e-Patients Discover Unrecognized Side Effects

June 25, 2009 · Filed Under e-patient stories, general, patient networks, pts as teachers, trends & principles · 5 Comments

Detecting drug complications is too important to leave to doctors or FDA administrators. We have learned the hard way that randomized controlled trials (RCTs) don’t detect all the adverse drug effects that may be important. Far too often, serious side effects brought on by popular drugs can go unrecognized for years.

A recent review in the Annals of Internal Medicine (June 16, 2009) reveals that statin-related muscle problems are far more common than most RCTs report. The connection between acid-suppressing drugs and fractures also went undetected until many years after the drugs were taken by millions. And it took the FDA years to recognize that severe bone, joint and muscle pain was linked to drugs for osteoporosis (Actonel, Boniva, Fosamax, Reclast). Read more

Tags: Actonel, Adverse Effect, Ama Assn, Ama Assn Org, Annals Of Internal Medicine, Archives Of Internal Medicine, Bisphosphonates, Boniva, Clinicians, Drug Effects, Drug Side Effects, e-patients, Early Warning System, Fosamax, Muscle And Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Muscle Problems, Osteoporosis Actonel, Osteoporosis Drugs, Patient Experience, Patient Survey, Prescription Drugs, Randomized Controlled Trials, Reclast, Statins