Television Ads for Medicine

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

Does anyone else really really hate commercials for medications? Maybe it's a sign that I'm watching shows for "old people" or something, but I feel as if that's all that's on anymore. (I clearly remember all of the commercials on TV being about breakfast cereal, so maybe I aged when I wasn't paying attention.)

Especially (heaven help us) commercials concerning, uh..."performance."

Thank you, Jimmy Johnson, for telling me that you require ExtenZe to pleasure Rhonda. I can now die happy knowing that.

I also don't like commercials about health problems in general. For example, if I had issues with digestion, I wouldn't go to Jamie Lee Curtis about it.

And the PedEgg informercial makes me vom.

Maybe I need a nap...or a TiVo!

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I'd go with the TiVo or a cable company DVR. Makes life so much nicer. I've gotten so used to fast-forwarding through commercials that live TV is now painful.

As for the medication commercials, it's only going to get worse as the baby boomers age. What cracks me up is the list of side effects. I realize that they have to disclose worst case possibilities, but yowza!

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Specializes in Health Information Management.

The drug ads are awful, and they're everywhere - I even see them sometimes when I'm watching stuff like [adult swim], which is targeted primarily at the 18-34 demographic!

My personal favorites have to be the "Did you ever take [insert name of medication here]? Then call us and we'll help you sue!" ads, though. They are legion.

I thank heaven for my DVR, because otherwise I'd have sent some really rude letters to Jamie Lee Curtis et al. by now.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

"I want the Purple Pill called...." Yes I, too, abhor them. The only ads I hate worse are the ones mentioned for ambulance-chasing lawyers. DVRs are my saving grace. UGH

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

Maybe I need a nap...or a TiVo!

You definitely need a Tivo. My household has a Tivo AND a DVR. We rarely

watch anything live.

With the funky hours that nurses work, a Tivo is almost a must have item!

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.

Sadly neither a TiVo nor a DVR is an option for me now because of my living situation. Just another reason to get my own place, I suppose! :)

And don't forget the NuvaRing girls...

MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFridaySaturdaySundayEveryday....

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Specializes in Assisted Living nursing, LTC/SNF nursing.

You know, I've been thinking about those dern commercials also, seems like some should be illegal. And some don't even tell you what the drug is for, just go ask your Dr. about it. And don't get me started on those ambulance chaser commercials :mad:

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Specializes in Acute rehab, LTC, Community Health.

Ick, the Nuva ring and other birth control commercials are the worst! I don't know who the hell gets so excited about their frickin birth control!

...and I agree don't get me started about those lawyers! I just don't understand how they even find a case, since the drug side effects are always disclosed. I saw a new one for Reglan causing TD...I didn't think that was anything new...Ick.

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Specializes in RN, BSN, CHDN.

The side effects are worse than the illness it'self!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah I know the ad's for sanitary protection have been around for ever but I wanna meet the female who bounces around like those girls so happy to be wearing next to no protection!!!

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Specializes in Home Health Care.

:chair: I actually like the med comercials, it helps me to remember/recall them for side effects, usage.

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SO many ads, allllllll the time. I was just at the doctors office and in one commerical block, 5 out of 7 ads were for meds. The side effect list takes up the majority of the screen time, but I agree is a unique opportunity for nurses to brush up on med side effects! Great perspective!

But what really irks me is who doesn't feel sad sometimes, often has trouble sleeping, can't shut off their mind at night, or after mid-life has trouble "getting it up"! :D My gram used a hot bath and lavender to calm down after a long day...she didn't pop a pill and we don't have to either. I, for one, am not buying what all the drug companies are selling. We are overloaded with drugs...and not the natural kind. :smokin: (I just discovered the little smileys - when else will I get to use the smoking one?!)

And has anyone noticed how "cool" the ads are becoming? Like what the heck is "Yaz" birth control? I'm from western PA :redbeathe and I can imagine hearing..."Yunz guyz member ter take yur Yaz today?" Can't we just take the darn "pill"?

I don't even have cable (by choice) and have recently seen an ad for "U by Kotex" tampons that is "too cool for school." Their tag line is "Later dullsville. Hello different." Really? Does anyone really think tampons should be exciting? Do we really need them to be "different"? I don't recall the last time I said to myself, "Wow Nic...I sure wish my tampon was a little...different." My period isn't "cool" so I don't need my sanitation devices to be most popular kid in class, I just them to work appropriately, thank you!!

In all seriousness, this recent article talks with an author who is studying the correlation between the rise in mental disorders in relation to the rise in prescription drugs used to treat them. It's well worth a read, possibly during those med ads for those who don't have TiVo! http://www.chelseagreen.com/content/the-astonishing-rise-of-mental-illness-in-america/

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