Thursday, March 12, 2009

Don't rely on package inserts for your meds

It is important to read the paperwork that comes with your meds (if you take them) for side effects, interactions, etc. But guess what, who prints the stuff on the 1 mm. type in the light blue type so you can barely read it? The drug companies, naturally.

If you was a more objective look at the funny colored pills you are putting in your body, ask your friendly pharmacist for the "FDA-approved package insert" or go to www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov.

If you want a list of drugs that might be under suspicion of causing weird side effects but it hasn't hit the media yet (usually, they need "bodies" before it gets to that point), check out the list at www.fda.gov/cder/aers/default.htm