When Drugs Cause Problems They Are Supposed to Prevent

[groovedaddy]

In the past month, the Food and Drug Administration has concluded that in some cases two types of drugs that were supposed to be preventing serious medical problems were, in fact, causing them.

One is bisphosphonates, which is widely used to prevent the fractures, especially of the hip and spine, that are common in people with osteoporosis. Those drugs, like Fosamax, Actonel and Boniva, will now have to carry labels saying they can lead to rare fractures of the thigh bone, a surprising new discovery that came after another surprise — that they can cause a rare degeneration of the jawbone.

The other is Avandia, which is widely prescribed for diabetics, whose disease puts them at risk for heart attacks and heart failure. Two-thirds of diabetics die of heart problems, and a main reason for taking drugs like Avandia is to protect them from that.

But now the F.D.A. and drug regulators in Europe are restricting Avandia’s use because it appears to increase heart risks.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/health/policy/17drug.html?th&emc=th

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. the most common blood pressure med

causes tinnitis, along with other problems.

Much better to exercise more, drink less, and cut salt out of your diet.

[evirus]

3. thats all well and good but....

I'd doubt that a all people how have a high blood pressure problem is either that way due to their diet or doesn't have the option to change their diet for some reason. sure you should only take drugs if you need them but to paint the world of biology with a broad brush of "nurture over nature" isn't all that helpful. especially if the advice your giving is going to one of those people who try changing their diet and getting more exercise but still have blood pressure problems.

and in regards to the "contradictory side effect" issue of some drugs these days we focus on drugs that "tweak" the way cells operate either by regulating the release of hormones or using substances that are chemically similar to hormones that they activate chemical pathways useful for leading to a desired result. but everything in moderation, water and salt for instance is good in moderation, but if you take to much of either and not enough of the other the consequences can be deadly.

[truedelphi]

2. Thank you for posting. n/t