Drug marketing is thriving and most companies are willing to shell out large amounts of money to reach consumers, for real or perceived problems. However, the advertisements often leave out their adverse side effects and contraindications. Zocor is a lipid-lowering prescription drug used to reduce the risk of developing a heart problem for those at risk (Simvastatin, 2019). The drug’s advertisement promises to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke for people with heart disease irrespective of their cholesterol level. The advertisement does highlight some adverse effects that may arise, although the patients in the advertisement do not seem to have any noticeable side effects from the use of the medication. The concerns raised in the advertisement for side effects are specific to expectant women and people with liver problems.
The information presented by the advertisement might, however, be misleading to a patient who has not read or understood all the potential side effects of the drug. The drug carries some undesirable reactions, including diabetes and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome. The whole array of reactions, which Epocrates lists under ‘common reactions’ that may discourage a consumer from purchasing the product are left out of the advertisement (Epocrates Online, 2019). The advertisement fails to detail this information and it avoids conveying this to its consumers. This information may prove helpful in my role as a nurse since I would have to relay this information to consumers who would be ignorant and might suffer more rather than relieve themselves of pain. Furthermore, I would be able to properly advise patients on the treatment alternatives based on demographic factors like age, race, or lifestyle habits which may make the drug harmful to them.
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References
Epocrates Online. (2019).Excedrin Migraine Drug Interactions. Retrieved 7 September 2019, from https://online.epocrates.com/drugs/otcs/620404/Excedrin-Migraine/Drug-Interactions
Simvastatin. (2019). Zocor Commercial. Retrieved 9 September 2019, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flLCEevMYU4
