Drug adverts

In the UK, you don't use particular (medical) drugs because they've been advertised to you. In fact, I'm not sure they're even allowed to advertise prescription drugs - just over-the-counter ones. You go to your doctor, he diagnoses you and prescribes something suitable. In the US, a large proportion of the ads on telly are for drugs (most of them are for cars) - and they're really quite odd.

So, an advert will begin with someone looking horribly ill in some way, before the voiceover extols the virtues of their particular panacea. Then, in the final seconds of the ad, they run off a litany of side-effects that may or may not happen to you, presumably because they're legally required to. I think they must employ special people to do these bits, because the speed with which they talk is superhuman. You try saying "rare side effects may induce nausea, vomiting, cancer, brain damage, broken bones, and low self esteem" in 3 seconds with any kind of clarity, and you'll get the idea.

I was spurred to mention this by an ad just now for an anti-depressant called Cymbalta. Apparently it treats both the mental and physical effects of depression, but can have it's drawbacks. You are advised to "contact your doctor if you notice changes in mood, behaviour or suicidal tendencies". It continues "Has been known to produce suicidal feelings in children and teens, and is not recommended for those under 18". Not sure how this ad would make someone want to take this stuff. Weird.