Question 1

how does the placebo effect works?

Accepted Answer

Great question!: If we knew exactly what's behind the placebo affect it might be possible to reduce a great deal of medication used the world over. Some things that may power the placebo effect are: believing, positive thinking, doing someting about a problem, support & care of providers, a tangible sign of hope. In any case,  taking medication is "doing something" until the medication has had time to work.

Question 2

what is the point of placebos in drug trials?

Accepted Answer

Rare today: When we were discovering medications for previously-untreatable illnesses, we needed to compare the results in the treatment group with results in people who were not getting the medicine. The natural history of the illness in the population ; the psychologic effect of taking rx are studied in this way to avoid self-deception. Today, a new drug is compared to standard rx (clinical equipoise).

Question 3

can i start taking my placebo pills a week early?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can.: If you take the placebo pills early it may make your cycle irregular. It may take a month or two to regulate. Make sure that you use a backup method for contraception until your cycle returns to normal.

Question 4

what's a good way to check if my pill is a placebo?

Accepted Answer

Not possible: You have to rely on the packaging or the integrity of the prescriber.  Placebos can be very useful but not if the recipient is told its a placebo.  Unless you have access to a commercial chemical analysis laboratory, you cannot tell from looking at the pills you have.

Question 5

how come we test new drugs against nothing (placebo)?

Accepted Answer

No longer the case: Today's drug trials actually compare the proposed medication against standard treatment ("clinical equipoise"). Anyone who tells you otherwise is living the 1950's.

Question 6

the placebo pills work the same as the "active" pills? you still protected?

Accepted Answer

Placebo pills: The placebo pills in a cycle of oral contraceptives are inactive. They are placed in the package to help you remember to take a pill every day of your cycle. If you take the active pills correctly at the same time every day, you are protected against pregnancy. It does not matter if you take the placebos or not.

Question 7

is it possible that the placebo effect be used to create a new class of drugs?

Accepted Answer

I don't think so: because placebos are placebos. There are ethical considerations when giving an unknowing patient a placebo.

Question 8

how is it proven that cool scultiping really work and not just the placebo effect?

Accepted Answer

Cryolipolysis: This is not yet mainstream. The idea is that if fat beneath the skin is frozen, it will tend not to accumulate there in the future. It's done specifically to remove love handles or bumps in particular places. The fda permission doesn't mean it works. You'd do better to diet and exercise.

Question 9

i only spotted once while taking the 4 placebo pills and it was in the 2nd day. is that normal?

Accepted Answer

Probably: The pill with only 4 placebos affects different women in different ways.  Some women only spot during the placebo days, others don't bleed at all and still others have regular periods.  If you are in the group with only spotting, consider yourself lucky!  If you are worried, do a pregnancy test the first time it happens for peace of mind.  Best wishes!

Question 10

are you protected the week after placebo pills; like when you start taking active pills on time again?

Accepted Answer

Yes: If a woman is taking birth control pills properly and at least on her second or third pack, she is protected every day, regardless of where she is on her pack.

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Doctor answers about:

Placebo

A member asked:

How does the placebo effect works?

A member asked:

What is the point of placebos in drug trials?

A member asked:

Can i start taking my placebo pills a week early?

A member asked:

What's a good way to check if my pill is a placebo?

A member asked:

How come we test new drugs against nothing (placebo)?

A member asked:

The placebo pills work the same as the "active" pills? you still protected?

A member asked:

Is it possible that the placebo effect be used to create a new class of drugs?

A member asked:

How is it proven that cool scultiping really work and not just the placebo effect?

A member asked:

I only spotted once while taking the 4 placebo pills and it was in the 2nd day. is that normal?

A member asked:

Are you protected the week after placebo pills; like when you start taking active pills on time again?

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