# Is it legal for a doctor to prescribe placebos? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 3, 2011, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310 "2011-08-03T12:05:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/21 "2011-08-03T16:29:54Z")
How many doctors ok the parents eating the extras? ---
**Author:** ![enigmatic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@enigmatic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enigmatic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/22 "2011-08-03T16:32:50Z")
Not a clinical doctor, do have some experience with ADHD medication šŸ˜› 1. The fact that the medication helped does not confirm that you have ADHD (they are amphetamines), although the the precise way they influenced your behavior may be suggestive. 2. Even if you do have ADHD the placebo effect will still have a massive effect on how you respond to medication. 3. Different medications work differently for diffferent people and different people require different doses. 4. I have definitely pecieved variability in effects between batches of medication. I discussed this with both my doctors expecting that this was my imagination, but they both suggested that this was entirely possible and consistent with their experience of generic drugs(Iā€™d be interested in the input of any board GPā€™s on this point). Incidentally when I had a batch of medication suddenly stop working, I was concerned that my doctor had switched to a placebo, so you arenā€™t unique in your paranoia at least. 5. It is _vanishingly_ unlikely that your doctor is giving you a placebo (and you can completely rule it out by checking the tablet markings). Itā€™s much more likely that he is giving you a relatively tiny dose, especially if you are an adult. Iā€™d suggest that you confess to your doctor that you tried the other medication and that it seemed to be more effective and ask if he can adjust your prescription with that in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/23 "2011-08-03T16:39:32Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > How many doctors ok the parents eating the extras? Yeah, presumably the person takes the rest of their pillsā€“they donā€™t get to give them out. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/24 "2011-08-03T17:05:00Z")
Doctors cannot, legally or ethically (as defined by their profession), prescribe actual placebos. They can however prescribe medicines that are, in effect, placebos as, while they could on paper at least do something towards treating your symptoms, the biggest effect from them is likely to be the very real psychological affect of taking a ā€œmedicineā€ given to you by a doctor to treat your problem (but are also unlikely to cause any physical side affects). Iā€™m not a doctor and have no idea what Amphetamine Salts are or if they fall under that category. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/25 "2011-08-03T17:11:42Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Doctors cannot, legally or ethically (as defined by their profession), prescribe actual placebos. EDIT (missed window) - This is only that case if itā€™s without your knowledge, scientific placebo trials would be illegal otherwise ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/26 "2011-08-03T17:14:32Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Iā€™m not a doctor and have no idea what Amphetamine Salts are or if they fall under that category. Itā€™s Adderall. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/27 "2011-08-03T17:48:21Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > Iā€™m not saying you donā€™t have ADHD but just because the meds work does not confirm you have it. Iā€™ve been diagnosed by a psychiatrist as having ADHD, Iā€™m not just going based on the fact that the pill worked. > [@spark240](#): > > It could indeed. Also it sounds as if **OpalCat** may have taken one of those in _addition_ to her usual. No, it was instead of. > [@chaoticbear](#): > > Is the kiddoā€™s med actually a different drug? Or made by another manufacturer? Although it flies in the face of pharmaceutical science, some patients really do prefer the white one over the blue one or whatever different colors generic manufacturers decide to make their pills. Heā€™s taking Metadate. And no, Iā€™m not trying to ā€œget offā€ on the pills\*. I have trouble at work keeping focused. I find I get sidetracked until Iā€™m doing 10 things at once and havenā€™t finished any of them. I have a hard time following the plot of movies and tv shows because I get distracted. I have a lot of really annoying symptoms that Iā€™d like to go away if thereā€™s a medication that will do it. _my drug of choice for ā€œgetting offā€ is alcohol_\*. When I was much younger, it was LSD. I tried cocaine once and thought it was useless. It made my face numb and thatā€™s about it. Meth just made me talk a lot and stay awake. I may be on a lot of medications but Iā€™m not a drug seeker looking for a buzz. \*\*no, Iā€™m not an alcoholic. I donā€™t drink all that often, but itā€™s what I turn to when I want to ā€œfeel different.ā€ ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/28 "2011-08-03T18:09:11Z")
Tell your doctor that your prescription is not helping you and you want to try something else. Iā€™m not sure why you are leaping first to the idea that heā€™s giving you placebos, instead of assuming that, naturally, not every drug works the same way on every person. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/29 "2011-08-03T18:10:49Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > Doctors cannot, legally or ethically (as defined by their profession), prescribe actual placebos. Since I mentioned the trademarked product Cebocap above, Iā€™d be interested to see a cite on the legality. > [@griffin1977](#): > > They can however prescribe medicines that are, in effect, placebos as, while they could on paper at least do something towards treating your symptoms, the biggest effect from them is likely to be the very real psychological affect of taking a ā€œmedicineā€ given to you by a doctor to treat your problem (but are also unlikely to cause any physical side affects). Placebos in effect. I donā€™t see how this is ethically superior to, or very distinct from, ā€œactualā€ placebos. In the case of [prescribing antibiotics for known viral infections](http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/248573#ixzz1CZQ2FPDb), Iā€™d have to say that practice is ethically _much worse_ than straight placebo capsules would be. (However, notice that while most of the doctors surveyed were giving ā€œplacebos in effect,ā€ a few did give ā€œprepared placebo tabletsā€ or ā€œsugar or artificial sweetener pills.ā€) ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/30 "2011-08-03T18:22:31Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Tell your doctor that your prescription is not helping you and you want to try something else. Iā€™m not sure why you are leaping first to the idea that heā€™s giving you placebos, instead of assuming that, naturally, not every drug works the same way on every person. Iā€™m not assuming theyā€™re placebos. In fact I think itā€™s highly unlikely that they are. However, the thought did occur to me and then that made me wonder if itā€™s legal, so I decided to ask here. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/31 "2011-08-03T18:57:50Z")
Donā€™t blame the doc; he only deals quality product. Pharmacist must be stepping on your shit. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/32 "2011-08-03T19:11:47Z")
Actually the doctor changed my dosage yesterday so today was my first day on the higher dose and I seem to have been keeping on track better at work today. Maybe we just need to get the dosage right. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/33 "2011-08-03T19:16:11Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > Heā€™s taking Metadate. I think Metadate is a form of Ritalin, which is different then the amphetamine salts. Perhaps let your Dr know you tried one of your childā€™s pills and it works for you while the ones prescribed to you doesnā€™t and see if he will prescribe Metadate. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/34 "2011-08-03T19:17:42Z")
Metadate is the same drug as Ritalin; there is an extended release (ER) version that is longer-acting, as well as a CD version that has an immediate dose followed by an 8-hour extended release. Itā€™s possible that just dose or the type of drug action may have made you feel like your old medication wasnā€™t doing anything in comparison. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/35 "2011-08-03T19:18:52Z")
She probably shouldnā€™t cop to stealing her kidā€™s speed. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/36 "2011-08-03T19:20:24Z")
nm. double post. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/37 "2011-08-03T20:06:47Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Since I mentioned the trademarked product Cebocap above, Iā€™d be interested to see a cite on the legality. > > Placebos in effect. I donā€™t see how this is ethically superior to, or very distinct from, ā€œactualā€ placebos. I meant without the patientā€™s knowledge (just missing edit deadline, added this in next post). Obviously informed placebo is legal otherwise scientific trials involving them would be illegal. > [@spark240](#): > > In the case of [prescribing antibiotics for known viral infections](http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/248573#ixzz1CZQ2FPDb), Iā€™d have to say that practice is ethically _much worse_ than straight placebo capsules would be. (However, notice that while most of the doctors surveyed were giving ā€œplacebos in effect,ā€ a few did give ā€œprepared placebo tabletsā€ or ā€œsugar or artificial sweetener pills.ā€) I was thinking of supplements and the like, not antibiotics. Iā€™d agree prescribing antibiotics as ā€œpseudo-placebosā€ is incredibly irresponsible. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/38 "2011-08-03T20:10:24Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > I meant without the patientā€™s knowledge (just missing edit deadline, added this in next post). Obviously informed placebo is legal otherwise scientific trials involving them would be illegal. In fact your article backs me up on this: > [@](#): > > The American Medical Association (AMA) says its members may use placebos for diagnosis or treatment, **ā€œonly if the patient is informed of and agrees to its use.ā€** ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/39 "2011-08-03T20:42:50Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > She probably shouldnā€™t cop to stealing her kidā€™s speed. Do you always have to be this way? I took one pill. That was left over. While he is at his dadā€™s for the summer anyway. If this new dosage doesnā€™t work out I probably will tell my doc about the Metadate. Why wouldnā€™t I? Iā€™m honest with my doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2011, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310/40 "2011-08-03T20:49:23Z")
Donā€™t expect your doctor to tell you it was ok. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-for-a-doctor-to-prescribe-placebos/591310.md?page=3)