Wednesday's Word

[DonnaBoll]

placebo

This refers to a 'dummy' drug given to a group of patients who are participating in a clinical trial. Their appearance is exactly the same as the actual drug being tested. It had been thought that using a placebo was needed to see if the actual drug made an improvement for the patient - and not from any additional care given by the physician or the patient's overall positive attitude.

There has been a campaign in recent years to end the use of a placebo. It is felt when a patient is seriously ill from being a non responder to the first - and often second line of therapy - they do not have that 6 months to several years' time to waste on possibly taking a placebo as part of the clinical trial. That precious time for the patient is 'lost' so to speak especially if they are receiving the placebo when they could be taking the actual drug. I'm sure we have not heard the end of this endeavor.

[LindaVillanova]

From personal experience my Dr did mention a trial to me at one point, but my thoughts were the same as you’ve expressed- if I got the placebo the disease would no doubt march on and the point is to stop or slow it down before there is more damage. Personally selfish, hell ya. God bless those that engage in trials, but I want to live as long as possible for my family and taking a chance I don’t have to is not something I would do.

[DonnaBoll Administrator in reply to LindaVillanova]

I totally agree with you... sometimes how things have been done in the past regarding trials need to change for what might be in the best interest of the patients. A lot of damage can be done, as you said, waiting sometimes for literally years for the trial to end.