Although the Physician’s Desk Reference sits on the desk of almost every doctor, it may be dusty from neglect. And if your doctor continues to prescribe the same drugs year after year without checking out his PDR or keeping up with breaking research on newly discovered dangers for commonly-prescribed drugs, your doctor could accidentally send you home with a prescription that could be deadly. Some old, formerly trusted drugs are so dangerous doctors say they wouldn’t take them. Are the deadly drugs in your medicine cabinet? Here’s a list of drugs docs say they wouldn’t take:
1.Advair.
When used regularly, an ingredient in Advair called salmeterol can increase the severity of asthma attacks. Researchers estimate it may contribute to as many as 5,000 deaths related to asthma in the U.S. each year. In 2006, the FDA added a “black box” warning to Advair, the organization’s highest warning. Safer alternatives include inhaled corticosteroids or inhaled corticosteroids coupled with a leukotriene modifier such as Singular to help control inflammation and the production of mucous.
Avandia. Recent studies have shown that Avandia, which is an oral medication used to control type 2 diabetes, increases the risk of a heart attack. People who took Avandia (also known as rosiglitazone) for a year increased their risk of heart failure by 109 percent and heart attack by 42 percent. A safe, cheaper alternative to Avandia is metformin (One brand is Glucophage). You might also speak to your doctor about taking statin drugs to lower your cholesterol or the vitamin B niacin, which can raise good (HDL) cholesterol levels as it lowers bad (LDL) cholesterol.
2.Celebrex.
Once prescribed to treat inflammation and pain, especially for those with arthritis, studies have shown that people who take 200 mg of Celebrex twice a day more than double their chances of dying from cardiovascular disease. In addition, Celebrex is linked to liver damage, kidney problems, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen could be safer alternatives, they, too, have been liked to intestinal bleeding. Consider acupuncture instead. German scientists found that treatments twice a week were twice as effective as conventional treatment plans, including drugs, physical therapy, and exercise.
3.Ketek.
Although an effective antibiotic for respiratory infections, Ketek puts patients at a higher risk of severe liver problems than other antibiotics. If you have a severe infection, such as pneumonia, and your doctor prescribes Ketek, ask for a safer alternative such as doxycycline or Zithromax.
Nexium and Prilosec. Researchers are investigating a link between these acid-reflux medications and heart attacks, but there are more reasons to avoid these two meds. They reduce acid so effectively that you may have an elevated risk of pneumonia (from bacteria and viruses that stomach acids would have killed) and an increased risk of bone loss. Instead, try Pepcid AC or Zantac 150.
Also, losing weight can keep excess belly fat from putting pressure on the valve that lets stomach acid leak into your esophagus.
4.Pseudoephedrine.
This decongestant, which has been linked to stroke and heart disease, can raise your heart rate and blood pressure – potentially dangerous for people with high blood pressure or heart disease. In addition, pseudoephedrine can increase symptoms of glaucoma and benign prostate disease.
...(courtesy from Newsmax.com Health Alerts)
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