Mr. Cheeseburger 
I hate going to the doctors for a couple of reasons, the wait, although its been better and then filling out prescriptions. Well today I found out that about half of the doctors in the United States prescribe placebo to patients. This just makes my runs to the pharmacy that much more worthless. What if I take a medication that is supposed to help me but doesn’t, isn’t that undermining the doctor/patient trust? Should I be allowed to sue if I find out it was a placebo and my health becomes worse? Doctors should be prescribing the right type of medication or no medication at all. It doesn’t help a patient to spend extra time going out to the pharmacy only to get placebos or rigorously taking medications that is not its job. I don’t know the effects of placebo but I know they’re supposed to trick the patient into thinking they’re getting the real stuff, hoping that the problems go away. It’s done in trails all the time. That’s most of what I remember from psychology class, but it still irks me to know that this is what doctors are doing nowadays. Is deception really necessary?
What do you think? Do placebos work on people? Should you be able to sue if you get worse after taking a placebo?
Comments (11)
This is why you get a Chinese doctor, because they know their sh*t and they're not hesitant to prescribe you meds like many American doctors are.
Though, imagine someone trying to commit suicide by overdosing on placebo pills. Saves lives, doesn't it? (Very morbid humor, I know.)
Haha. I like anitmony's end of her comment. It's stupid that they do it, yes, but the mind is a strange thing. If you think you're taking something real, and you think it will work, in a lot of cases it does. But. . .if it makes your condition worse, that's a HUGE problem. Definitely not something that should be okay. I would definitely be suing then.
I wonder what happens if someone OD's on placebos..
uh, placebo's are mostly "fake" drugs. They technically should have no affect on your body.
The reason why doctor's prescribe placebo's in the first place is because sometimes people feel like they really do need meds to overcome some sickness or disease (when it's just really...mostly in their heads). Therefore, they give patients placebo's so that the patients "believe" they are getting better.
Mostly just a psych thing.
I think the only people they would help are hypochondriacs.
the placebo effect is so strong that it can actually outperform real drugs sometimes on normal everyday people. belief alone can sometimes make you better... and many people feel the doctors aren't paying proper attention if they don't get a medication. there's reasons why doctors will prescribe placebos to patients, it's not just some power trip for doctors to trick their patients.
I wish they could market a placebo; in depression, for example, it's nearly as effective with none of the side effects. Also, I think that if a medication isn't working, the patient should go back to the doctor and get another prescription. So, I don't have a problem with just trying if it will be less expensive in money and/or side effects.
i think placebos are fine. of course, I dont take medications other than ibuprofen or if I get my wisdom teeth out so I dont have to worry. i think some stuff is made up in some people's heads
I have been wondering what this amazing placebo that they prescribe is... a placebo doesnt have any medicine in it. It wouldnt be a prescription without any medicine in it!
So unless you are running to the pharmacy for something over the counter or they give you something in the office...
I have been hearing about this alot lately. Over prescribing of some drugs happens... but that isnt the same as a placebo!
@SeitekiChibiNeko@xanga - AGREED!
there have been hundreds of studies done on placebos, and often, they have similar or equal results to actual medications.
the idea is that a doctor would not prescribe you placebos in the first place unless you had a very minor medical condition. a certified doctor is not going to give you placebo sugar pills to treat your cancer, heart disease, or tuberculosis. however, if you have a cold, headaches, mild arthritic body pain, or you are just a hypochondriac, placebos may be prescribed to give the same positive psychological effect of taking medication, but without risking negative side effects that sometimes come along with medications.
they are a very effective method of treating minor maladies.
Personally, I'd rather get placebos than anything else. I think it can work, and no scary side effects! But I don't care much for being fooled.