8 drugs doctors wouldn't take

[rpannier]

1. Advair: It's asthma medicine ... that could make your asthma deadly

2. Avandia: Diabetes is destructive enough on its own, but if you try to control it with rosiglitazone — better known by the brand name Avandia — you could be headed for a heart attack.

3. Celebrex: The drug has been linked to increased risks of stomach bleeding, kidney trouble, and liver damage

4. Ketek: Ketek can cause heart-rhythm problems, can lead to liver disease

5-6. Prilosec and Nexium: ...the FDA has investigated a suspected link between cardiac trouble and the acid-reflux remedies Prilosec and Nexium.

7. Visine Original: Visine gets the red out, but it does so by shrinking blood vessels,

8. Pseudoephedrine: People with heart disease or hypertension should watch out for any legitimate drug that contains pseudoephedrine.

link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24777955/

[graywarrior]

1. Nexium!

Cripes.

[Wizard777]

30. I thought that stuff was going to kill me. I took it for 3 days before I had to stop.

I could literally feel my stomach. I could feel the lining, outter wall, and everything inbetween. I couldn't ignore it. It was horible. I went back to tums. My acid reflux isn't persisent. But when I get it. I get it bad. But the cause with me is usually dietary. I'm eating a lot food with acid content when it happens. Pickled stuff or vinager, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and coffee. UGH! Now tums get me through until I change my diet. Some people binge on sugars and carbs. I binge on acids.

[roguevalley]

47. Celebrex and Nexium killed my mother.

[Th1onein]

72. I would like to hear more about this.

What happened?

[roguevalley]

76. It can disrupt your cardio system and the bit about nexium being

bad for kidneys, my mom developed kidney trouble right after she started taking nexium. Celebrex was only supposed to be given at the lowest level possible because it causes death. Mom had to take it for her arthritis and I begged the doctor to give her something else because of her history with cerebral hemmorhage running in her family. They were going to when she died of cerebral hemmorhage. Too late for my darling, wonderul, beautiful mother, my hero. If you are on it or someone you love is, GET OFF!

[Eurobabe]

48. Oh shit!

Sure you want it? :shrug:

[demigoddess]

2. I'm surprised the list isn't much much longer.

There are many that I wont touch. Tylenol should be on the list because eventually it causes liver damage. An overdose will kill by killing the liver, why not damage it over a long period?

[Kansas Wyatt]

5. I should be dead then.

I've taken the maximum dosage every day for over ten years now... No problems.

[cbayer]

11. No, if taken judiciously, it will not cause liver damage over the long run.

It is only when the levels become toxic that it is dangerous (overdoses or routinely taking more than probably 8 a day).

[Th1onein]

36. I think it causes liver cancer.

Just my opinion.

[Infomaniac]

13. So am I. I'd expect a longer list. NFT.

[Th1onein]

37. They missed the female hormone list.

Anything that is supposed to replace the "lost" estrogen during menopause is dangerous as hell.

[readmoreoften]

3. Shit! So what should I take? Zantac?

Fuck fuck fuck...

[rpannier]

4. From the article

When you feel the fire, first try to extinguish it with Zantac 150 or Pepcid AC. Both of these OTC products work by blocking histamine from stimulating the stomach cells that produce acid. Just know that neither drug is a long-term fix.

[madfloridian]

10. For some people they are a long term fix.

And there are as yet no better drugs.

I take a lot of that stuff about drugs with a grain of salt. The real truth is too elusive.

[SoCalDem]

12. Mylanta in the blue bottle (otc) always worked for me

But then it none of the acid reflux drugs were available back when I was taking it for indigestion

[readmoreoften]

20. Thanks. There are no 'lifestyle changes' I can make to calm this, so I need something.

I don't smoke.
I eat between 800-1200 calories a day and exercise.
Don't drink at all.


Xantac doesn't work as well, but I'm going to go for it.

[Th1onein]

38. What's your carb intake?

Carbs do a lot more harm than most people think.

[EOTE]

43. I'm guessing it's not much.

If readmoreoften is ingesting 800-1200 calories per day, I'd imagine she's getting well under the recommended daily carb allowance. I think the recommended carb intake for most people is around 300 grams per day. At 4 calories per gram, that is about 1200 calories in carbs alone. That would mean she would only be getting her full 1200 calories from carbs if her entire diet was nothing but carbs.

[AllieB]

79. Totally agree.

People don't understand the connection between carbs/insulin/cholesterol etc. And unless you're exercising 2 hours a day, no one should be eating 300 carbs a day.

[Lance_Boyle]

46. for gawd's sake, stick with what works

and don't drop it because of some random alarmist bullshit you found on the intarwebs.

If Zantac (note the absence of the letter "X") doesn't work as well, why would you switch to it? More reflux will break down more of your mucosal lining, resulting in esophageal cancer. Bet none of these "enlightened" intarwebs alarmists will be around when chemo-time comes.

This is asinine. That's right... ass-9. Take the meds that help you, and let the intarwebs alarmists go back to hysterical yammering about the dangers of fluoride in municipal water, or vaccines causing autism. :eyes:

[librechik]

62. Don't take Zetia either--doesn't work, may do harm

I took it (lowering Cholesterol) for years, Dr. made me stop recently

[AllieB]

77. A tablespoon of baking soda in water has always worked for me

It puts the fire out immediately. Plus it's alkaline and supposedly good for your system.

[Name removed]

7. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Mojorabbit]

14. If it is mild hearburn

a little baking soda mixed with water works well...

[ginnyinWI]

22. I switched to Pepcid AC.

I used Prilosec and Nexium off and one for some months, but it gave me insomnia and also didn't totally do the job. I'm now taking a much cheaper generic version of Pepcid AC now and it actually works better and I can sleep! I get them at Sam's Club for only 6 cents each dose.

[donco6]

63. Pepcid works really well for me.

Used to have terrible reflux, but I just pop one of these before eating and no problem. It really does work. I haven't noticed any side effects of any kind. And way cheaper. And you don't have to take it every day.

[ginnyinWI]

75. I read something online about B-12 deficiency with long-term use.

Something about not being able to absorb it as well when using Pepcid AC. So I take vitamins.

[Phred42]

54. I dropped Nexium (headachs) switched to Prilosec

If I having Pizza, Pasta w/ red sauce etc I also have to take a Zantec boost

[NightWatcher]

6. come on, no benzodiazepines? like xanax, klonopin, clonezepam

those are real fun, esp when you try to stop

[Eurobabe]

49. well that's good news.

a silver lining. don't take away my klonopin!!

[OhioChick]

58. Give doctors a benzo drip

for a while, take it away and see if they prescribe them again.

[Blue Belle]

61. No shit.

I took Clonezapram for a sleep disorder. I slowly weened myself off of them because I didn't want to be on them any more. I've been off of them for a month and I haven't had an ounce of decent sleep since. I've tried everything - nothing works. I'm terribly frustrated.

[panader0]

8. Meth?

When you read about all these legal drugs causing so many problems, you have to ask yorself again why pot is illegal.

[havocmom]

16. I figure pot is illegal cuz it would make so many pricey drugs relics gatheing dust on shelves

Pot became illegal when booze was made legal again, wasn't it?

Stays illegal DESPITE all the good it has been shown to do for so many serious problems. Why? Big Pharma buys legislation that protects Big Pharma.

[Wizard777]

31. Before the Marijuana tax stamp act. Marijuana was a base for 85% of the countries medicines.

I had a friend who was a chemical engineer for a Pharmaceutical Company. He said his first job with the company as he was going through college. Was in the companies feilds picking marijuana.

[havocmom]

44. Interesting info. Thanks

one more tidbit to file away for days when one debates prohibitionist twits ;)

[elehhhhna]

56. and the other 15% was cocaine and opiates. TRUEFACT! OTC!

lol "the good old days".

[Wizard777]

71. Don't forget about Orange Sunshine Happy Pills (LSD) sold OTC.

[gatorboy]

9. Well what do you expect. The average time span for testing these drugs is six weeks.

[LostinVA]

15. Pseudoephedrine is the only allergy medicine I can take

And I take it daily.

Other allergy meds give me migraines. Luckily, there's no heart disease in my family and I don't have hypertension.

[Pavulon]

17. If you fly commercial it

is (last time i talked to a commercial pilot) one of the few you can take.

[Wizard777]

32. The Air Force gives Jet Pilots speed. I forget why. I think it's to help them with the G's.

But I could be wrong about that.

[Iris]

78. I think you can even take it when you're pregnant.

I wouldn't be able to survive without

[chelaque liberal]

18. Has anyone had trouble with Advair?

I used it for about 3 weeks and felt mildly nauseated most of that time which progressed to abdominal pain. I've been OK since I stopped taking it, against my doctor's advice. She said that it wasn't related and that I should keep using it.

I have had a chronic cough for 16 years that mostly happens around things like perfume-which is a problem being in public at all. I've had every test and tried every med combination that the doctors could think of but nothing helped until I tried Tussigan, a narcotic. I only need a little and it takes care of my problem. The doctor I had for the last few years was OK with that but he left the area and I have a new doctor who won't give it to me but is insisting I take Advair.

[azurnoir]

27. see post #31

[Th1onein]

39. Might try some L-arginine.

It increases inducible nitric oxide synthase, which increases GSNO in the lungs. The "NO" part of GSNO is what causes the lining of the lungs to relax, and opens the airways--same principle as Viagra.

[deaniac21]

65. Yeah, taking that narcotic long term will be good!

[The Doctor.]

19. That's the short list.

There are some real horrors about.

[1]

21. i love the disclaimers for the drug "abilify"...

i would so totally take this after watching their tv ad.

:sarcasm:

(and this is their actual ad, not some snl sketch)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdGfRAGoF-A

[faithfulcitizen]

23. sadly, it's still worth it to many as they would be psychotic without it.

[1]

25. really?

i cannot imagine a future that would allow me to take such a vile drug.

the fact that you tell me this is the best hope for someone out there shivers me to the bone...

god bless (i know, but get my hope) anyone that has to endure this...

[Wizard777]

33. If you have to spend 30 seconds of a commercial telling me not to take it.

You shouldn't be selling in the first place. I remember seeing a commercial for one drug. I can't remember the name of it. But one of the dangers was that it could cause your eyeballs to explode. :wow: Marijuana is illeagal why? Ah hell! Nevermind that. Heroin is illegal why? I mean dayum! Exploding eyeballs.......

[1]

35. ok...

i'm sorry, take it.

whatever...

[mopinko]

24. acupuncture? lower back pain?

geez, i hate this bullshit. guess what? celibrex is not intended for lower back pain. it is intended for arthritis, and other degenerative disease pain. and one study? yeah, there have been studies showing acupuncture works for some pain. there have been as many or more that have shown jack shit.

[azurnoir]

26. Advair is evil, evil I tell you

used it for a few days, it paralyzed my throat muscles, could not swallow, cough, or even gag for about 15 minutes after taking, and when that wore off I sounded like I was talking through helium for a while.

Chantix should be added to that list too.

[highplainsdem]

28. Lipitor and other statins.

http://www.spacedoc.net/

http://www.spacedoc.net/lipitor_thief_of_memory.html

[Romulox]

29. Welbutrin and Chantix as smoking cessation drugs! nt

[Wizard777]

34. Hmmmm.....Welbutrin or cancer? I'm going with cancer.

I would rather die than take Welbutrin again. That was worse than Nexium.

[kineneb]

81. Wellbutrin for depression- works for me

... but then treating clinical depression is an art not a science.

[windoe]

40. There are no such thing as side effects

there are just effects, and if one of them is beneficial, well that goes on the label, the harmful effects are in such fine print you need a microscope to read them. And try to figure out the dosage. :rant:

[dysfunctional press]

41. i'd add enbrel to that list.

a few dr.s have tried to put me on it- but i've refused.

[Beacool]

42. Thanks for the warning!!

I don't take any of these medications, but it's good to know their side effects anyway.

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

45. What about Accutane?

I'm kinda shocked the black labeled Accutane isn't on the list, it's nasty!!

[leftofthedial]

50. I take Prilosec daily

without it, I'd be dead by now, having long ago choked to death on my own bilious refluxia.

[DainBramaged]

51. Been taking Prilosec since 1989, and would probably have either

a hole in my stomach or stomach cancer without it.

[BlueIris]

52. I may have read that too fast, but I don't see Paxil on there.

The doctors I know stopped prescribing that shite years ago. I even had a drug rep tell me he won't push it anymore.

[Phred42]

53. My Doc stopped perscribing Lipator 5 years ago.

Even though my numbers were and are still high. Wouldn't tell me why

[AllieB]

80. Long term use of statins can cause stroke and muscle atrophy

My father has been on them for 25 years, and he has all kinds of issues as a result.

[Eurobabe]

55. #8, use a neti pot for sinus problems

I use one, and it really helps with sinus problems and keeping colds away. We'll see how well it works, my husband came down with a cold this past weekend, I been cleansing 2X a day since Sunday, hopefully I can avoid the damn thing.

I cannot take Sudafed, etc. because of a panic disorder. It makes my heart race.

[donco6]

66. Exactly the same problem with me. PAF -

premature atrial fibrillation. Also insomnia with Sudafed. Bad.

I use, not a neti pot, but the squeeze bottle every other morning. Works WONDERS for my allergies. I don't use anything else. Once you get use to it, it's a piece of cake. And it feels much more natural than the drugs.

My allergies weren't terribly bad, but it's worth a try.

[ToeBot]

57. Acupuncture as a substitute for celebrex? Yeah, that'll fly

Even if it were available, I doubt it would be a practical treatment for widespread arthritis. Maybe herbs, crystals and magnetic bracelets would work better.

[alfredo]

59. Vioxx is pretty nasty too. It sure helped my Arthritis, but I believe it was

what gave me an ulcer.

[hendo]

60. The article is a joke

Its poorly written and questionable..

1) Advair: "regular use of LABAs can increase the severity of an asthma attack. Because salmeterol is more widely prescribed than other LABAs, the danger is greater". So, if all LABAs have the same side effect, then salmeterol is not of any greater danger than any other one. Being more widely prescribed does not make it more dangerous for an individual, it just means that more people are taking it. Besides, they state in their commercials that "Advair may increase the chances of an asthma related death". What more do you want them to do. It's truth in advertising.


2) Avandia: "Avandia is now a last resort." So, basically people take it when nothing else works.

3) Celebrex: "Once nicknamed "super aspirin," Celebrex is now better known for its side effects than for its pain-relieving prowess.
-snip-
"What you don't want to do is stop swallowing Celebrex and begin knocking back ibuprofen, because regular use of high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. " So, we are screwed by even taking ibuprofen now?

4) Ketek: "In February 2007, the FDA limited the usage of Ketek to the treatment of pneumonia." So pretty much at that point, without Ketek, there are two other options. But, if you don't take one of them you will die from pneumonia anyways.

5/6) Prilosec/Nexium: "the FDA has investigated a suspected link between cardiac trouble and the acid-reflux remedies Prilosec and Nexium. In December 2007, the agency concluded that there was no "likely" connection." Personally I have taken Prilosec on and off for a couple years. no problems at all. And there is no likely connection. Come back and complain about it when there is one.

7) Visine: ""Visine gets the red out, but it does so by shrinking blood vessels, just like Afrin shrinks the vessels in your nose," says Thomas Steinemann, M.D" Umm, what did you all expect it to do. It takes away the redness, that is the quickest way to do that.
" Overuse of the active ingredient tetrahydrozoline can perpetuate the vessel dilating-and-constricting cycle and may cause even more redness." Read, "Overuse". So, its only bad if you abuse it. Any drug is bad if you abuse it.

8) Pseudoephedrine: "People with heart disease or hypertension should watch out for any legitimate drug that contains pseudoephedrine. See, pseudoephedrine doesn't just constrict the blood vessels in your nose and sinuses; it can also raise blood pressure and heart rate, setting the stage for vascular catastrophe." People with heart disease or hypertension need to watch out for a lot of legitimate drugs. However, pseudoephedrine only raises the risk of heart attack in people who are already prone to heart attacks.


Seriously though, there is enough to worry about without exaggerating risks. And if someone is not following the manufacturers suggested dosage on anything they are going to run into a problem.. That is not news.

[deaniac21]

67. Hear, hear!!

[trotsky]

73. heh

To that I can only say, even though you've been here awhile, "Welcome to DU!"

We have a rather large subset that just lives to dump on evidence-based medicine and much more readily accepts anecdotal evidence on an anonymous message board over ANYTHING announced by the FDA, CDC, NIH, or even WHO.

But thanks for your post!

[deaniac21]

64. There appears to be a little pharmaceutical Calvinism going on

hear. All drugs have possible side effects in small percentages of people. Advair, for one, is a miracle drug that helps asthmatics avoid much stronger systemically absorbed steroids.

[WindRiverMan]

68. Celebrex - hmmmmm, think I will keep taking it

I have a pars fracture of the lumbar spine, basically means, I snapped off the little bones that hold the big one in place. End result = sloppy spine that moves and compresses spinal cord causing sever sciatica and numbness down leg and into small toes.

I have two options at age 36 spinal fusion which means risky back surgery and then arthritis and degeneration in disks above and below the fusion, which will result in more fuison


or...............

Cortizone injections and Celebrex when needed.

I know it has bad side effects, and I try to take it only when Advil and exercise dont eliminate the bulk of the pain.

You have to weigh the risks and benefits in everyting, drugs included.

[Th1onein]

70. I like good old DMSO and ibuprofen for inflammation.

Stuff works very well. No side effects.

[AlCzervik]

69. Advair made my 10 year old niece have seizures.

[Buzz Clik]

74. Cod liver oil.