4 ms·

One thing that's always bothered me is that companies can make a ton of medications, such as those that treat depression and anxiety, that are incredibly diffic

One thing that's always bothered me is that companies can make a ton of medications, such as those that treat depression and anxiety, that are incredibly difficult to get off of once you start with the medication. None of these companies are required to make any lower doses to help people "taper off" what's supposed to be a temporary medication. Most of the time your only option is to quit "cold turkey" which is straight up awful with brain zaps, nausea, trouble focusing, and often a complete spike in your previous symptoms from 0 to 100. Oftentimes quitting this way can make you feel like you need the drug to survive. I get it is not profitable to make doses that are only used temporarily when people quit your product, but this is definitely harmful to the consumer. I was stuck with one and I tried everything to find a lower dose. I had tried quitting cold turkey 3 separate times and I ended up a sobbing mess each time. Given that was just not working, I tried different pharmacies, I talked to them about liquid suspension ($200+ not covered) and more. I was fed up. Eventually, against the advice of my doctors, I just started cutting my pills into 1/4s and taking a 1/4 less every 2-4 weeks until I was off it. Doing it this way was utterly painless and I was able to continue working throughout. After that I didn't need it anymore. But this is a terrible practice, and won't work with all drugs -- especially delayed ones. This is why I think so many people are on these types of drugs. They are amazing short term and can help people work through some really difficult issues to get to a better place mentally -- but not everyone needs them long term. However when faced with the withdrawal symptoms, many people start to think they can't survive without it. Im not claiming some conspiracy, but the current strategy isn't the best for patients, that's for sure.

imperio59 7y ago
Don't be so sure. These companies have hidden the addictiveness and side effects of these pills for years: https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/501215 https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/501215 In fact, using anti-depressants is more likely to make you relapse after you are off of them, rather than if you got over the depression without drugs: https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/110056 https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/110056 There is definitely an interest from these companies to have people be on these drugs pretty much indefinitely. They have a host of side effects which the companies will also benefit from treating (obesity, sexual dysfunction, liver damage, etc...). It's pretty clear from what's coming out of the opioid trials that these companies conspire on a regular basis to do what's right for their bottom line, not what's right for people...
xyzzy_plugh 7y ago
It's amazing how often folks forget that pharmacists are licensed professionals trained in the algebra of medication -- even doctors neglect this. I recently had a doctor tell me he could only write a prescription for a daily dose of either 15mg or 50mg doses without realizing that one could theoretically take two 15mg doses a day. (He probably did realize this, but it would be significantly more paper work). Compounding pharmacies are able to remix manufactured dosages into what you desire. I know folks who, with the assistance of their doctor, crafted finely tuned taper schedules. You bring the drugs, they remix to your prescription. Yes, cutting pills works for some formats (tablets). Liquid suspension can somewhat be done yourself if you have suitable input medication and buy a mortar and pestle. It's of course harder with capsules or extended-release formats, but rarely are those the _only_ format a drug is available in.
ekianjo 7y ago
> companies are required to make any lower doses to help people "taper off" pharmacists are trained, allowed and encouraged to prepare different doses of drugs when needed for the specific needs of their individual patients. Not sure why you expect pharma companies to take on their role here.
- Akinato 7y ago
  Evidentially these often aren't covered under insurance plans. Maybe the med I was on was just particularly difficult, but it was going to cost me quite a bit of money to do the liquid suspension. I don't expect pharma companies to take any role, as I understand their position. I was hoping that I had made that clear. I simply believe it as a current short fall of the system. I don't attribute any blame, it's just something that could possibly be improved. Honestly, the change would likely have to be more on an insurance / governmental level. It shouldn't be an ordeal to get a lower dose -- it should be just as easy and cost-effective as the original medication.

imperio59 7y ago

Don't be so sure. These companies have hidden the addictiveness and side effects of these pills for years: https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/501215 https://www.karger.com/Article/Pdf/501215 In fact, using anti-depressants is more likely to make you relapse after you are off of them, rather than if you got over the depression without drugs: https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/110056 https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/110056 There is definitely an interest from these companies to have people be on these drugs pretty much indefinitely. They have a host of side effects which the companies will also benefit from treating (obesity, sexual dysfunction, liver damage, etc...). It's pretty clear from what's coming out of the opioid trials that these companies conspire on a regular basis to do what's right for their bottom line, not what's right for people...

xyzzy_plugh 7y ago

It's amazing how often folks forget that pharmacists are licensed professionals trained in the algebra of medication -- even doctors neglect this. I recently had a doctor tell me he could only write a prescription for a daily dose of either 15mg or 50mg doses without realizing that one could theoretically take two 15mg doses a day. (He probably did realize this, but it would be significantly more paper work). Compounding pharmacies are able to remix manufactured dosages into what you desire. I know folks who, with the assistance of their doctor, crafted finely tuned taper schedules. You bring the drugs, they remix to your prescription. Yes, cutting pills works for some formats (tablets). Liquid suspension can somewhat be done yourself if you have suitable input medication and buy a mortar and pestle. It's of course harder with capsules or extended-release formats, but rarely are those the _only_ format a drug is available in.

ekianjo 7y ago

> companies are required to make any lower doses to help people "taper off" pharmacists are trained, allowed and encouraged to prepare different doses of drugs when needed for the specific needs of their individual patients. Not sure why you expect pharma companies to take on their role here.

Akinato 7y ago
Evidentially these often aren't covered under insurance plans. Maybe the med I was on was just particularly difficult, but it was going to cost me quite a bit of money to do the liquid suspension. I don't expect pharma companies to take any role, as I understand their position. I was hoping that I had made that clear. I simply believe it as a current short fall of the system. I don't attribute any blame, it's just something that could possibly be improved. Honestly, the change would likely have to be more on an insurance / governmental level. It shouldn't be an ordeal to get a lower dose -- it should be just as easy and cost-effective as the original medication.