Prescription Drug Side-Effects Last updated: Nov 05, 2009

THE ANALYST TM
Home  |  FAQ  |  Start The Analyst
                    On-line Diagnosis
 
  Prescription Drug Side-Effects  
 

 
Conditions that suggest it | Contributing risk factors | It can lead to... | Recommendations

 
 

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.

  
 

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]

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.

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).
 
 

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
 It is possible for certain drugs that people are prescribed for high blood pressure to have an effect on the kidney in such a way that the kidney doesn't let enough calcium escape the blood into the urine... and the excess calcium shows up as a high blood calcium test. The one drug that is typically associated with this is HCTZ (hydrochlorothyazide) which is a "water pill" used for blood pressure. If you have high blood calcium and you are on this drug your doctor will probably take you off of this medicine and then re-check your blood in a few weeks. Almost all the time this is not the problem (it is very rare) and your blood calcium will continue to be high and you will have hyperparathyroidism (like more than 98% of people do who have high blood calcium). Be careful of letting a doctor say that your blood calcium is high because you are on this blood pressure medicine. It can happen, but it is WAY over used as the excuse. It is MUCH more common for you to have a parathyroid problem and just coincidentally be on this very common drug. Be careful here, folks… this is a common mistake made that delays the diagnosis of parathyroid disease in at least 15% of all patients we see. Make sure your doctor doesn't just "forget" about the high calcium and just blame it on this drug. That is a mistake almost all the time. [www.parathyroid.com ]

Lifestyle
  Increased need for/being dependent on drug use

Counter-indicators:
  Total absence/strong avoidance of drug use
 
 

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.

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.
 
 

Recommendations for Prescription Drug Side-Effects:
 
 
DrugNot 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.
 
 


KEY
Weak or unproven link
Strong or generally accepted link
Proven definite or direct link
Strongly counter-indicative
Very strongly or absolutely counter-indicative
May have adverse consequences







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.