The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved revisions to safety labeling for a list of drugs found to pose increased health risks.
Among the drugs is over-the-counter medication Pepcid, taken to relieve heartburn associated with acid indigestion and sour stomach. Specifically, the FDA has approved revisions to the safety labeling -- for both Pepcid AC and Pepcid Complete -- to include:
Pepcid should not be used in patients experiencing difficult or painful swallowing, vomiting with blood, or bloody or tarry stools
Pepcid should not be used concurrently with other acid reducers
Other Revised Safety Labels
Altace, used to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death, now warns of the risk of intestinal angioedema (abdominal pain with or without nausea or vomiting) in patients treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Wellbutrin XL, used to help provide relief for those suffering from depression, now warns of the dose-related risk of seizures linked to its use.
Levaquin, used to treat lung, sinus, skin and urinary tract infections caused by certain germs or bacteria, now includes information from animal studies showing a possible risk of arthropathy (a joint disease) associated with its use.
Medscape January 19, 2005 (Free Registration Required)
The FDA took a step in the right direction by adding these additional warnings. While drug labels will include some of the potentially harmful interactions, you cannot depend on them to cover every single one (and many people do not take the time to read the label anyway.) Even inactive ingredients, which are labeled "inactive" by the FDA because they presumably have no effect on the body, can indeed be problematic.
Many medications contain preservatives and additives that may surprise you. The most deadly has been the neurotoxic poison mercury, which had been disguised in most all vaccines as thimerosol until the year 2000. However, it still remains in nearly all the flu vaccines. Other examples include such items as artificial dyes, caffeine and sweeteners like aspartame. So you will want to be sure to read the inactive ingredients on the label -- along with the active ingredient section -- to be sure you are aware of exactly what you are consuming.
Additionally, certain foods, drugs, herbs, vitamins and your own existing medical conditions could potentially create a formula for a harmful reaction. For instance, if you have high blood pressure you could have an adverse reaction if you concurrently take a nasal decongestant. The best way to find out about these potential interactions would be to talk to a doctor or pharmacist; however, since many OTC drugs are sold in grocery stores, convenient stores -- even gas stations -- there isn't always a knowledgeable person available to answer your questions.
The Bottom Line
All drugs carry the risk of side effects. Whether they're prescribed by a doctor or bought over the counter does not make a difference in this risk. That is why my best advice to you is to avoid using drugs whenever possible. Instead, it is best to solve the root problem, and studies have proven that time and time again. You can use the search engine on this site to find simple inexpensive practical and non-toxic solutions for your health challenges.
Take Pepcid for example. This heartburn medication is just one of a popular group of acid-suppressives that can often cause more problems than they solve: A recent study found that taking these drugs could increase your risk of pneumonia, for instance.
See, when you are using the wrong solution for a problem, there is a high likelihood you may have unwanted and even unexpected complications or side effects. So what is the right solution?
"Just Say No" to Drug Solutions
I encourage you to commit to adopting a diet that is truly healthy for you, and to optimizing your emotional health -- instead of relying on drugs. These two factors (the foods you put into your body and your emotional well being) have absolutely everything to do with building your immune system so you can prevent disease and premature aging and optimize your weight so you can avoid unnecessary pharmaceuticals.
This is no "quick fix," but rather is a lifestyle change that will be well worth the effort. Here is a list of resources to get you started, and you can find all the details of my full program that will set you free from the "pill-taking" life and give you ultimate control of your health in my book, Total Health Program:
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Questions Arise on U.S. Drug Policy Seven Common Misconceptions About Tylenol and Other OTC Drugs How Could Drug Companies be so Evil? Modern Health Care System is the Leading Cause of Death FDA is "Virtually Incapable of Protecting You From Unsafe Drugs" Are You Caught in the Drug Trap? Find Out How to be Set Free From a Drug-Controlled Life
Questions Arise on U.S. Drug Policy
Seven Common Misconceptions About Tylenol and Other OTC Drugs
How Could Drug Companies be so Evil?
Modern Health Care System is the Leading Cause of Death
FDA is "Virtually Incapable of Protecting You From Unsafe Drugs"
Are You Caught in the Drug Trap? Find Out How to be Set Free From a Drug-Controlled Life