Just Two Glaxo Drugs out of the 8? ..
Not surprised at that..
I am surprised that Paxil or Zyprexa wasn’t on the list though…
Both are killers..

The studies that MD’s used to Rx this medicine 10 years ago studied doses that were far smaller than those used in clinical practice.

Maybe you should try Oranase or another 1st generation Sulfonylurea’s so that if you get low blood sugar it will last for over 24 hours.

Beyond diet and exercise, if I was diagnosed today with Type 2, I’d consider the appropriate dose of insulin and skip all of the pills.

“I don’t generally think of Men’s Health as being an authoritative resource on much other than how to get cut abs in 8 weeks”

I’m sure few, if any, in health care think this…but they DO have a very broad and rather loyal readership and they WILL sway opinion, particularly in what I believe to be their key demographic, in this case I would say to the health detriment of their readership.

“It may have been a brave move for Men’s Health to publish this article, how much PhARMA ad revenue will they lose. Maybe Dr. Giorgianni can tell us if Pfizer is advertising Viagra there? If so, it is hard to see that going on much longer?”

I don’t think it brave at all - just a good read on the temperament of the public and what sort of material will drive non-subscribers to buy the magazine from the-rack. As to any ED-product ads, not sure if there are anymore in there, but if not I would be surprised. Again, the demographic, given the current “enhance your sexual experience” themes is what drives the ads buy decisions, not so much what the editorial is. If this logic prevailed in the ad-purchase and promotional response models there would hardly be any PhARMA or BIO ads in the likes of NEJM, JAMA or Lancet.

I think the pan of Advair (which should also have included Symbicort to be fair and balanced) was too simplistic, and gave information which is counter to what we know, and NHLBI asthma treatment guidelines for adults.

The accupuncture recommendation - while laughable - actually has at least one study which showed significant benefit for low back pain versus meds (can’t recall if it was NSAIDs or opiates). It doesn’t even have to be GOOD (classical Chinese) accupuncture. It seems that the prolonged interaction with a caregiver, and the BELIEF that it was effective generated nearly the same benefit as the classical Chinese approach, both accupuncture arms (classical and “random”) were at least as effective in pain relief as the meds.

J.I.M. I won’t wager a pen on the NSAID CV risk outcomes, but only because I buy my own. I’m thinking that the greater the difference between COX-1 and COX-2 toward the COX-2, the greater the risks will be see for CV events, but at the moment the jury is still out. With more than a dozen NSAID alternatives, not including acetaminophen and the oft-forgotten non-acetylated salicylates (the latter, for me would be the only agents I would use in bleeding/disordered clotting conditions), there are plenty of alternatives, and several approaches to avoid GI upset.

Too bad that the magazine didn’t take the opportunity to point out treatments which are uniquely beneficial. I’m thinking, inhaled steroids (alone) for most persistent asthma, saline irrigation and/or intranasal steroids for allergic rhinitis and nose problems, thiazide diuretics, and ACE inhibitors for CV risk reduction (throw in statins, aspirin, beta blockers, and maybe even ARBs too if you want - especially for the secondary prevention), CPAP for snoring, cognitive behavioral therapy with or without SSRIs for depression/anxiety, etc.

CMC Guy, I think you’ve got it right, and I’m probably one of those conservative MD types. Then again after my PhRMA experiences (and before medical school), I decided not to personally use any new medicines in the first two to three years after US marketing. If you think the PDR is bad, try reading (virtually)every word of Goodman and Gilman’s text. Katzung’s text is for those who only read the Cliff’s Notes.

It may have been a brave move for Men’s Health to publish this article, how much PhRMA ad revenue will they lose. Maybe Dr. Giorgianni can tell us if Pfizer is advertising Viagra there? If so, it is hard to see that going on much longer?

Therapeutics Initiative, which can be accessed on line, also has evidence-based assessments of many of the meds listed. They are based at the University of British Columbia.

And there are others, as Bob and others well know.

Wider point - Some will fault these organizations for one reason or another. But they provide an opportunity to hear what are clearly non-promotional assessments. From there, it’s up to each of us. (I personally take a couple of meds that PC says “don’t use.”)

The article is correct that the PDR should be classified as a sleeping aid.

Regardless of what drugs were recommended to avoid, I feel that the underlying concern is the more important issue. I’m stretching it I know but could this be a sign of the awakening of Mr.J.Q.Public?

Also, this is a lose form of “Consumer Reports for Drugs” which I personally would advocate. Let the consumer give a yea or nay (in a controlled manner, not by magazine)for the drugs/devices they use. Good drugs survive and the bad wither away.