"Lifestyle Drug" Advertisements

Dr.Knuckles · 04-30-2008, 12:38 PM

is anyone else noticing these things by the dozen.

TV and print ads for medication which, either by design or to avoid breaking the law, make no mention whatsoever of what the drug is supposed ot treat. They just show happy people playing badminton or walking the dog, kissing their mates and relaxing by the fire... and then tell you to ask your doctor if you should take their medication.

I find that they have a lot in common.

A) Neutral or feminine names. Nothing like Bechobendadrill, or Xylophil... it's more like "Allesse" or "Cynthia". Brands - not medical names.

B) Young minority women as spokespeople. maybe this is just because I'm seeing the Vancovuer ads, but it's almost always Chinese or East Indian college age students in the ads.

C) No mention at all at what symptoms or disorder the drug treats

D) A list of side-affects that leave your mouth hanging open. "Do not take if you think you have been, are, or may be pregnant, may cause bleeding, heartburn, bruising, blindness, premature death, foaming at the crotch, insufferable gas, immense pain, fear of dogs"... and on and on and on.

E) Natural images of people froliking outdoors or sippping hot chocolate at a ski lodge.

F) Repitition of the brand name again and again and again to imrpint it into the mind. The branding is the most important part of the ad. There are always clear branding statements like "I'm an Allesse girl" cut to next teenager skiing, "I'm an Allesse girl too", cut to shiney healthy 17 year old cuddling with hot guy in swimsuit, "I'm also an Allesse girl. Ask your doctor what Allesse can do for you"

I see these most often on TV in prime time dramas and sitcoms, and print ads on transit. Again - probably the best ways to reach university aged women.

What the fuck is up with these drugs? What do they do? Do people really buy medication for the brand image?

Dr.Knuckles · 04-30-2008, 12:42 PM

I decided to check up the only brand name I could remember. Here's what I found. Allesse is actually Birth control pills - not mention of that in the advertisements.

Quote:

They include progestin and estrogen, most frequently used in oral contraceptives. Like others contraceptives, allesse has proven to be more than 99 percent effective when taken as directed.
There are some good sides and bad, also. Good first: they might provide protection form ovarian and endometrial and pelvic inflammatory disease. Usually woman’s periods are less painful (less cramps and increase of menstrual regularity).
Bad signs of allesse (and other oral contraceptives) are iron deficiency anemia, less frequent ectopic pregnancy. There are also some side effects, like nausea, headache, breast tenderness. There are also some more serious side effects, like blood clots, heart disease stroke, liver tumors and gallbladder disease, but they occur less frequent with women with steady health and non smokers.

Well OK, I answered my own question.... but are all these ads for birth control?

savannah · 04-30-2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Knuckles

I decided to check up the only brand name I could remember. Here's what I found. Allesse is actually Birth control pills - not mention of that in the advertisements.

Well OK, I answered my own question.... but are all these ads for birth control?

alot of the one's i've seen either go like this they are as you described, and are for birth control, or that HPV vacine (what they dont tell you is that alot of that is sexually transmited, so it would be cheaper to buy asprin and hold one between your knees while one dates,.....not that i do that myself,....but its what my grandpa always told me to do)

or the herpies ad,....i love the herpies ad,.....its all saburban and happy,....and very white

i feel like the allergey ads are more fem,....but i think thats because woman go to the doctor more then men,......or so i observe

oh and the viagria type commercials,........those are always fun,....

personally i think lifestype drug ads are silly,......i'm not gonna watlz into the doc's office and be like 'yo doc, i saw 'whatever' so maybe i can try that?'

Dr.Knuckles · 05-01-2008, 11:02 AM

Yeah! Which is exactly what the ads are telling people to do.

"Go ask your doctor what our drug does and ask him if you need it"

Don't people have jobs? I've needed a doctor all month (baby needs shots) and I just havent had the time to go. Who has time to just drop by and ask "is there any other drugs I should be buying?"

Blueneck · 05-04-2008, 08:28 AM

All I know is if a product works for the Flying Nun, I must have it.

Bowerbird · 05-04-2008, 08:37 PM

I think the more disturbing trend is that it is telling people that drugs (any drugs) can be a magic wand to feel better about yourself. How can you put these ads on TV and expect young kids not to do illegal drugs.

Talk about mixed messages

Blueneck · 05-06-2008, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bowerbird

I think the more disturbing trend is that it is telling people that drugs (any drugs) can be a magic wand to feel better about yourself. How can you put these ads on TV and expect young kids not to do illegal drugs.

Talk about mixed messages

Imagine their disappointment when they find out these drugs don't even work. Of course they will go looking for something stronger.

There should be a rule that if you are on a drug to elevate your mood you shouldn't have to have one of those "days of the week" pill dispensers to know whether or not you've had your dose that day.