More Evidence of Doctors Over-Prescribing Drugs

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http://www.mercola.com/2004/jul/28/over_prescribe.htm

 

More Evidence of Doctors Over-Prescribing Drugs

 

Despite mounting evidence on the negative side effects

of high-dose consumption of the arthritis pain

reliever, Vioxx, doctors continue to prescribe the

drug.

 

Study on Vioxx Users

 

* Participants of the study were over the age of

49 and taking a prescription for a non-steroidal

anti-inflammatory drug

* Out of 40,000 participants, 10,000 were

prescribed Vioxx

* Over 1,000 of that number were taking high-doses

of Vioxx

 

Experts stated that 25 mgs has been the recommended

dosage for long-term use for Vioxx. Research showed 50

mg dosages were not any more effective at helping with

chronic pain than the lower doses. Higher doses also

contributed to an increased risk of heart attacks.

 

Since 1992, red flags have been raised over the high

dosages and dangerous side effects associated with

Vioxx.

 

High dose-Vioxx has been linked to a variety of health

conditions such as congestive heart failure, heart

attacks, raised blood pressure and a growing number of

cases of edema, a swelling found in the arms or legs

that can weigh heavily on the heart.

 

Other conditions related to high dose Vioxx include

stress on the kidney, which causes fluid retention,

edema and elevated blood pressure.

 

Some doctors are against prescribing Vioxx to patients

who are in the high-risk category for developing high

blood pressure, due to the likelihood the drug could

cause a rise in blood pressure. On the contrary, other

doctors continue to downplay the drug's ability to

induce negative side effects such as edema,

hypertension and heart failure.

 

EurekAlert July 13, 2004

 

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

 

If you follow this site regularly, I discussed this

connection between heart disease and Vioxx when it was

first published by the National Academy of Sciences.

Although drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex may actually

seem to work, but patients pay a huge price, both

economically and physically. Do you really want to

trade joint pain for a heart attack?

 

And, besides, the market for analgesics is about $10

BILLION dollars per year.

 

That is one big number.

 

That's why these are important drugs to watch. It is

important to remember that anytime you are dealing

with numbers that large there will inevitably be

corruption, greed and negative influences that are a

part of the story if drugs are involved.