Several recently released/updated Patient Information Leaflets have the above text. Including *TM*.
How would you interpret *TM*?
Do you think it is a reasonable/sensible thing to put in a Patient Information Leaflet?
Thinking it utter nonsense, I have put in a complaint to the MHRA. But while awaiting their response and any action, thought I ask the very people who might actually read these PILs.
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helvella
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1. I'd worry myself silly about possible side effects
2. I'd get every side effect listed (all in my head of course)
But, the problem with anything slightly 'technical' or 'medical' is that the information included is written by people who usually know what they're talking about and so don't think about the layman who has no idea. They just assume that what they've written is easily understandable just because they understand it.
In this case I think that it definitely needs highlighting to the powers that be. Especially as it's a medication involved and could have serious consequences if someone misinterprets it.
I bloomin love them and read every last word. I especially like the side effects section and the stats. It doesn’t seem to provoke imagined ones in me I take the view that knowledge is power and it’s interesting for its own sake . The rest of my family throw them in the bin unread as like you, they don’t want to know!
I always read them, not so much because of the side effects but a) to check it is safe for me to take them given a fairly complex medical history and b) to check there are no interactions with any other medications I am taking. Side effects I don’t worry about so much unless things begin to go pear shaped for no apparent reason whilst on a new med.
I wonder if is an editing error - a left over placeholder (which is why it has the asterisks) from generating the patient info from the prescribing info, and someone forget to put in the specific drug name.
I suspect they had a whole library of predefined text - ranging from a word or two up to whole paragraphs.
And they type *TM* (or similar) meaning that they want the text called TM to be inserted at that point. But either they got the code wrong or failed to process it properly.
And I suspect it means "thyroid hormone medications" - a suitably general wording that should cover everything.
But it is appalling it got to the point of being visible to patients.
Thyroid medication? That would be my guess, do you think that was what they intended? It’s not really plain English using an acronym but given the context it can’t really be anything else.
It needs changing to the proper words. It would be inclusive of Levothyroxine, NDT, liothyronine and combinations thereof, once amended.
I'm guessing it's an attempt to cover the various forms of thyroid medication. But it should be specific. Surely it ought to be thyroid replacement therapy in the UK? Or have I got that wrong!
I always read the full PIL and look up stuff I don’t understand.
TM is known to mean trade mark but in this instance it cannot be the case.
I would make the assumption it means thyroid medication but assumption should never be left to patients where medicine is concerned. Poor show from the manufacturer.
Poor show from the MHRA. This is present on multiple PILs. The manufacturers might be almost entirely innocent - except in not checking and then reporting issues back to the MHRA.
I suspect it is an MHRA process that has gone wrong. And certainly their QA procedures are not up to snuff.
Very interesting information, H. I’ve recently been given Lansoprazole and have just scanned through the very long PIL. Can’t find any reference to thyroid and it seems every other eventuality is covered.
Absolutely agree - these things should NOT be patient responsibility, especially as it’s hit and miss what information is on the PILs. However, I’d still rather know than rely on my GP practice who seem to rely on me to point out if my TFTs are out of range.
As for TM, my first thought was thyroid meds.
I wonder if this is a recent thing, and if it indicates a fledgling understanding of the anomalies of living without a thyroid? I live in hope..
Thyroid Medication - but acronyms should always be spelled out. Using undefined acronyms is unacceptable and not accessible for many. Poor communication is definitely a theme within the NHS and wider medical services.
A problem with "thyroid medication" is understanding whether that includes antithyroid medications such as carbimazole.
I could sit here all day trying to decide if it does, if it should, or not.
That is why I suggested "thyroid hormone medications" as that covers levothyroxine, liothyronine, combinations and even (though effectively no-one gets it) tetrac.
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