Long-Term Aspirin Use Linked to Cataracts

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http://64.4.26.250/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN & lah=810e6b0cc36ebb319d03fb08cc42be6f & \lat=1097281287 & hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fwww%2emercola%2ecom%2f2004%2foct%2f6%2fv\ioxx_recall%2ehtmLong-Term Aspirin Use Linked to CataractsProlonged aspirin use may raise risks for cataract. Scientists have knownthat the long-term use of certain drugs, such as corticosteroids, cancontribute to cataract development. The investigators found that long-term(more than 10 years) use of aspirin was associated with a 44% higherincrease of posterior subcapsular cataracts, compared with nonusers orshort-term users of the drug. Posterior subcapsular cataracts are the mostcommon and most disabling form of cataract. This aspirin-related risk waslarger among younger (under 65 years of age) individuals compared with oldersubjects.Ophthalmology 1998;105:1751-1758.COMMENT: One of the newer side effects of aspirin. Clearly, it hasbeneficial actions in heart disease protection. However, this needs to bebalanced with its risks. In higher doses, it can cause a bleeding ulcerwhich can be fatal. I find it amazing that the longer we look, the more sideeffects we find from medications, even in ones that have been around forlong over 100 years like aspirin. Don’t EVER forget what the fourth leadingcause of death is in this country: SIDE EFFECTS from physician prescribeddrugs. This is called an adverse drug reaction (ADR). I don’t believe onecan be more adverse than death.