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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  and
E. J. Calvert
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.)
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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
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 122 , Issue 569 , April 1973 , pp. 461 - 464
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1973 

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