No guidance for Dovobet!

[terri24]

I have been reading more and more about Dovobet and cannot believe the lack of guidance I have been given on it!

It was prescribed to me nearly a year ago after I went to doctors having had no luck with Dovonex. The perscription was simply thrust into my hand and that was that! I have been using it continuously and only now am I finding out more about it.

I have an appointment with the doctor the week after next. My doctor (whichever one they make me see this time) is in for one hell of a talking to!!

[frost]

Gp's don't always specialise in dermatology.
It's always in your best interest to do a bit if research into any medication you are given.
Also as bad as dovobet's reputation is it has still worked for lots of people.
I personally wouldn't be too hard on your gp.

[leamarieuk]

at the end of the day its not only your gp's responsibility to give you any information on medication.
You should always ready patient infromation leaflets before using any new medication, and if you dont have a leaflet then ask the pharmacist for one.

The only thing I would say is that after a year of being on it then maybe the gp should of done a  medication review and warned you then of the side effects with long term use.

[MULLINDE]

Terri,

If you have really been using Dovobet for a year, then make sure that you come off it VERY slowly.

Regards,

Daryl

[terri24]

I disagree that it is not a GPs job to give you guidance on medications! They are the ones licensed to prescribe medications, therefore they should be giving at least some guidance, especially on things like Dovobet which can cause long term effects. I DO read the notes that come with medications, however I never read anything about using the cream for four weeks and then having a break, and my doctor never said anything of the kind (neither did the pharmacist)! In addition, I went back to the doctor a few months after (of my own accord - NOT because they asked to see me for a review!) and asked about further treatment and they told that they had given me everything available.

Yes, you should understand the medications you are using, however some of the responsibility should belong to the healthcare professionals prescribing them.

[frost]

Exactly you said it "some of the responsibility" . The rest lies with you.

[terri24]

I think you're missing the point! If 'some' of the responsibility quite rightly belongs with me then the other half should be with my doctor. As my original post said I have had no guidance whatsoever. Therefore, they have failed on their part of the bargain.

I should have saved some time and trained as a doctor. Then at least the NHS could pay me to treat myself.

[arizona]

No i dont think he's missing the point, first time i had it prescribed the only advice i was given on its use was to apply thinly to affected areas.
I read the leaflet
Then i looked it up on here

[Roger]

It is of course a GP's job to advise their patients on medication, they have the necessary skills to use the information at their disposal to do this. The patients notes are exactly that, additional information for the patient that they can use as well as the information their GP has given them. In my mind if a GP doesn't do this then it is a failure of their duty of care to their patient.

[terri24]

Apparently we are on our own here Roger!