|
|
|
|
|
|
Common Drugs and Their Uses
The five drugs that are discussed in this article are Ibuprofen
which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is
commonly used for relief of Arthritis, Warfarin which is an
anticoagulant drug commonly prescribed by doctors to treat
venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, to treat or prevent
dangerous blood clotting in people with arterial fibrillation
and to prevent strokes, a benzodiazepine drug called Diazepam
which is commonly prescribed by doctors for relieve nervousness,
anxiety, and anxiety disorders, a sulfonylureas drug called
Glipizide which is used to help control blood sugar levels and
used to treat type 2 diabetes and a thyroid medication called
Armour Thyroid which is prescribed for the treatment of
hypothyroidism.
Arthritis is a common illness in today's society; doctors
prescribe drugs called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) for this condition. A common NSAID is Ibuprofen which
reduces inflammation, pain and high temperature and is used
widely to relieve the symptoms of arthritis. Ibuprofen is
available in prescription and nonprescription. As well as
rheumatoid arthritis, Ibuprofen is used to treat mild to
moderate pain, primary dysmenorrhoea, osteoarthritis, menstrual
cramps, bursitis, gout, migraine headaches and fever.
NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen can cause gastrointestinal (GI)
irritation, bleeding, iron loss and kidney dysfunction and
increased blood potassium levels, especially in older people.
Ibuprofen may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision
especially when taken with alcohol.
Ibuprofen has adverse results when taken with lithium, sodium
and white willow.
Lithium a mineral which is commonly prescribe to treat manic
depression, many NSAID's stop the excretion of lithium from the
body which results in higher blood lithium levels which in tern
can create unwanted side effects and interferes with efficacy.
NSAID's should be taken with caution for those people who are
taking lithium whether in supplement form or for mood disorders.
It is wise to reduce salt intake when taking Ibuprofen because
Ibuprofen may cause sodium and water retention.
People who are taking the herb white willow should be aware
that links have been made that white willow reduces the blood
level of NSAID's.
Warfarin is an anticoagulant drug commonly used to treat venous
thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, treat or prevent dangerous blood
clotting in people with arterial fibrillation and to prevent
stroke.
Coenzyme Q10, Green tea, Iron, Magnesium, St. John's wort,
Vitamin C and Zinc should be avoid when taking Warfarin as they
can reduced drug absorption/ bioavailability. Also American
ginseng, Asian ginseng, Cranberry, Dan shen, Devil's claw, Dong
quai, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Ginkgo biloba, Horse chestnut,
Lycium barbarum, Papain, Quilinggao, Quinine, Red clover,
Reishi, Sweet clover, Sweet woodruff, Vitamin D and Vitamin K
should be avoided as they can cause dangerous or undesirable
results.
The long term of heavy drinking of alcohol can affect the
efficiency of warfarin and also certain foods such as broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, kale, parsley, spinach, which contain high
amounts of vitamin K, can interfere with the effectiveness and
safety of warfarin.
Known side effects of warfarin are difficulty breathing, closing
of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, face, hives, black,
bloody, or
tarry stools, blood in urine or vomit, coughing up
blood, bleeding gums or sores in the mouth, decreased urine
production, yellowing of the skin or eyes, severe dizziness or
headache, easy bleeding or bruising under the skin, purple
discoloration of the toes or fingers, sudden leg or foot pain,
unusually heavy menstrual periods, excessive gas or bloating,
diarrhoea, nausea, or vomiting, hair loss and decreased appetite
or weight.
Diazepam is commonly used to relieve nervousness, anxiety, and
anxiety disorders. It is in a class of drugs called
benzodiazepines which effect chemicals in the brain. People can
become physically and psychologically dependent on diazepam, it
is habit forming and withdrawal effects can occur when stopped.
Diazepam can cause dizziness and drowsiness, alcohol can make
these symptoms worst.
Diazepam can harm unborn babies and can be passed into breast
milk. Known side effects of Diazepam are an allergic reaction,
sores in the mouth or throat, yellowing of the skin or eye, a
rash, hallucinations or severe confusion, changes in vision,
drowsiness, dizziness, clumsiness, depression, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhoea, constipation, difficulty urinating, vivid dreams,
headache, dry mouth, decreased sex drive and changes in
behaviour.
Glipizide is a sulfonylurea drug which is used to help control
blood sugar levels and used to treat type 2 diabetes. Known side
effects of glipizide are severe headaches in children, skin rash
or hives, signs and symptoms of overdose, chest pain, confusion,
fast or irregular heartbeat, mood swings, muscle weakness,
psychosis, extreme restlessness, yellow eyes or skin, shortness
of breath, changes in appetite, changes in menstrual periods,
diarrhoea, fever, hand tremors, headache, increased sensitivity
to heat, irritability, leg cramps, nervousness, sweating,
trouble in sleeping, vomiting and weight loss.
Adverse reaction can take place when Glipizide is taken together
with fenugreek and Ginkgo biloba. Fenugreek has been proved in
studies to reduce blood glucose levels in people with type 2
diabetes and ginkgo biloba worsened glucose tolerance in people
who took oral anti-diabetes medication.
Thyroid medication are used for the treatment of hypothyroidism
and are either synthetic or animal-derived hormones, Armour
Thyroid is a common example of thyroid medication. Calcium and
Soya may reduce drug absorption and bioavailability within the
body, bugleweed and lemon balm cause adverse reaction when taken
with thyroid medication.
Thyroid medication has been known to increase loss of calcium
from the body through urine and calcium has been known to reduce
the effectiveness of certain thyroid medication. Soya being
taken at the same time as thyroid medication has been known to
reduce it abilities.
Bugleweed and lemon balm should not be used with thyroid
medication as it is known that they interfere with the action of
thyroid hormones.
In conclusion, it is important for a Nutritional Therapist to
ask patients what medication has been prescribed for them and to
research these medications so that they know what side effects
are caused by these and what supplement and food types can be
used without causing further negative effects.
About the author:
Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh
Advice for a healthier natural life
website: http://www.newbeingnutrition.com
|
|
|
|
|
|