Phil – Interview 11
Phil took part in a trial of medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol. He had some side effects early on, so the medication was changed. He has been very happy with the care provided as part of the trial.
Phil first discovered he had high blood pressure in 1998 after someone noticed he had a reddened eye and he went to his doctor, who prescribed some medication. About a year later, his GP sent him an invitation to take part in a clinical trial, and straight away he thought it would be a good idea. He liked the fact that it gave him access to a clinical team who specialised in his condition, and had more time at appointments to monitor him and take a whole series of blood pressure readings.
The trial had two elements. One element was comparing two existing treatments for high blood pressure (beta blockers and ACE inhibitors) to see which gave the best results. Phil was initially started on a beta blocker plus a diuretic, but he quickly developed unpleasant side effects, especially feeling faint when he stood up. At his six-week appointment he mentioned this and was changed to an ACE inhibitor and after that did not have any problems. By the end of the trial, his blood pressure had stabilised and he was taken off the ACE inhibitor and just carried on with a diuretic.
The second element of the trial was comparing a cholesterol-lowering drug with a placebo (a tablet which contains no active ingredient). This part of the trial was double blind; – neither Phil nor the doctors knew during the trial whether he was taking the drug or a placebo. However, his cholesterol level started to fall and he guessed he must have been on the cholesterol-lowering medication.
The trial staff later organised a meeting for patients to come back and hear about the results. Phil was pleased to be involved in this and find out what had been learnt. He feels the specialised care at the trial clinic was very good, and he felt quite sad when the trial ended and responsibility for his care returned to his GP. The GP prescribed him another ACE inhibitor, which he didn’t mind as there were no side effects, but he wondered if it was really necessary. He has since joined another trial at the same unit, comparing different combinations of medicines in another double-blind; study. The unit is setting up a patients; group for people who have taken part in trials to be able to keep in touch and provide feedback. Phil thinks GPs need to be more aware of what is happening in trials in which their patients are participating.
He advises other people thinking about taking part in a trial to give it a go, unless they have strong reasons not to. He always felt he was in safe hands and that if he had any problems he just had to alert staff and action would be taken. He knew he could stop taking part at any stage if he wanted to, but he never felt any concern about taking part.