modifying stress - beta blockers social+ethical implications
- Created by: Elyseee
- Created on: 08-01-21 12:12
View mindmap
- beta blockers - social and ethical implications
- social - off label prescription
- not licenced for use for anxiety and stress
- Well-controlled, long-term research is limited
- Hsiang-wen lin et al (2006) proportion of off-label beta blocker use was average of about 52% of beta blocker prescriptions
- Creates dilemma of health professionals
- Wittich et al (2012) potential issues with lawsuits against doctors and drug companies if there are adverse effects, may be issues of valid consent if off-label use is not explained to patients
- social - possible over prescription
- stats from the prescribing primary care health and social care information indicate prescription of propranolol increased by 7% between 2012-2013
- May be to increased use for heart problems, some medical professionals expressed concern of overprescribing for stress
- Other psychological therapies more expensive than beta blockers - more cost effective
- Established it’s unlikely to deal with root of cause of stress
- ethical - side effects
- end to be mild and temporary
- Eg) dizziness, diarrhoea, nausea, cold hands and feet
- May cause issues with sleep and shortness of breath in asthmatics
- Compared to benzodiazepines the effects are minimal
- Stopping them suddenly can cause heart palpitations or rise in blood pressure, body will have become used to drug’s effects in slowing down sympathetic response
- Individual may become psychologically dependent on drug
- ethical - enhancing performance
- Eg) music and sport, raises ethical questions
- They are banned for use in most sports, suggests they’re viewed as unethical
- May be seen as providing unfair advantage
- Some might argue they don’t specifically enhance performance in the way steroids might - stopping anxiety interfering with performance may be acceptable
- social - off label prescription
Comments
No comments have yet been made