Calcium Channel Blocker Drug Interactions (May 2008)
This article lists more than 60 prescription drugs that can interact with calcium channel blocking drugs such as amlodipine (NORVASC),diltiazem (CARDIZEM, DILACOR XR TIAZAC)or nifedipine (PROCARDIA)to either cause toxicity or to lessen the effectiveness of the calcium channel blocking drugs. Included in the lists are a number of drugs that we list in Worst Pills, Best Pills as DO NOT USE or LIMITED USE drugs. The article also explains the different kinds of toxicity that can ensue from these interactions.
Nine Reasons Why Older Adults Are More Likely Than Younger Adults to Have Adverse Drug Reactions (May 2008)
Older patients are especially at increased risk for adverse drug reactions because of age-related factors.
The article reviews nine reasons why this is the case and discusses what you can do about these often-preventable adverse reactions. Increasing awareness of this problem should result in the prescription of far fewer drugs to older adults, and those that are prescribed will be given at lower doses in most instances.
Do Not Use Modafinil (PROVIGIL) Except For Narcolepsy (May 2008)
Provigil, an amphetamine-like drug, has been illegally promoted by its manufacturer for treating many conditions for which there is no evidence that its benefits outweigh its risks.Thus, a large proportion of prescriptions for this top-200 selling drug are for off-label or unapproved uses. The article reviews some of the adverse reactions from Provigil and discusses alternative treatments for some of these unapproved uses.
Serotonin Syndrome Due to Drug Interactions (April 2008)
The article lists more than 30 prescription drugs that can cause the serotonin syndrome. The families of these serotonergic drugs include anti-depressants, certain herbal supplements, painkillers and antibiotics. Because serotonin syndrome can progress rapidly and can be life-threatening in severe cases, it is important that patients and health professionals be aware of this condition and the drugs that can cause it. Serotonin syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because many of the symptoms — such as agitation, fast heart rate, fever, sweating, flushing and the like — are nonspecific. However, there are more specific symptoms, which mainly involve the nerves and muscles. For example, patients with serotonin syndrome often experience muscle jerks (called myoclonus), especially in the legs, and this symptom by itself may be enough to make the diagnosis. Other neuromuscular effects of serotonin syndrome include muscle rigidity, overactive reflexes and tremors. A recent change in drug therapy is an important clue for identifying the onset of serotonin syndrome, including the recent addition of a serotonergic drug to a patient’s medication regimen, an increase in the dose of a serotonergic drug or the simultaneous use of two or more drugs that interact to increase the blood levels of a serotonergic drug.
Drug-Induced Eye Toxicity: 62 Drugs That Can Cause Eye Disease (April 2008)
This article, based on a recent review in Drug Safety, lists 62 prescription drugs that can cause eye disease. The range of drug-induced eye diseases includes diseases of the eyelids, glaucoma, cataracts, retinal damage and optic nerve damage. As is true for drug-induced diseases in other parts of the body, you should consider newly developed eye symptoms beginning shortly after starting a new medication to be possibly drug-induced and consult a physician.
Advice for Patients: Denture Cleansers (April 2008)
Allergic reactions to a component of denture cleansers - persulfates - can occur with both proper and improper use of denture cleansers and can be delayed. Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include: irritation, rash, hives, gum tenderness, breathing problems and low blood pressure.
Avoiding Overuse of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (March 2008)
This article reviews evidence for the international epidemic of overuse of proton pump inhibitors (PPI),
drugs used to treat ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). There were 70 million prescriptions filled in U.S. pharmacies in 2006 for the four leading PPI drugs: esomeprazole (NEXIUM), lansoprazole (PREVACID), pantoprazole (PROTONIX) and rabeprazole (ACIPHIX). Find out about several serious side effects of these drugs such as increased community-acquired pneumonia, increased hip fractures and acute kidney inflammation. Learn about alternatives to using PPIs.
FDA and Drug Makers Should Have Warned Public Earlier About Zetia, Vytorin (March 2008)
Find out why Worst Pills warned against the use of VYTORIN more than three years ago. Also, learn about new evidence showing that despite the fact that this drug lowers cholesterol, there is no evidence that it prevents heart attacks or strokes (though massive misleading advertising would have you believe otherwise).
Ibuprofen Can Reduce Aspirin’s Protective Effect Against Heart Attacks and Strokes (March 2008)
This article explains the dangers of using ibuprofen (MOTRIN, ADVIL) because it interferes with the protective effect of low-dose aspirin to prevent blood clots and protect against heart attacks or strokes. Find out how these two widely-used therapies have a harmful interaction and what you should do.
Medical Records: Q&A (March 2008)
This article reviews such topics as: Why should I have my medical record? Am I entitled to my medical record? Who has access to my medical record? Can a provider deny me access to my record? What if I change health care providers, or my provider has moved or gone out of business? What happens to my record if my provider dies?
Public Citizen Launches New Blog (March 2008)
Public Citizen’s communications office launched “Citizen Vox” in February as the organization’s latest tool in spreading the word about its mission of protecting health, safety and democracy. Check out www.CitizenVox.org.
Congress Must Act Quickly to Address Growing Crisis At the Food and Drug Administration
(February 27, 2008)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is suffering from a crisis in leadership, a lack of congressional oversight and a dangerous reliance on the pharmaceutical industry to bankroll its operations, Sidney M. Wolfe, M.D., director of the Health Research Group at Public Citizen told a House of Representatives subcommittee this morning.
View the entire May 2008 issue in PDF format
