Has there ever been a case when someone has been prescribed a placebo? (Adderall)

I believe it is illegal for the pharmacy to dispense placebos.

There is a difference between being *prescribed* a placebo and being *dispensed* a placebo:

1. The doctor actually writes/calls in a precription for sugar pills or directly gives the patient the placebo. I don't believe he could legally tell you that it is Adderall. This is an ethical debate, but I don't believe its illegal to "prescribe" a placebo to a patient. If this happens at all, it is extremely rare I'm sure. Most of the time placebos are prescribed during a clinical trial of some sort. Though I'm sure that there are many doctors out there believe in the amazing power of the mind and of course, all this wouldn't be limited to just psychiatrists.

Just reminded me of this.... Once on an episode of House, a patient came in, described some general random symptoms (fatigue, etc.) and House gave him a prescription bottle full of tiny white candies. Later on, the patient comes back in feeling better and in need of a refill. hehe! (Yes, I realize that it's a TV show.... just sayin.)

2. You had the pharmacist an Adderall prescription (for example) and they fill it with something else, such as sugar pills or placebos. Like mspen mentioned above, THIS is definitely illegal.

billman, do you think you received something other than your prescription, is that why you ask? I suppose a mistake could have been made in the pharmacy (lower dosage, something else????) if you are not feeling any affect from taking your last bunch of pills.

I'm wondering what the law on that is.

But prescribed a placebo, I don't see how. You would know by the prescription saying "sugar pills- 60" lol.

Placebos are used exclusively in clinical trials so that way it can determine the true effectiveness and adverse effects of a drug, it is meant as a comparison.

I'm pretty sure pharmacies dont even carry placebos unless the prescription comes with them, like birth control. In that case they clearly mark the pill as being a placebo. I would think the only time placebos are the same color is in clinical trials.