The medications being advertised vary. Most common are medications for the following ailments: allergies, asthma, diabetes, obesity, depression, and anxiety. In addition, Zyban, which is used for helping people to quit smoking is commonly advertised. It is arguable that Zyban in itself is also an anti-depressant medication though; it is the same medication (only prescribed at a lower dosage) as Welbutrin, which is generally used for depression when SSRIs have failed. This article concerns the advertisement of psychotropic medications, and what possible effects this advertising may have on you as a consumer, or on the doctor who is treating you.
Most of the ads for psychotropic medications seem to be targeted towards women, which makes sense, considering more women suffer from mental illness than men. But a recent glance at Cosmopolitan magazine showed an ad for three different psychotropic medications, along with eight other ads varying from allergy medication to medication that helps control obesity. The three most common psychotropic medications advertised these days are Prozac, Paxil, and Buspar. The pharmaceutical companies that produce these drugs have taken advantage of new FDA Approvals. Paxil is the only FDA approved medication to treat Social Anxiety Disorder, a condition that was unheard of just a few short years ago. Now your television, newspaper, and favorite magazine is plastered with ads for Paxil. The magazine ads even have a 3 question survey that tells the consumer to cut it out and show to their doctor.
Is there something wrong with that? In a lot of aspects, no. For one thing, it's wonderful that these ads are raising mental health awareness. Seeing a commercial about social anxiety disorder succeeds at two very important things: It can clue in people who are in need of treatment, and it tells the rest of the audience that mental illness is not only common, but it's "ok", because here are these friendly commercials that identify the disorder and encourage treatment.
This is the age of a pill-popping culture. From advertising to your own doctor's advice; if something hurts, fix it with a pill. Got a headache? Take some aspirin. Wait, that's not right.... Got a headache? Take some Prozac. That's right, Prozac. From 1989 until the debut of Viagra, Prozac has been one of the most often prescribed drug. In fact, most doctors will agree that it has been over prescribed. It's been given out for headaches, PMS, and more. The FDA has approved Prozac to be used in treating mood disorders such as depression, not for headaches. Nor was it designed to treat the average "blues".
Go To Page: 1 2
