Patient Information Leaflets

[genie123]

When you are prescribed a medication the instruction on the label reminds you to read the patient Information Leaflet. These can be most alarming. I have just been prescribed a statin and in the leaflet under warnings and precautions if lists if you have an underactive thyroid, which I do and have been taking thyroxine for years. Do I just ignore this precaution and assume that my doctor has prescribed this in the knowledge that I have this problem and therefore its ok, or should I check further if its ok for me to take the statin prescribed. In general how long does it take for any portential side effect to appear?

[Mamyalynne]

If in doubt try to contact the Surgery or at the very least the Pharmacist for advice.

[jakep]

Check with GP. I was once given an HRT and the instructions said it was not to be used post hysterectomy, which I was.
GP admitted it was an error and changed it. To be fair they can’t be expected to know every detail of contraindications.

[Sqad]

The very first thing that I do when opening a new packet of tablets is to throw away the instruction leaflet.
I would advice everyone to do the same.

[AuntPollyGrey]

Like the warnings on zopiclone 'This product make cause drowsiness' lol!

[rowanwitch]

Trouble is side effects are listed even if it is one proven case, given how many people can be on a medication .... I only worry about the common side effects but if concerned I would ask the pharmacist. If they have reason to think it would not be safe they should raise the issue with the GP.

[Vagus]

In these days of computerised GPs and prescriptions, doesn’t it flag up to the GP if there’s a problem with two medications on a patients prescription when the prescription is being typed?
I’d have thought it would...

[ludwigvan]

Please don’t overestimate your GP’s knowledge of drug interactions. I have been Misprescribed (is that a word) several times and now and I do as mamyalynne suggests and check with the pharmacist at our local Hospital before I take anything new.

[gness]

When I arrived in Ireland my new GP was surprised that I had recently been prescribed, in the UK, two drugs that should never be taken together.
When I took the prescription for a new replacement drug the pharmacist told me to take them for at least a week before looking at the information leaflet.... :-)

[Hazlinny]

Whenever I mention this to GP, he just tells me to ignore the words printed on the prescripton leaflet!! He says the makers have to cover every eventuality! I, too, take a fairly recently prescribed Statin and, like you, have taken Levothyroxine for years. More recently I was prescribed a diuretic and the leaflet states to tell the doctor if you are taking Ramipril (which I am) but he just did not comment and neither did the Advanced Specialist Nurse to whom I pointed this out. I have to say I do wonder why all these statements are printed on prescription leaflets - surely they must contain some degree of truth?

[genie123]

Thanks everyone for your comments. Hazlinny you and I seem to be on the same meds except for the diuretic and like you I wonder why they bother to prepare these leaflets unless its so that if something goes amiss they can say well we did warn you. Who is supposed to take notice if not the patient.

[brainiac]

These leaflets seem to cover just about every possible side effect: 'may cause drowsiness/insomnia, diarrhoea/constipation' etc etc. I'd ask your GP.

[Peter Pedant]

oh because if they dont
they get screwed in court when things go wrong

ditto sqad - you arent the first person the GO has prescribed the drug to

[emmie]

i read through the list of side effects on one med, and the last line said may cause death,

[waterboatman]

If your doctor knows a bout the other conditions go ahead,

[chessington]

pharmacist know more about what drugs work with what, I would ask any pharmacist to be on the safe side. Im diabetic and not meant to have sudafed, my doctor in the past has prescribed it??????

[Peter Pedant]

a friend actually did research in whether patients understood patients info leaflets

you need a greater reading age 16 than you do to read the SUn 12.

and of course lots and lots of research on GPs Rxing and patients not taking the brew Rxd

[Peter Pedant]

I am amazed at the sheer numbers od Abers who go org to their GP and instead of saying - ya dee da to the GP

go off and put it on the internet - various sites - and expect a better answer. Ho hum
covid days

[1ozzy]

//od//

Two dd's PP