Prescription Drugs that Can Kill You

[Guest guest]

Prescription Drugs that Can Kill You

Is there a safer way? by Len Saputo, MD

Too many pharmaceuticals just aren't safe. The shocking truth is that drug

complications are the third leading cause of death in America! Only heart

disease and cancer cause more deaths than our pharmaceutical armamentareum! How

necessary is it to use drugs that can cause problems serious enough to put you

in the hospital, cause permanent disability, or even kill you? The April 15,

1998 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA, contains a

revealing article authored by Jason Lazarou, et al, that exposes the magnitude

and seriousness of " adverse drug reactions " in US hospitals. (1) These authors

evaluated 39 prospective studies between 1966 and 1996 that assessed these

issues. They didn't include errors in drug administration, non-compliance, or

" possible " adverse reactions. Their goal was to identify those complications

that were solely related to the use of drugs as recommended by the manufacturer.

What they discovered was shocking! The overall incidence of hospitalizations

related to adverse drug reactions was 6.7%, and the associated death rate,

0.32%. This translates into 2.2 million serious drug reactions, and 106,000

deaths every year in America, at an estimated cost of as much as $4 billion per

year.(2, 3)

When this data is combined with previous studies that document the impact of

errors in drug administration, these numbers more than double. Now, we are

looking at over 5 million serious complications of pharmaceuticals, and over

200,000 deaths every year in the US. Based on misinformation in excess of 15%

of all hospitalizations are the result of complications of drugs even more

frightening it means that there is more than one death for every 145

hospitalizations in the US that is related to the drug therapy that is supposed

to be saving our lives.

We all know that's many lives are saved because of pharmaceutical drugs. in

view of the JAMA article, the question we should now be asking ourselves is,

" Are there natural alternatives that are effective and safe, that should be

considered before turning to unnatural (synthetic) pharmaceuticals that have

been shown to cause serious disabilities or even kill us? "

JAMA's important data provides considerable fuel for the paradigm shift that

is moving through America at the speed of light. We have awakened to the fact

that conventional medicine does not have all the answers. Hilary Clinton was

correct in the early 1990s, when she pointed out that conventional medicine can

be lifesaving in crisis situations, but has failed in managing chronic diseases

and in containing costs. Because of these skyrocketing costs, few of us can

afford private insurance, the government is going broke in its Medicare system,

and American industry has lost its competitive edge in its dealings with foreign

markets. And, what is worse, neither patients nor physicians are satisfied with

the aftereffects of these issues, that have led to the development of care that

is managed by insurance companies — " managed care "

The American public is going back to the future, as it is rediscovering what

the father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, proposed 2500 years ago: " Let food

be our medicine, and medicine be our food. " There are many examples where it is

conventional to use a potentially dangerous pharmaceutical, when an equally or

more effective, far safer, and better tolerated neutraceuticals can be employed.

Let's take a look at a few classic examples of this.

Aspirin and other NSAIDs on the direct cause of between 10-15,000 deaths, as

well as over 200,000 admissions to US hospitals every year! It is difficult to

justify that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, see table 1) are the

mainstay of treatment for osteoarthritis, when a clearly superior natural

alternative like glucosamine sulfate is readily available. Most of this

morbidity and mortality is related to the propensity of NSAIDs to cause

ulceration and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, and kidney deterioration.

It may be fortunate that as many as 40% of patients have found it necessary to

discontinue long term use of these drugs because of intolerable or dangerous

side effects (see table 2). NSAIDs can be effective in relieving the pain.

There is no evidence showing that progression of the underlying disease process

is improved in any way, while there is suspicion that they might aggravate the

underlying arthritic process! (5, 6) There is clear

evidence demonstrating that single doses of NSAIDs cause profound abnormalities

in the anatomy and physiology of the intestinal lining that leads to the

development of so-called " leaky gut syndrome. " (7, 8) This very common and

serious disorder creates an increased burden on liver detoxification and on

immune function that compromises our capacity to restore and maintain good

health. Glucosamine sulfate has been compared in head-to-head studies with

NSAIDs, and has been found to be equally effective in relieving pain and

inflammation. (9, 10) There is a slightly better initial relief of pain with

NSAIDs, but after four weeks, glucosamine sulfate has been shown to be superior.

And there has never been even a single reported hospitalization or death related

to the use of this natural substance, which is normally produced by the human

body. Because glucosamine sulfate is the major building block of healthy joint

cartilage, it may actually reverse the arthritic process

(11), and is rarely discontinued because of side effects. Contrary to NSAIDs,

it helps protect against the development of ulcers and leaky gut syndrome, and

does not cause kidney disease. This information is substantiated by over 250

research articles on glucosamine sulfate. Earlier this year, TV's 20/20 News

reported similar conclusions. Sales of glucosamine sulfate have skyrocketed,

further demonstrating that the American public believes that this nutraceutical

is safe and effective. At the same time, the pharmaceutical industry continues

to sell billions of dollars of NSAIDs every year for the treatment of

osteoarthritis. Hypertension is a scary problem. It is called the silent

killer, as it often causes no symptoms until after you've had your heart attack

or stroke. It affects over 60 million Americans. There is abundant medical

research documenting the value of controlling hypertension to prevent heart

attacks and strokes, and to prolong life. While it is up

important to lower high blood pressure, it is also important that the treatment

not be more dangerous than the disease itself. Managing hypertension with the

so-called " calcium channel blockers " provides another example where natural

alternatives are far safer and equally effective. A recent article in the

Journal, American Family Physician, was based on the world literature search on

the safety of calcium channel blockers. The authors reported that " recent

studies have shown an association between the use of calcium channel antagonists

for the treatment of hypertension and an increased risk of myocardial

infarction, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and cancer. " (12) Their data documents

that these very serious " complications " may actually occur almost twice as often

as those untreated with these drugs! Natural therapies should be thought of

before considering the use of of synthetic pharmaceutical drug because of their

safety, effectiveness, and high tolerance. It is

common knowledge that maintaining an ideal weight, reducing stress, exercising

regularly, eating a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and

salt are important factors that can reduce blood pressure dramatically. Natural

substances such as celery, garlic, onions, flax seed oil, magnesium, calcium,

and potassium that can lower blood pressure significantly and extremely safely,

are rarely recommended by conventional medical doctors. (13) Each of these

natural substances, which have important general nutritional value as well, have

been shown to lower blood pressure between 5-15 systolic and 5-10 diastolic

points. America has been terrorized by fear of the effects of high

cholesterol, which include a high Association with heart attacks and strokes.

There is good data showing that for every 1% rise in LDL cholesterol ( " bad "

cholesterol), particularly above 130 mg/dl, there is a 2% increase in heart

attacks, and that for every 1% rise in HDL (good "

cholesterol), there is a 3-4% decrease in heart attacks. The pharmaceutical

industry has responded to these fears by developing the " statin " drugs (see

table 3), which have been shown to lower total cholesterol, LDL, and

triglycerides, while raising HDL. There is also data that demonstrates a

decrease in heart attacks and strokes, and increased survival. This

information sounds pretty good, but how safe are these statin drugs, and, are

they really the best solution for the cholesterol issue? JAMA published an

article in 1996 that reviewed " carcinogenicity of lipid lowering drugs. " This

article concluded that the risk for carcinogenicity associated with the use of

the Staton's, is far above recently issued FDA guidelines. (14) Although

extrapolation from animal studies to humans is an uncertain process, this kind

of data was impressive enough that the members of the division of metabolism and

and endocrine drug products for the FDA recommended that Lovastatin (Mevacor)

be avoided except in patients at high risk for immediate heart attack or

stroke! (15) They are contraindicated in patients with active liver disease,

pregnancy, or women in the childbearing age that could get pregnant, and in

cases where there is an allergy to the drug. They can cause a severe

inflammation of muscles that can result in kidney failure, and this must be

watched for. It causes testicular atrophy, decreased spermatogenesis, and

decreased fertility in rats, but effects in humans are unknown. In addition,

there are more than 50 reported severe " side effects " listed in the PDR

(Physician's Desk Reference) that have been reported in 0.5 - 1.0% of patients

taking these drugs. If there were 10 million people on these drugs that would

mean that up to 100,000 patients could have one of these problems. There are

much safer and equally effective natural approaches to solving the cholesterol

problem that begin with lifestyle modification. Maintaining an ideal weight,

enjoying adequate exercise, eliminating stress, and eating a healthy diet, on

the foundation for this approach. Each of these factors has a profound

potential to improve cholesterol values, and they have no downside. If

lifestyle modification fails to bring cholesterol values in the normal range,

nature circles such as niacin, panther been, garlic, and gugulipid should be

considered. These products are natural, effective, and safe additions to the

management of abnormal cholesterol values. Niacin has been studied since the

1950s for its effect on cholesterol. it has greater HDL-raising effects than the

statin's, and for this reason has an overall greater ability to reduce the risk

of heart attacks and strokes. In addition, it has significant beneficial effects

on other important independent risk factors for heart attack and stroke that

include lowering of lipoprotein (a) and of fibrinogen (increases clotting).

Niacin has been shown to reduce mortality that was

documented in the Coronary Drug Project over a 15-year period. (16) An

interesting aspect of the study was that the effects of niacin were long

lasting, even though it may have been discontinued many years prior to the

completion of the study. Niacin has some limitations in its use. It can cause

flushing, especially if not gradually increased of her period of weeks, and, it

should not be used in diabetics, as it can upset glucose control. The preferred

form of niacin is inositol hexaniacinate, which is not sustained release niacin

(which tends to cause liver toxicity), and does not cause flushing. However, in

situations where patients have pre-existing liver disease or abnormal liver

tests, there are very effective alternatives such as gugulipid, garlic, or

pantethine that should be considered. Western medicine does not make a

genuinely serious attempt to explore nutritional therapies. It is unrealistic

to expect an MD, who is given an average of 60 minutes of

nutritional training in medical school, to be capable of practicing nutritional

medicine. The public has been lulled into taking a lazy and disinterested

position in assuming responsibility for their own health issues... a

potentially lethal situation. Drugs are looked at as simple, easy " silver

bullets " that can do for you what you might be able to do for yourself. The

importance of taking personal responsibility to be involved with solving our own

health issues is becoming more and more evident. The pharmaceutical industry

is not entirely to blame for this situation. Let's face it, when there is

consumer demand for a product, a smart businessman will try to fill the meat.

The problem is that when the business is good, and income is high, and there is

an alternative approach on the horizon that threatens continued high sales,

businessmen will often " do what is necessary " to insure that product sales

remain high. What begins as a service can evolve into a

materialistic issue that can have little to do with your health.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tables Table 1. Examples of NSAIDs:

Aspirin, Bufferin, Ascriptin, Alka Seltzer, Ecotrin, Vanquish, Cope, Anacin,

etc.

Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Nuprin

Naproxen, Aleve, Naprosyn, Anaprox

Ketoprofen, Orudis, Oruvail,

Piroxicam - Feldene

Ketorolac - Toradol

Meclofenamate

Nabumetone - Relafen

Diclofenac

Oxaprozin

Indomethacin - Indocin

Sulindac Clinoril

Flurbiprofen Ansaid

Etotolac

Table 2. Complications of NSAIDs — Incidents Reported

 

Gastrointestinal intolerance — 20 to 40% (double if over 65 years)

Gastrointestinal ulcers — 18% after three months (17, 18)

Leaky gut syndrome — 90% after single doses

Fluid retention — usually seen

Kidney damage — 20% in high risk patients

A wide variety of miscellaneous reactions such as anemia, lowered white blood

cell count, rash, itching, dizziness, sleepiness, etc. are frequently

associated.

Table 3. Examples of Cholesterol Lowering Agents

Generic Name Lovastatin

Fluvastatin

Pravastatin

Simvastatin

Atorostatin

Clofibrate Cholestyramine

Gemfibracil Mevacore

Lescol

Pravachol

Zocor

Lipitor

Atromid-S

Questran

Lopid

 

 

 

 

REFERENCES

 

 

Health Medicine Center

Health Medicine Forum

Health Medicine Research

1620 Riviera Avenue

Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Tel: (925) 935-7500

Fax: (925) 935-7770

Event Information and Voice Mail: (925) 210-7414

www.AlternativeHealth.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monopoly: Haven't you noticed, whoever wins this election (except when Ron

Paul or Obama wins) Rockefeller (Federal Reserve) and the KKK Democrats wins.

For ex:

John McCain - they say the highest Irish Republican Army Officer in the USA is

Clinton and not McCain.

Romney - from Massachusetts, the New Ireland

Huckabee - Arkansas, Rockefeller Country

 

PLUS: This election gets fool coverage by the New York Democrat Controlled

Media. It is because of Madison Avenue advertising clique across Rockefeller

Center. This is where all media (news, magazine, radio, TV) get their money

from.

 

US Elections is like Basketball. It is not about winning but how you play the

game. Because it is rigged. Still, we ask everybody we know to go out and vote

(How do we vote against the NY Controlled Media - Vote NOT a Democrat. Because

if they can fix elections, they can fix the NYSE, judges, etc.) the main reason

for writing this email. Because, the theory suggest, that all counting machines

(like election machines), they recycle each time it reaches 999,999. When that

is reached, it could ruin how the machine is programmed to cheat elections.

 

Good Luck.

 

 

 

 

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