You're may not be doing it via suggestion, but the pharma companies are
doing it with their websites and packaging.  Take a look at some of the
imagery they use.

Levitra.com uses a stylized flame and a macho looking guy standing there
with his arms folded like Mr. Clean, for obvious reasons.

Before Diflucan went generic, Diflucan.com and its packaging had a pink
motif, with pictures of women and lots of feminine-looking script and
swirls.  Diflucan is often prescribed for difficult vaginal candidiasis
and the manufacturer was trying to make it look like a "woman thing."
Would women believe the medication could help them if the imagery was
more macho, with pictures of fighter jet planes and guys in macho
occupations like cops and soldiers?

On 1/28/07 6:51 PM, in article
Didvh.16330$yx6.3336@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net, "Steven L."
<sdlitvin@earthlinkNOSPAM.net> wrote:

This is true, except that in my practice we try very hard NOT to influence
the patient via suggestion - This Brand Will Make YOU WELL! Not that we are
altruistic or noble, its just that we ourselves want to find out if the damn
thing works.
How's this for trying not to influence the patient's response? : The FDA
says this stuff is no good, but my wife says it works. Do you want the shot?

It seems to be very idiosyncratic; on this newsgroup over the years,
we've had patients swear by one steroid spray and claim that others
bother them, but other patients had other preferences.

It might be due to extreme sensitivity to inert ingredients on the part
of a few people.  Or maybe it's just the placebo effect of brand
loyalty, like when Madison Avenue discovered that consumers' evaluation
of the performance of their detergent depends on the color of the
package the detergent comes in; the exact same detergent in a blue
package is rated as "more effective" than in some other colored package.

On 1/28/07 7:27 AM, in article
1169998070.808300.10310@q2g2000cwa.googlegroups.com, "judy.n"

I have been favoring Rhinocort AQ but I am not sure that I see a significant
difference. I don't see patients, "oh since I used Rhinonocort AQ  I feel
wonderful" Its not like when persons using benzalkonium saline switch to
saline that is free of bzk. Then they ho longer get the burning, etc.

Both have preservatives and alcohol in them: brand name flonase had
"masking perfume": nasonex is now scent free. Hypothetically nasonex
is less bioavailable as a steroid. I used to use flonase, and liked
it, but my allergist prefers rhinocort AQ because it has no
benzylchonium chloride/scent/alcohol.
The generic option is really nice for co-pays.
Judy

I've used them both and find them equally effective. Flonase is out in a
generic form now so if cost/insurance is an issue...

CS

Any opinions??

Mel