Advair
This medication for asthma contains the long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) salmeterol which a 2006 analysis of 19 trials, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that 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 — the researchers estimate that salmeterol may contribute to as many as 5,000 asthma-related deaths in the United States each year. In 2006, similarly disturbing findings from an earlier salmeterol study prompted the FDA to tag Advair with a “black box” warning — the agency’s highest caution level.
Avandia
A study found that people who took rosiglitazone, better known by the brand name Avandia, for at least a year increased their risk of heart failure or a heart attack by 109 percent and 42 percent, respectively.
Celebrex
Once nicknamed “super aspirin,” Celebrex is now better known for its side effects than for its pain-relieving prowess. The drug has been linked to increased risks of stomach bleeding, kidney trouble, and liver damage. But according to a 2005 study, the biggest threat is to your heart. People taking 200 mg of Celebrex twice a day more than doubled their risk of dying of cardiovascular disease. Those on 400 mg twice a day more than tripled their risk.
Ketek
Most bacteria in the lungs and sinuses don’t stand a chance against Ketek, but you might not either. This antibiotic, which has traditionally been prescribed for respiratory-tract infections, carries a higher risk of severe liver side effects than similar antibiotics do. Ketek can cause heart-rhythm problems, can lead to liver disease, and could interact poorly with other medications.
Prilosec and Nexium
This heartburn medication is suspected to have a link to cardiac trouble.
It raises the risk of pneumonia and also bone loss.
Visine Original
This eye drop gets the eye redness out by shrinking blood vessels but overuse of the active ingredient tetrahydrozoline can perpetuate the vessel dilating-and-constricting cycle and may cause even more redness.
Pseudoephedrine
This decongestant, found in many drugs raises blood pressure and heart rate, setting the stage for vascular catastrophe. Over the years, pseudoephedrine has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. It can also worsen symptoms of benign prostate disease and glaucoma.
Source: MSN Health & Fitness
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Chapter: Health ::
25 July 2008
