Top ten prescribed drugs and their side effects
At FIT Weight Loss our goal is to help you achieve the weight loss you desire. When asked about our appetite suppressants and their side effects we realized that most of our patients were already taking at least one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in America, but were unaware of the potential side effects of those drugs. Most prescribed drugs have a long list of possible side effects, some of them you might be unlikely to experience, but most of the side effects are felt by those taking them. Then add a second prescription and the side effects and contraindications increase dramatically.
Our goal is to help you lose the weight with a healthy weight loss plan that works. Along the road to your goal weight, we hope that you will be able to reduce the amount of prescription drugs needed and perhaps eliminate them all together. If your weight is lowered, a lot of the prescription drugs can be discontinued. It does not take much of a weight loss to significantly change dependence on some prescription drugs.
Just losing 5% to 7% of your body weight or 11 to 15 pounds, reduces the risk of Type 2 Diabetes by 58%. This confirms earlier research showing that diet and exercise can substantially delay the development of Type 2 Diabetes in people at risk for the disease.
Even losing about 20 pounds over 10 years reduces the risk of diabetes by 33% over the next 10 years. A simple two-pound weight loss results in a slightly lower risk.
In another study called Trials of Hypertension Prevention, overweight people randomly assigned to weight-loss intervention, who lost as few as 10 pounds over six months--and maintained the loss over 2 years--experienced significant reductions in blood pressure and fewer of them were subsequently diagnosed with high blood pressure than those not losing weight.
If you are overweight or obese, you are more likely to develop health problems. These problems include:
Heart Disease and Hypertension
Diabetes
Cancer
Sleep Apnea
Arthritis
It is now believed that being overweight is one of the biggest contributors to Sleep Apnea. Not getting a good night’s sleep, it is believed, contributes or causes over 90% of diseases, including increased weight gain and obesity. It is a vicious cycle. Gain some weight, don’t sleep well at night, then gain some more weight and sleep even less. Develop other diseases due to your weight and lack of sleep and now you are on several medications to control all that is wrong.
If you can find a healthy weight loss plan like ours that makes it easy to lose the weight, you will start sleeping better and start reducing the effects of many of these diseases and be able to reduce the prescription drugs you take.
It is no coincidence that a lot of the top ten prescribed drugs listed below are used to treat the above list of diseases caused by weight gain and poor sleeping.
Our appetite suppressant has some mild side effects but once you lose the weight you stop taking the suppressant as you will have learned how to live a healthy life style and keep the weight off.
This list of prescribed drugs taken by most people is found below. Not only do you have the known side effects to put up with, but it is not yet known what the long term effects are of being on these drugs for the rest of your life. It has been shown recently that the more you use the medical system, the fewer years you live. Could it possibly be due to the dangers of long term prescription drug use? Are we being prescribed and diagnosed to death?
So take a look at the side effects and put in perspective the benefits of our program and get on the road to a healthier and slimmer you.
TOP PRESCRIBED DRUGS and SIDE EFFECTS
Lipitor, Pravachol, Zocor and Mevacor (called statin drugs used for high cholesterol and now used for diabetes too). Statin Drugs hinder the liver’s ability to produce cholesterol, and strips the body of CoQ 10 which is an essential nutrient for heart strength and function. Liptor and other statin drugs work by blocking the enzyme that your liver needs to produce cholesterol. Although Lipitor has limited effect on HDL (good) cholesterol, it does succeed in lowering your LDL cholesterol. However, side effects of Lipitor can be very serious, and doctors should be more cautious when prescribing it for their patients. In addition to the side effects common to most prescription medications such as headaches, nausea and fever, other problems with Lipitor can be much more serious. FACT: An FDA approved statin called Baycol was recently pulled off the market due to serious side effects and even deaths. Two of the most troubling potential side effects of Lipitor include extreme muscle pain and muscle disease (statin induced myopathy), and serious liver problems. In addition to serious muscle and liver problems much research has shown that side effects of Lipitor could include sexual dysfunction and performance problems, as well as memory loss, personality changes and irritability.
Lisinopril (an Ace inhibitor for high blood pressure and diabetes and congestive heart failure). 1,800 Side Effects posted for Lisinopril visit this web site http://www.medications.com/se/lisinopril to find out first hand experience. Lisinopril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors. ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme.Lisinopril is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure, and to improve survival after a heart attack. Lisinopril could cause birth defects in the baby if you take the medication during pregnancy. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can further lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of lisinopril. Do not use salt substitutes or potassium supplements while taking lisinopril, unless your doctor has told you to. Vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating can cause you to become dehydrated. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure while you are taking lisinopril. Drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.
Hydrocodone/APAP (a narcotic pain reliever..you know it as Vicodin) Brand Name: TUSSIONEX. Generic ingredients: Hydrocodone polistirex, Chlorpheniramine polistirex. Side effects may include: addiction, allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives), anxiety, blood in stool or vomit, bruising, cold, clammy skin, constipation, decreased appetite, decreased mental and physical performance, decreased sex drive, difficulty breathing, difficulty urinating, dizziness, drowsiness, dry throat, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dry mouth, emotional dependence, exaggerated feeling of depression, extreme calm (sedation), exaggerated sense of well-being or fear, gas, headache, hoarseness, indigestion, itching, lightheadedness, mental clouding, mood changes, nausea, muscle twitches, rash, restlessness, ringing in the ears, sedation, seizures, severe weakness or dizziness, shortness of breath, slow, weak breathing, sluggishness, tightness in chest, stomach cramps, stomach pain, sweating, swelling of hands, face, lips, eyes, throat,, tongue, or ankles, tiredness, unconsciousness, unusual fatigue, vomiting, yellowing of the skin or eyes. Special warnings about this medication: Tussionex contains a mild narcotic that can cause dependence and tolerance when the drug is used for several weeks.
Atenolol ( a beta blocker used for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and migraine) Side Effect may include: Diarrhea; dizziness; feeling of a whirling motion; headache; lack of energy; lightheadedness; mild drowsiness; nausea; unusual tiredness. Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Atenolol/Chlorthalidone: Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); difficulty breathing; drowsiness; dry mouth; infrequent urination; lethargy; low blood pressure; muscle pain or cramps; muscle tiredness; nausea; rapid or irregular heartbeat; restlessness; thirst; very slow heartbeat; vomiting; weakness.
Hydrocholorothiazide (a diuretic mainly used for high blood pressure, Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention. ) Side effects include: Weakness, dizziness, or a spinning sensation (vertigo), Low blood pressure (hypotension), Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach cramps, Increased blood sugar (hyperglycemia), Electrolyte imbalances, including low blood sodium (hyponatremia), low blood potassium (hypokalemia), and low blood chloride (hypochloremia), Sensitivity to the sun, Muscle spasm, Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), Hair loss (see Hydrochlorothiazide and Hair Loss), Erectile dysfunction, also referred to as ED or impotence (see Hydrochlorothiazide Sexual Side Effects, Unexplained swelling of the head or neck (including the face, lips, tongue, or throat), Unexplained skin rash, Itching, Unexplained blisters or peeling of the skin, Wheezing, Difficulty breathing or swallowing, Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting spells, Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice), Decrease in the amount of urine produced, Dry mouth, Increased thirst, Weakness, Tiredness, Restlessness, Seizures, Confusion, Muscle pain or cramps, Nausea or vomiting, Weak or irregular heartbeat.
Synthroid: Generic Name: levothyroxine (a thyroid replacement). Synthroid is a replacement for a hormone that is normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Synthroid is given when the thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own. Side Effects: People who are treated with levothyroxine may initially lose some hair, but this effect is usually temporary. You may have an allergic reaction such as a rash or hives. Children may have an increase in pressure within the skull. Excessive dosage or a too rapid increase in dosage may lead to overstimulation of the thyroid gland. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop any of the following symptoms. Symptoms of overstimulation: Abdominal cramps, anxiety, changes in appetite, change in menstrual periods, chest pain, diarrhea, emotional instability, fatigue, fever, flushing, hair loss, headache, heart attack or failure, heat intolerance, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, irregular heartbeat, irritability, muscle weakness, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, weight loss.
Furosemide (a diuretic called used for congestive heart failure) BRAND NAME(S): Delone, Detue, Lasix. WARNING: This is a very potent medication. Using too much of this drug can lead to serious water and mineral loss. Side Effects: Dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, blurred vision, loss of appetite, stomach upset, diarrhea, or constipation may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. This medication may lead to excessive loss of body water and minerals (including potassium). Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of dehydration or mineral loss: muscle cramps or weakness, confusion, severe dizziness, drowsiness, unusual dry mouth or thirst, nausea or vomiting, fast/irregular heartbeat, unusual decrease in the amount of urine, fainting, seizures. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: numbness/tingling of the arms/legs, ringing in the ears, hearing loss. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), easy bleeding or bruising, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing of eyes/skin. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash
, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Norvasc (a calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure and angina) Generic Name: amlodipine. Side Effects: Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as: feeling like you might pass out; swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet; chest pain; slow, fast, or pounding heartbeats; easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling; or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).Less serious Norvasc side effects may include: headache; drowsiness, depression, nervousness; dizziness, spinning sensation; warmth or redness under your skin; nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, loss of appetite; diarrhea, constipation; urinating more than usual; sleep problems (insomnia); strange dreams; mild skin rash or itching; joint or muscle pain; dry mouth, thirst, increased sweating
; or weight changes. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
Metformin (used for diabetes and polycystic ovary called glucophage). BRAND NAME: Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet. Metformin is an oral medication that lowers blood glucose (sugar) and is used for treating type 2 diabetes. Side Effects: The most common side effects with metformin are nausea, vomiting, gas, bloating, diarrhea and loss of appetite. These symptoms occur in one out of every three patients. A serious but rare side effect of metformin is lactic acidosis. Lactic acidosis occurs in one out of every 30,000 patients and is fatal in 50% of cases. The symptoms of lactic acidosis are weakness, trouble breathing, abnormal heartbeats, unusual muscle pain, stomach discomfort, light-headedness and feeling cold. Patients at risk for lactic acidosis include those with reduced function of the kidneys or liver, congestive heart failure, severe acute illnesses, and dehydration
.
Toprol XL (a beta blocker used for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure)Metoprolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins). Side Effects: Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: slow or uneven heartbeats; feeling light-headed, fainting; feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion; swelling of your ankles or feet; nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); depression; cold feeling in your hands and feet. Less serious side effects may include: vomiting; decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; sleep problems (insomnia); tired feeling; or anxiety, nervousness. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.