I heard this commercial while watching At The Movies today. I have no knowledge of nor opinion on Cymbalta itself but the commercial spent 47 seconds reading the following...
"Tell your doctor right away if your depression worsens, if you have unusual changes in behavior or thoughts of suicide. Anti-depressants can increase these in children, teens and young adults. Cymbalta is not approved for children under 18. People taking MAOIs or thioridazine or with glaucoma should not take Cymbalta. Taking it with NSAID pain relievers, aspirin or blood thinners may increase bleeding risk. Severe liver problems, some fatal were reported. Signs include abdominal pain and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Talk with your doctor about your medicines, including those for migraine, or if you have high fever confusion and stiff muscles to address a possible life threatening condition. Tell your doctor about alcohol use, liver disease and before you reduce or stop taking Cymbalta. Dizziness or fainting may occur upon standing. Side effects include nausea, dry mouth and constipation. Ask your doctor about Cymbalta."
I know it's FDA regulations requiring them to say this, or more likely lawyers CYA interpretation of such regulation. But isn't this a little ridiculous? The whole commercial was just 75 seconds, so 63% of it was this warning. I doubt the warning would change anyone's opinion of taking the drug and I doubt a defense of "well we warned them in our TV commercial" would hold up in court in any kind of lawsuit; so it's just pointless.
1 comment:
The company is complying with FDA regulations and guidance on advertising and promotion. There is an entire division at FDA that deals with these types of issues; DDMAC.
This is the "price" that pharma companies pay for being able to advertise prescription products directly to patients. Doctors hate it.
Yes, it is ridiculous.
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