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The Effect of Forewarning on the Occurrence of Side-effects and Discontinuance of Medication in Patients on Amitriptyline

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

E. D. Myers
Affiliation:
North Staffordshire Hospital Group, St. Edward's Hospital, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffs., ST13 7EB
E. J. Calvert
Affiliation:
Cranage Hospital, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire (Now at Stockport and Buxton Hospital Group.)

Extract

It is generally accepted that psychological factors are of importance in determining the effects of drugs—beneficial or adverse (Green, 1964; Wilson, 1966; Boszormenyi, 1969). Placebo studies have suggested that one such psychological factor may be prior knowledge of side-effects (Wolf, 1950; M.R.C., 1950; Coleman, 1969). In a controlled trial of amitriptyline in general practice (Blashki et al., 1971) the patients were asked to record their experience of side-effects on a prepared list, and it was thought that this might have ‘involved the risk of suggesting side-effects to the patients'. In a controlled trial of Imipramine in general practice (Porter, 1970) the data suggested that side-effects were an important cause for patients abandoning treatment. Doctors may be chary of detailing side-effects, thinking that imparting such knowledge to patients may in a proportion of them induce the side-effects to appear and lead to discontinuance of therapy.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1973 

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