Nowadays, almost every prescription and over-the-counter drug on the market sports a warning label of potential side effects. Thats because pharmaceutical companies are all about raking in HUGE profits, which means whats best for your health is likely to take a backseat!
Reports show five out of six Americans age 65 or older take at least one prescription medication. And nearly half take at least three prescriptions or more!
But the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) kindly informs you of drug dangers and side effects by slapping black box warningsthe agencys highest risk levelon the labels of more than 430 medications!
Lets look at 12 of the riskiest prescription drugs, or what you might call The Deadly Dozen.
Lipitor®, Zocor®, Pravachol®, Zetia®, Vytorin®, Crestor®These cholesterol drugs, or statins, claim to help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and raise your good HDL. But they have been linked to kidney failure decreased CoQ10 levels potential liver damage kidney and heart muscle damage and immune deficiency, just to name a few!
Norvasc®This drug claims to help control high blood pressure, chest pain and unclog your arteries for 24 hours straight. But it has been linked to low blood pressure, extreme dizziness and decreased libido!
Toprol XL®, Zebeta®These are the brand names of a class of beta-blockers, which claim to treat high blood pressure and increase blood circulation, but have been known to cause irregular heartbeat fainting or dizzy spells increased depression and numbness in the hands and feet!
Zoloft®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Wellbutrin®, Lexapro®These antipsychotics or anti-depressants have been linked to worsening depression migraines digestive troubles and an increased mental decline in Alzheimers patients!
Cirpo®, Zithromax®, Keflex® (amoxicillin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, tetracycline)These popular antibiotics are intended to treat bacterial infections. But they also rid your body of GOOD bacteriaand make you a sitting duck for digestive problems!
Vioxx®, Bextra®, Celebrex®These COX-2 inhibitors, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat arthritis. However, due to their dangerous side effects related to heart attack and stroke, Vioxx® and Bextra® were pulled from the market. Celebrex® escaped this fate by adding a black box warning!
Coumadin® (warfarin)This blood thinner is intended to increase circulation and break down blood clots. But, according to the FDA black box warningit can cause major or fatal internal bleeding!
Fosamax®, Actonel®These osteoporosis drugs claim to maintain bone health. But the latest reports indicate patientsmainly womendouble the risk of developing heart conditions! Plus they have been linked to jaw bone disintegration, severe muscle pain, digestive problems and migraines!
Detrol®, Ditropan®These drugs are prescribed for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. But they have been linked to chest pain weight gain hallucinations painful urination (if any at all!) dizziness migraines and joint pain!
Proscar®, Flomax®These drugs are used to treat enlarged prostate. But reports show significant results are delayed by up to six months. And the side effects include an increased risk of developing abnormal prostate cells reduced libido swelling in hands and feet severe pain in the testicles and even impotence!
Actos®, Avandia®These drugs claim to help Type 2 diabetes patients control blood sugar levels by reducing insulin resistance. But both have FDA black box warnings of side effects ranging from shortness of breath, rapid weight gain and chest pain to an increased risk of heart attack and potential liver failure!
Prilosec®, Nexium®, Prevacid®These proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) claim to treat the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). But theyve been shown to increase the amount of acid in your stomach! Plus, these purple pills can cause depression increase your risk for pancreatitis cause liver damage increase joint pain and more!
This is just a brief list of the dangerousand possibly deadlyrisks associated with expensive prescriptions and over-the-counter medications. When deciding whats best for your health, be sure to check out natural and safe alternatives with your physician. It could mean all the difference in protecting your priceless body and mind!