Sunday, April 20, 2008

List of Side Effects Wholly Unnerving

Muncie, IN- “I was watching ‘American Idol’ and this commercial came on,” explained Louis Wilson, a 34 year old bricklayer. “The commercial was all like, ‘Millions of people have problems with seasonal allergies’ and I thought, ‘I did not know that.”

Wilson described a harrowing experience involving a commercial for a new allergy drug. Allegedly, the commercial offered him hope; it also had a list of side effects which made him uneasy.

“The commercial said that it could help me and that I should consult my doctor. I thought, ‘perhaps I should ask my doctor about that particular medication for my moderate to severe seasonal allergies,” continued Wilson. “Just when I was about to call my doctor, they started to list the side effects.”

The drug in question, Freecerta, is a medication prescribed for moderate to severe seasonal allergies. The drug’s manufacturer states that it was nearly twice as effective as a placebo in clinical trials. Side effects listed in the television commercial included, but were not limited to dry mouth, fatigue, increased blood pressure, loss of libido, nausea, vomiting, stroke, urinary incontinence, vertigo, oneness with the universe, and increased appetite. A small percentage of people using the drug have reported a distinct feeling of death.

Wilson reported being particularly concerned with the “oneness with the universe” side effect as he is Catholic, and “those kinds of things aren’t looked upon too kindly by the church.”

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