Re: OTC BCP's?
From: AMD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 30 Jun 2000 14:51:00 -0500 (CDT)
Robin,
I totally agree that some people can have very serious reactions to
BCP's(or any other drug). It's our job to read the label and figure out
if any of those conditions apply to us. You've had blood clots, so if
you read the instructions you'll know you're not supposed to take them.
And it's the FDA's job to weigh the risks for a small group of people
against the benefits for many. Should thousands of women have to go
through a doctor for BCP's and pay more for them to protect you from
taking BCP's that could be dangerous for you?
I guess my point was there are other OTC meds that are dangerous to some
people, but we accept that risk as part of being responsible adults.
Heck, diet pepsi is dangerous to someone with PKU. Does anyone check
their blood pressure before they buy a box of sudafed? Or verify that
they don't have diabetes or glaucoma? No.
I'm sure there are thousands of people every year who buy OTC drugs when
they unknowingly have a condition that would normally contraindicate the
drug. I'm sure there are a few people every year who have strokes
because they took sudafed without knowing they had high blood pressure.
Or took it knowing they had HBP and figured it wasn't that big of a
risk.
I'd be curious to know what percentage of patients requesting BCP's are
turned down by their doctors because of their individual medical risks?
How often is there no way the patient would have realized there was a
potential problem?
I don't know if it would be in the best interest of patients to buy
BCP's off the shelf. But I do think it is good to see the FDA
attempting to review the appropriateness of "by prescription only" for
this and other drugs, instead of waiting for the drug companies to apply
for OTC status.
Andrea
At Fri, 30 Jun 2000, Robin wrote:
>
>At Fri, 30 Jun 2000, AMD wrote:
>>
>>Maybe they can be "sorta" OTC. They are behind the pharmacy counter and
>>you need a photo id. If you're < 15 or > 35, you need a prescription.
>
>Hi Andrea,
>
>That is a good thought that if you are younger than 15 or older than 35,
>you would need an Rx, but what about those that have problems that would
>restrict the use of the pill in those within that age category, yet they
>wanted the pill and still got it? Unfortunately, there are young women
>that have had strokes in their 20's, so they should not take OCP's. I
>had blood clots last year (Age 33), which means I can not take the
>OCP's.
>
>I personally think there are too many variables here, and while many
>would like to have the OCP's OTC, too many people are at risk of having
>problems, and it just isn't worth it.
>
>>Of course, how many women would NEVER go for a pap/pelvic if they didn't
>>want BCP's?? On the other hand, how often does the pelvic or pap give
>>reason to not prescribe BCP's? Or can most of the potential problems be
>>assessed on history and a less invasive exam? Is there a legitimate
>>medical reason to require a pelvic/breast/pap to prescribe birth control
>>pills?
>
>I know a woman that was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25.
>The lump was found on exam....good reason for having a breast exam (even
>though they say most breast lumps are found by the woman). If I am not
>mistaken (and Drs. please correct me if I am wrong), reproductive
>cancers also do not allow for a woman to be on OCP's. While they may
>not be a common finding in young women, they still exist.
>
>I just think one could be playing russian roulette with their lives if
>OCP's were OTC.
>
>Another thought too....drugs that have gone from being an Rx to being
>OTC sometimes don't have the same amount of active ingredient in them
>once they become OTC. I wouldn't want to take an OCP that could
>potentially cause the one thing that I am trying to avoid (I know that
>there is still a chance of pregnancy now, but that risk is minimal,
>maybe 1%). If they reduce the amount of active ingredient that is in
>the OCP, I would think that the pregnancy rate would be even higher.
>
>Okay.....just my .02.....I will close now.
>
>--
>Robin
>
>>Just food for thought...
>>
>>Andrea
>>
>>At Fri, 30 Jun 2000, R. Daniel Braun, MD wrote:
>>>
>>>At Fri, 30 Jun 2000, Kristy wrote:
>>>>
>>>>How true, but of course it's been quite a long time since I've ever looked at the prices of OTC yeast creams like Monistat. Thanks for the insight!! How safe would it be to have Oral Contraceptives be sold as OTC in the near future?
>>>>
>>>>Kristy :)
>>>
>>>That is very dificult to know. That is why it is taking the FDA so long
>>>to make a decision. Whichever way they go, someone will get hurt.
>>>
>>>RDB
>>>
>>>--
>>>R.Daniel Braun, MD FACOG FOG
>>>
>>>**Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purposes only
>>>and, as such, do not constitute a physician-patient relationship.
>>>This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to
>>>consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options
>>>and/or interventions.
>>>
>>>**Private emails cannot be entertained due to time constraints,
>>>consequently no private emails will receive a response.
>>>
>>>**Thank you for your understanding ;-)
>>>
>>>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>
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