# What's With This Weird Disclaimer I Hear On Some Drug Ads **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2020, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373 "2020-08-30T15:24:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/41 "2023-03-08T21:37:05Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Am I being whooshed here? For (eg) Jardinace [**PDF WARNING**] see p34 of Yeah, I kinda figured the information was available somewhere, but still not terribly usable. I don’t know if I’m allergic to any of those things, and I don’t know if they’re typically tested for by allergists. Having to read a 34-page .pdf seems like it’s shifting a lot of the burden and responsibility onto the patient. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/42 "2023-03-08T21:46:31Z")
For erections lasting longer than four hours, insert your own joke here. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/43 "2023-03-08T22:01:35Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I could never figure out how a drug could have such a specific infection as a side effect but the drug I know has this side effect is Jardiance , for Type 2 diabetes. Apparently the drug helps eliminate sugar through urination, and the sugar in the urine increases the amount of bacteria near the genitals which can get under the skin if there us a break or irritation and destroy the tissue and even kill you if it’s. not treated quickly enough. What the promoters of **Jardiance** are dancing around and not calling it is **Fouriner’s Gangrene**. They refer to the perineum which most people wouldn’t be able the point to on a map of the human body. So most users will not worry about it. A better warning would say something like; “will you risk gangrene and rotten flesh from your balls to your anus? If so, Jardiance may be for you.” I am not even diabetic but the doctors keep trying to give it to me because it has some small benfit for heart failure. I will not take it. I get a kick out of the slogan in the advertisements, “I’m on it!’ I’m on it!” “We are on it.” Yeah, you are probably sitting on your new rot. [NSFW] [Fournier gangrene - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fournier_gangrene) ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/44 "2023-03-08T22:09:36Z")
I did not expect… that photo. I need to lie down now and think about my life choices. ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/45 "2023-03-08T22:12:46Z")
I am sorry. There should probably be a disclaimer before and after all of my posts. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/46 "2023-03-08T22:22:05Z")
Several drugs mention that, usually immune modulators or drugs for type 2 diabetes. That infection is also known as Fournier’s gangrene, and I would not recommend Google-imaging that if you are squeamish. (Harvey Weinstein had it. Justice, in this case.) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/47 "2023-03-08T22:22:54Z")
You REALLY don’t want to know what they do in the emergency room when that happens. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/48 "2023-03-08T23:02:20Z")
[Moderating] I’ve added an NSFW tag to that link and spoilered it. Yeah, it’s gross. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2023, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/49 "2023-03-08T23:16:09Z")
With _MY_ track record – hell, no! ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/50 "2023-03-09T01:51:05Z")
Let us not forget the warnings about the dreaded side effect of … _ **weight loss!** _ Ozempic has been cited as a popular drug to treat diabetes in celebrities, and they’re just horrified to discover they are losing weight. I just saw an for Otezla that warns about weight loss as well. That one can result in a 5-10% weight loss. I’m sure a lot of people have recently discovered they have plaque psoriasis that requires treatment. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/51 "2023-03-09T02:32:27Z")
OM freakin’ God! Brain bleach, please. And I’m not caring about the warnings on the jug. At. All. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/52 "2023-03-09T02:49:00Z")
And how are you supposed to know if you’re allergic to it before taking it? The only reason I know I’m allergic to penicillin is that the first time it was prescribed to me I broke out in a rash. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/53 "2023-03-09T03:19:18Z")
It’s so the drug manufacturer is covered in case of a lawsuit, in case someone who’s allergic to penicillin dies after taking it has their family try to sue. “Well, we did have a disclaimer that those who are allergic this drug should not take it. It’s not our fault!” ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/54 "2023-03-09T05:01:21Z")
Actually, the weight-loss side effect is why celebrities, and some “real people” too, are using Ozempic/Wegovy. What the ads DO NOT say is that the weight loss is often from nausea that is frequently severe enough to require treatment. I’d rather not lose weight that way, no thanks. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/55 "2023-03-09T07:07:22Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > Actually, the weight-loss side effect is why celebrities, and some “real people” too, are using Ozempic/Wegovy. I’m shocked! Shocked to find people who consider weight loss to be a desirable side effect of a drug! ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/56 "2023-03-09T10:02:27Z")
Re ingredient listings in drug labeling. > [@snowthx](#): > > It’s so the drug manufacturer is covered in case of a lawsuit, in case someone who’s allergic to penicillin dies after taking it has their family try to sue. “Well, we did have a disclaimer that those who are allergic this drug should not take it. It’s not our fault!” I’m sure that’s what they would say. But it’s a legal requirement, of course. From [21 CFR 201.57](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2017-title21-vol4/pdf/CFR-2017-title21-vol4-sec201-57.pdf) ( **PDF** on content of the package insert): > (12) 11 Description. (i) This section must contain: > [snip] > (C) The same qualitative and/or quantitative ingredient information as required under §201.100(b) for drug labels or §§610.60 and 610.61 of this chapter for biological product labels; … j ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/57 "2023-03-09T14:53:06Z")
I’m taking a similar drug with a side effect of weight loss (not taking it for that reason) and “appetite suppression”. “Appetite suppression” sounds great - I just won’t want to eat as much. Nope, that’s not really what it is. It’s more like “I don’t enjoy eating, nothing tastes good and the thought of eating makes me nauseated, even when I am actually hungry”. Can make you miserable even if you don’t require treatment. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/58 "2023-03-09T14:57:58Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > There’s still some (probably unavoidable) redundancy there. It’s not like there are any _adults_ under two They have to say _something_ under two - either “people under 2” or “patients under 2” or “those under 2” - they can’t just say "don’t give Linzess to under two.” And “children” is the least bad option. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/59 "2023-03-09T18:02:54Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > > [@nearwildheaven](#): > > > > Actually, the weight-loss side effect is why celebrities, and some “real people” too, are using Ozempic/Wegovy. > > I’m shocked! Shocked to find people who consider weight loss to be a desirable side effect of a drug! That sort of side effect can be highly appealing, like when it was discovered that the antihypertensive drug minoxidil grew hair. Of course, getting hair to grow _where you wanted it_ was a bit more complicated. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2023, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373/60 "2023-03-09T18:43:15Z")
The other classic example being Viagra, which was being investigated as a blood pressure medication and then it was noticed in trials that the mechanism of action had an effect on erectile tissue. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-this-weird-disclaimer-i-hear-on-some-drug-ads/919373.md?page=4)