From my pharmaceutical studies, I'm beginning to realize that Americans are crazy. Seriously, there's something going on in our heads. Of the top selling drugs in 2007, 3 out of the top 10 are anti-depressants or anti-psychotics. The anti-depressants didn't surprise me that much, if you'd ask me to guess the top 10, I'd guess Cholesterol meds, allergy meds, heart meds, stomach/ibs meds, anti-depressants, and maybe a diabetes med. The anti-psychotic was an unpleasant surprise. Four of the top 25 selling medications are anti-psychotics.
Although, on the other hand, that says that people who seriously need help are getting it. I doubt there are too many people out there who see an ad for an anti-psychotic and go ask their doctor, even if they have no symptoms. I would imagine there's a small percentage of people who take anti-depressants, cholesterol meds, allergy meds, stomach/ibs meds, pain meds, etc. who may not really need medication. Maybe they really need the anti-psychotic meds!
In case anyone's interested, the top ten were:
1. Lipitor (cholesterol reducer)
2. Nexium (for heartburn)
3. Adviar (asthma)
4. Prevacid (stomach/heartburn)
5. Plavix (stops blood clots)
6. Singulair (allergy/asthma)
7. Seroquel (anti-psychotic)
8. Effexor (anti-depressant)
9. Lexapro (anti-depressant)
10. Actos (diabetes med)
(from drugs.com)
Another surprise, Viagra was number 48. I'd expected it to be higher, but I guess it has stiff competition from Cialis!!
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My name is Dennis Norman and i would like to show you my personal experience with Effexor.
I am 42 years old. Have been on Effexor for at least 4 years now. Many medline sources, (NE J Med, etc.), cite doses of at least 225mg or over are required In summary, the citations clearly indicate that at 225mg, the medication finally BEGINS to elevate dopamine levels (as well as elevations in SE and NE). However, it is only when dopamine if finally stimulated that the ultimate therapeutic effect begins Thus, patients require dosing of 225mg or above for ultimate therapeutic effect. At 450mg, I have no side effects; nor do I experience side effects if I miss a couple days; no side effects if I only take only 1 or 2 pills a day rather than 3 for a period of a week or so..
I have experienced some of these side effects-
sweating, gained weight, headache
I hope this information will be useful to others,
Dennis Norman
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