Is it just me that is completely perplexed – nay, SHOCKED even, at the stupidity of prescription drug marketing?
Maybe they’re meant to be comedy routines, because they ARE entertaining. They are all starting to seem like Saturday Night Live Spoofs of themselves.
First of all, let’s start with my least favorite commercial ever ever ever on the face of the planet. If I can’t fast forward through it thanks to the help of DVR, then I almost have to leave the room.
That’s right: Cymbalta’s uber-depressing and overplayed commercial. Cue the sad music, cue the sad pictures of sad people. . . “Where does depression hurt? Depression hurts. . .everywhere. Who does depression hurt? Depression hurts. . .everyone.”
I’m pretty sure that their marketing strategy is to depress us ALL into needing their anti-depressants, and it very nearly works. I have been depressed before, and it is NOT fun. The last thing I want to do is re-live it every time I turn on the TV!!
Then, let’s talk about Advair. The new, amazing, breakthrough Asthma Drug!!! According to their commercials, anyway. Until you get to then end, where it tells you that it might cause ASTHMA RELATED DEATH!!!
Yes, let’s take a drug to treat my Asthma that might cause me to die from my Asthma. . . oh well, if I’m dead, I bet I won’t have Asthma anymore!! It works!!! Hallelujah!!
Then of course there are the drugs like Flomax, to help you if you have a weak urine flow. Or the drugs for wiggly legs.
I’m sure that Restless Legs Syndrome really is an annoying ailment, but I’m just sayin’ – do you really want to take something to make your legs quit wiggling that might cause death?
But the one that really pushed me over the edge, the one that finally made me blog about this blight of our culture, was a new commercial that we saw last night.
Latisse.
Oh, this is a good one.
It is a prescription drug to help you have thicker eyelashes.
You know, because it is life-crippling to have thin eyelashes.
But be careful: side effects may include eyelash-related death.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
We were watching a commercial for that drug that only has you having like 3 periods a year. Forget what it's called. I was thinking how convenient that would be until it got to the end and started listing all the possible side effects. Blood clots, depression, headaches, vision problems, etc. I was like, OK nevermind!
Yes. There are some of those drug commercials out there.
But, just as an FYI, my dad sells Advair.
Trina – Thanks for the reminder – Seasonique is another great one. SNL DID do a spoof of it – called Annuale – that is hilarious – http://www.hulu.com/watch/10234/saturday-night-live-annuale
Giann – I'm sure the drug itself is good – it's not one of the silly ones like the eyelash one for sure. They just need to explain their side effects better on the commercial!
I haven't seen that eyelash one. That's outrageous.
And yes, I do admit that I keep a blanket to throw over my head and my thumb at the ready when that Cymbalta commercial airs. Talk about a downer.
I agree the commercials make you wonder if the illness isn't somehow better than the side effects of the drugs. I have seen the eyelash one with Brooke Sheilds and thought it was ridiculous. Who cares if you have thin eyelashes.
I can't remember which one it is, but there's one commercial that mentions that users experienced an increase in "suicidal thoughts." Well, that makes the ailment seem not so bad, eh? Sheesh!
My latest favorite commercial to hate is that wind up doll ad for an anti-depressant. The doll goes from sad to happy and looks freakishly like the actress. It's just creepy!
As for Latisse, it's called mascara people!! It's a lot cheaper and there aren't any crazy side effects, like change in eye color.
In response to Trina, I've taken that before and you have to take it for over a year and then you MIGHT stop having periods each month. Needless to say, I didn't make it a year, I had a period every month!
There are some pretty annoying commercials out there, that's for sure. But keep in mind, all medicine comes with severe warnings, even birth control pills.
As for the Restless leg syndrome. Believe me, there are days I'd comtemplate death in order for some relief. And it's not just at night, when you're trying to sleep & legs won't cooperate. It's any time you're still. It was horrible in the car ride to FL 2 weeks ago.
I have never heard of the eyelash one. We are such a bunch of spoiled rotten stinkin people.
how about the one for social anxiety disorder…okay, you're scared to go in public, but take this drug and your anxiety MAY be alleviated BUT WAIT…side effects – runny stool!!! bad breath, dry mouth, sweats and so forth. do you really want to go in public with all that!!!
It is sad that society has gotten so insecure about their physical appearance that they need a drug to lengthen eyelashes.
I am always amazed at those commercials…they say the side effects really fast at the end b/c they are so horrible…much worse than whatever is ailing you! I think it's all a big scam anyway.
i saw that commercial the other day and thought how vain has our world become. the other one that cracks me up is one of those ED ones with the man and woman in old clawfoot tubs on a pier on a beach. i mean seriously where would you find a beach with clawfoot tubs?
I don't like those commercials either. I agree that the cymbalta one makes you feel depressed while watching it. Do they really have a prescription for eyelash thickness? That's too crazy.
Wow, I had never ready your post from before: "My Answer is Still 'no time soon'", but I'm so glad I did! It made me feel better about what I'm going through, because I can totally relate to you back then!! That was actually encouraging for me to know that I'm not the only one who has not had a totally smooth transition, so thanks for that. We should talk about it more in detail sometime!
Wow, I had never ready your post from before: "My Answer is Still 'no time soon'", but I'm so glad I did! It made me feel better about what I'm going through, because I can totally relate to you back then!! That was actually encouraging for me to know that I'm not the only one who has not had a totally smooth transition, so thanks for that. We should talk about it more in detail sometime!
Wow, I had never ready your post from before: "My Answer is Still 'no time soon'", but I'm so glad I did! It made me feel better about what I'm going through, because I can totally relate to you back then!! That was actually encouraging for me to know that I'm not the only one who has not had a totally smooth transition, so thanks for that. We should talk about it more in detail sometime!
How in the world can a drug give you thicker eyelashes?! That's crazy!
LOL Too funny. Those commercials drive me crazy too. The Restless Leg Sydrome drug ad Requip makes me want to get up and walk around for some reason. lol
I was just thinking about the drug for fibromyalgia and all of its side effects. I mean…what's worse – the illness of the side effects from the drugs?
Long time lurker, thought I would say hello! I really dont post much but thanks for the good times I have here. Love this place..