Now the drugs for heart rhythm and blood thinning are being advertised on television so that you can remember to tell your doctor you want a specific drug you have seen on tv just in case your doctor forgets. Interesting that the drugs advertised on tv, with few exceptions, are simply more expensive versions of generic drugs that work just as effectively, at a fraction of the cost of the advertised drug. Beware of these ads, as often they are trying to create either diseases or treatments that patients don\’t really have or need. Always ask your dr. if a drug option, if one is needed, has a generic equivalent. Most do, and this will save you both time ( no need to wait for the preauthorization approval by your insurance company) and money. Listening to the laundry list of serious side effects that the FDA requires that these ads must warn patients of, in order for these ads to be shown on tv, inspires fear and skepticism to the average citizen, justifiably. Which makes you wonder if pharma ads to patients is really a good idea in the first place.