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| Prescription Drug Side-Effects |
Last updated: Jul 17, 2008 |
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Prescription Drug Side-Effects |
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Conditions that suggest it | Contributing risk factors | It can lead to... | Recommendations
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People over the age of 65 consume more than a third of all prescription medications in the United States... almost a quarter of older Americans are sent to hospitals or nursing homes because of problems with medications. According to the California Pharmacists Association, more than 100,000 Americans die each year of adverse drug reactions. The annual bill for treating medication misuse is a stunning $177 billion. [MSNBC, January 2002]
Become an expert on what ails you - do your own research. The phrase "Ask your doctor" is a favorite in ads for pharmaceuticals, but the fact is that no doctor knows everything. - Find out as much as you can about your medications. Thousands die each year from medication errors. Know what you're taking, what the name is, what the strength is and what it's for.
- After taking new medications, watch for new symptoms that could be side-effects.
- Bring all of your medicines to the doctor with you - even over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies - so that your doctor can see everything you are taking and possibly detect conflicts.
- Be on your guard, even in the hospital. Every time a drug is about to be administered, even intravenously, ask what it is.
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 Conditions that suggest Prescription Drug Side-Effects: | | | | | | Digestion |  Heartburn / GERD | A research team found a 65% increased risk of heartburn after bedtime in those who used benzodiazepine sleeping aids such as Ativan, Halcion, Valium and Xanax. [Chest May 2005;127(5): pp.1658-1666] |
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Hormones |
Elevated SHBG| | Elevated levels of SHBG may be observed during administration of drugs, such as phenytoin, that promote hepatic enzyme induction. |
Low SHBG| | Modest reductions in SHBG levels may be encountered in individuals receiving glucocorticoids such as prednisone. |
Counter-indicators:
 Hyperparathyroidism| | When hyperparathyroidism is present, the likelihood of elevated serum calcium being caused by other conditions is obviously reduced. |
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Lab Values |
 Low White Count
Eosinophilia |
Organ Health |
Fatty Liver| | Fatty liver may occurr with the use of certain drugs such as valproic acid (trade names: Depakene/Depakote) and corticosteroids (cortisone, prednisone). |
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Risk factors for Prescription Drug Side-Effects: | | | | | | Lab Values - Chemistries | Elevated liver enzymes| | Prescription and OTC medications can cause liver inflammation with elevations in liver enzymes. When discovered, the medication is usually discontinued. |
Hypercalcemia| | Iatrogenic disorders of calcium levels may increase secondary to the ingestion of many medications. |
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Prescription Drug Side-Effects can lead to: | | | | | | Hormones | Low SHBG| | Modest reductions in SHBG levels may be encountered in individuals receiving glucocorticoids such as prednisone. |
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Mental |
Schizophrenia| | A number of non-psychotropic drugs can create psychosis. An estimated 1-2% of interferon users manifest psychosis or suicidal behavior.
Amantadine, a drug for Parkinson’s Disease, can cause hallucinations, depression, jitteriness, and confusion. In anyone experiencing a psychotic episode, recent drug ingestion must be considered as a cause. |
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Recommendations for Prescription Drug Side-Effects: | | | | | | Drug | Not recommended:
 Conventional Drugs / Information| | As with so many things, the benefits of a medication must be balanced against any side effects. Some consequences require that the medication be discontinued. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Strongly counter-indicative | | | May have adverse consequences |
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"Keep on going and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down." Charles F. Kettering
"He never wins who fears defeat." Prahlad Pandey
"Doubting your chances before you're done, may cost you the race you might have won."
GLOSSARY
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. An immune system deficiency disorder that suddenly alters the body's ability to defend itself. The AIDS virus invades the T4 helper/inducer lymphocytes and multiplies, causing a breakdown in the body's immune system, eventually leading to overwhelming infection and/or cancer, with ultimate death.
Amantadine: (Amantadine hydrochloride) Antiviral agent used to prevent or treat influenza; also used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Calcium: The body's most abundant mineral. Its primary function is to help build and maintain bones and teeth. Calcium is also important to heart health, nerves, muscles and skin. Calcium helps control blood acid-alkaline balance, plays a role in cell division, muscle growth and iron utilization, activates certain enzymes, and helps transport nutrients through cell membranes. Calcium also forms a cellular cement called ground substance that helps hold cells and tissues together.
Enzymes: Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Fatty Liver: Accumulation of triglycerides in the liver.
Hallucination: A false or distorted perception of objects or events, including sensations of sight, sound, taste, smell or touch, typically accompanied by a powerful belief in their reality.
Herbs: Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Interferon: A protein formed by the cells of the immune system in the presence of a virus, etc. It prevents viral reproduction, and is capable of protecting noninfected cells from viral infection. Several kinds of interferon exist including alpha, beta, and gamma.
Over-The-Counter: A drug or medication that can legally be bought without a doctor's prescription being required.
Serum: The cell-free fluid of the bloodstream. It appears in a test tube after the blood clots and is often used in expressions relating to the levels of certain compounds in the blood stream.