Product Description
A medical expert reveals risks of the most commonly prescribed drugs-and why the drug industry doesn't want consumers to know about them. Recent scandals involving diabetes drugs, Vioxx, and many other medications reveal the serious and undisclosed risks of some of the most commonly used prescription drugs in this country. In Before You Take That Pill, Dr. J. Douglas Bremner, a researcher and clinician at Emory University whose study on Accutane and depression made headlines, offers an inside look at the pharmaceutical industry, as well as a scientifically backed assessment of the risks of more than three hundred prescribed medications, vitamins, and supplements. While many drugs are essential to the health of consumers, as Dr. Bremner explains, for many people, the benefits may not outweigh the potential side effects. This book contains warnings that are not on the drug labels. It also exposes tricks of the trade that demonstrate how the profit-making interests of "big pharma" may not always be in line with the safety of the public - from the corruption that exists in the drug approval process to the tactics drug companies use to encourage doctors to prescribe their products. Most important, Before You Take That Pill empowers readers by giving them sound information on specific medications so they can understand and weigh the potential risk themselves. Backed by the latest studies, as well as insight from a doctor who is in the trenches, this book should be on the shelf of every drug consumer.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 9 reviews)

Before You Take the Pill by Kenneth E. Sain (Altadena, CA United States)

3 Stars
September 18, 2009
There is a large amount of good information in this book. It is unfortunate that the author presents such a negative attitude about so many medications. It would help if he would evaluate more on the, "risk v. benefit" basis rather than, "don't take it". In some instances there may not be an alternative. He does seem to be a bit of a medical nihilist, possibly because his speciality is psychiatry?

a necessary book by Carolyn (nyc, ny)

5 Stars
July 06, 2009
now that every other commercial on television is urging us to "talk to your doctor about" and dispensing marketing disguised as bogus medical advice, we need objective information if we are to avoid the pitfalls of being over medicated for no good reason. you can read this book cover to cover, as i did, even though i take no medication or you can look up the chapters that apply to you. here's a perfect example: i sent the book to my 85 year old father to read. for some reason, he had been put on simvastatin. after reading the chapter on cholesterol lowering medication, he decided to stop taking it. when he told his cardiologist, the doctor said "i don't know why you were ever on it to begin with!" obviously, another doctor had prescribed it a long time ago and no one was keeping track. so aside from helping to keep the country's wildly out of control medical costs in check, my dad also noticed that a mysterious rash he had developed went away, in addition to muscle aches which he had attributed to his age. he also quit his advair and has had no problems so far without it. now he is like any normal healthy 85 year old living in a country that doesn't ram drugs down people's throats to keep stock options soaring- he mows his own lawn, trims his hedges, treated his garage for termites and is getting ready to rehang all the windows in his house. yes, some people need drugs for short periods to fight infections and save their lives. but this chronic use of drugs for everything and forever is nonsense. we are certainly no healthier for it and certainly way poorer. that a doctor was willing to examine his profession objectively and point out this very big weakness is something we must be grateful for. thank you, dr bremner

A Must Read by Gayle Alexia (Portland, Oregon)

5 Stars
May 26, 2009
Anyone and everyone taking scripts should read this book. Very important info for everyone.

Take responsibility for your own health by Christine Bean (Denver, CO)

5 Stars
September 15, 2008
Hi! This book is well written, well researched and VERY informative. Just because a doctor prescribes something to treat your illness doesn't mean it's good for you or that their answer is the only answer to your treatment. In fact, the side effects could be far more harmful. This book needs to be in your home library, so you can research your meds before you have the prescription filled. Better yet, before you visit your doctor. Best, Christine

If you take responsibility for your own health, buy this book. by Kathryn (Lakewood, WA)

5 Stars
June 03, 2008
Must have for the home library. I use mine all the time at work (I am an RN in a VA hospital), but the first drugs I looked up were the ones my mom and dad were taking. I have seen drug reactions in my practice and effects from mixing too many chemical combinations together. The facts about how a particular drug interacts with the body is important knowledge to have before deciding to use the drug. The other piece of information is to remember that all institutions have some unscrupulous individuals in positions of authority. This is true whether discussing Government, the Church, the Oil Industry or the Drug Industry. As mundane as it seems, diet, exercise and positive attitude remain the most inportant factors in remaining healthy and fighting disease.

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