Oh happy day. We will soon be getting a "one size fits all" pill called a polypill. One that contains five medicines, a beta blocker, an ace inhibitor, a diuretic, a statin and aspirin.

Forget the fact that one person's need for different amounts of one of these medicines may differ from that of another person, you are all going to get the same amounts. I say you are all going to get the same amount because old Smitty is not going to take that thing.

I don't care how many trials they have run. I'm sure it has possibilities for simplifying the doctor's work, but I also see it as a good way to increase the business of the undertaker.

One of the reasons I will not take the medicine Plavix is because it comes in only one size. The other reason is I have a dandy rash when I take Plavix. But all Plavix pills are 75 mg.

Now my wife weighs about half as much as I do, yet if we both took Plavix we would be getting the same amount of active ingredient. My theory is that if I'm getting the correct amount to achieve whatever it is supposed to do she will be getting twice as much as she needs. At the worst that could be detrimental to her health, and at the least she will be paying twice as much for a treatment as she should have to pay. Nope, I want the amount of a particular medicine I take to be what is thought to be the amount I need, not more and not less. Then if that dosage is not best for me, it can be changed without having to vary the amounts of any of the other medicines I take.

My soap box will now be put away.

Smitty

 

 

Smitty, I saw that on CNN last night and thought the same thing. Thank goodness I'm not on any heart meds...yet.

I have gone as far as taking a pill (that comes in capsule form) and turning it until it opens and took some of the powder (medicine) out and then put the capsule back together!!

My doctors had a good laugh over that, but the dose they gave me was way too high and wasn't available in the lower dose. So, I became inventive. Whatever works!!!!!!!!!

Pookie

 

Smitty, this new pill will be fraught with problems for patients...how will you know which ingredient in it may cause you side effects? Yikes....

Oh what drug companies will do to make more money and watch the ads that this is the pill for all!

And watch Doctors starting to push it....

Magster

 

This new pill has got to be a joke. It would be laughable if it wasn't so dangerous. Imagine everyone getting the same dose regardless of their medical needs. It is being developed in India.by Indian doctors. Does that tell you anything?

 

There is one very important advantage for the combo pill. The individual meds have their patents running out and the new one qualifies for a new patents. The drug company reps now convince the doc to prescribe the new one and wa la $$$$$

frank

 

From what I have read, this polypill is low dose, designed for people who don't have heart problems. It is supposed to be preventive, like taking asprin once a day, or vitamins. Apparently no big pharmas are involved because they can't see a big profit in it.