Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Continued use may result in limb loss

Television is now clogged with, among other things, a dizzying array of pharmaceutical commercials. Plaavix, Logimax, Seroquel, the list of bizarre names more indicitive of Captain Kirk's little black book than anything I'd want to injest or inject. Of course, those are just the brand names. Viloxazine hydrocholoride is far less encouraging than Vivalan, and that's with the fact that the proprietary name is no great comfort.

The commercials present the drug as a savior from some crippling scourge, even if the menacing fate be no more than the use of other forms of birth control. Once you have their medicine, your life will suddenly acquire all the fulfillment, enjoyment, and beautiful people your unfortunate condition has long thwarted. Then, after having promised to solve sweaty palms with two quick and easy bimonthly treatments, somoene lists the mild side-effects.

Some paitents report blindness, loss of taste, nose bleeds, and migranes. In some rare cases, psychosis and delusions have been reported. If you experience any head, chest, or limb pain, see a doctor as these may be symptoms of a relatively rare but exceedingly fatal (and painful) disease. This medication should not be taken by human beings, dogs over the age of four, or non-placental mammals.

Of coruse, I do not mean to make light of anyone's plight. This medication, and the deregulation that allows its cavalier advertisement, are likely substantial improvements in the lives of many people. However, it always seems to me that the problem the drug offers to solve is almost never worth the risk of the side-effects.

12 comments:

LeperColony said...

The title for this post came from an episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast. This particular episode, Chambraigne, is 20 of the funniest minutes ever seen on television. If you haven't seen it, I'd rectify that omission.

fon said...

Thanks for the comment :) How long you got left on your law degree? Tried doing law... couldn't handle it - just not smart enough :P

Leesa said...

Thanks for the comment on my blog. I do believe in evolution; was not trying to bash it. I was just indicating that I cannot believe that anyone could doubt evolution -for the thing I mentioned. I see all of these Bible thumpers discard evolution - even saying that God placed fossils to "fool his children." Yeah, I am sure he baked those in his little Easy Bake Oven.

Sheri said...

I'm going to post your blog on my links. Thanks for stopping by-love this post

Bethany said...

Those commercials crack me up. I love when the announcer guy reads them really fast -- probably hoping we won't notice -- but it really sounds like he has so many side effects to list that he can't get through them all in a normal voice. Then I laugh.

Jackson said...

Fetch Daddy's Blue Fright Wig!

Sky said...

I think the birth control commercials are the most amusing. They refuse to reveal what the advertisement is for. All they do is show a bunch of young and beautiful girls doing fun things. They're so elusive.

Laura said...

Love the title for this post! You're right, those commercials are all pretty deceiving.

And yes, I'm keeping the kittens. They're too cute not to keep! I live in a rural area so they have plenty of room to run around safely.

Looking forward to seeing pictures from the convention!

Gurn said...

Nothing else is ever gonna beat Petit Filou's yoghurt slogan...

"Petit Filou - it's French for Yum"

End Transmission -fzzt-

Molly said...

Thanks for the comment, your blog is very thought provoking and your posts are well written.

I too wonder why it is that we have become such an overmedicated society. Certainly there is good done by medicine, but must there be a medicine for every perceived ailment or imperfection?

jarret said...

you ever notice that the drug might give you the same symptoms that you already have.

Just stay away from any that cause anal leekage

Erin said...

Personally, I won't take any drug that doesn't have an X and a Z in it.