patient's symptom to their drug, we are at risk both of missing important safety information and of having patient care compromised," lead author Beatrice Golomb, an associate professor of medicine, said in a prepared statement. Copyright © 2007 ScoutNews LLC. All rights reserved. __________________ 5/93 - Started paxil after 6 years sensory distortions from benzo WD/low-dose reinst.+chronic medical problems/pain - 20 mg/day; yrs later 15 mg 3/30/06 - 20 mg 4/21/06 - 15 mg 4/27/06 - 10 mg 5/17/06 - 5 mg (none 5/20) 5/21-24/06 - 2.5 mg (5/22 - none) 5/25/06 - d/c’d paroxetine Felt better than in years, then gradual WD symptoms 6/17/06 - Bolted awake in blind terror, started E-ticket ride to hell 2010 - Leaving hell for balmier climate! (Still on my pre-paxil 0.5 mg clonazepam)

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