Dangerous Drugs in the News
A number of “dangerous drugs” have been in the news recently. These reports started to surface when Congress was having hearings about the painkiller Vioxx. A Food and Drug Administration staff member testified in front of Congress that there are safety concerns about several medications. These medications are Accutane, Arava, Bextra, Celebrex, Crestor, Lotronex, Meridia, and Serevent.
When you put the problems in perspective, the number of problems related to these medications is incredibly small compared to the number of people who took the drugs. If five million people have taken the medication and one has had a serious side effect, that’s one in five million, or 0.00002%. The chances are not that great, but the opportunity is there.
The following is a quick summary of what the FDA believes are some of the concerns with these medications.
Accutane
This medication is very effective for severe acne. It is also well known that Accutane causes serious birth defects. Because of this, the manufacturer has set guidelines for its dispensing. If the patient is female, she must have a negative pregnancy test EVERY month before the doctor writes the prescription. The doctor must then fill it within seven days. The patient must also go back to the doctor every month for a new prescription. Women who take Accutane and are sexually active should take two forms of birth control and not become pregnant for at least a month after stopping the medication.
The problems arise when women take Accutane from a friend or get it from another country. Without a doctor's supervision, they might not be aware of the risks associated with pregnancy.
Another topic surrounding Accutane is the reported increase in suicide rates. Some patients report feeling depressed or irritable after taking Accutane. Friends and family can help to discuss these issues with the patient. If someone is feeling depressed or has thoughts of suicide while on Accutane, please tell them to let their doctor know right away.
Arava
Arava treats severe rheumatoid arthritis. During the last several years, reports of serious lung or liver problems have arisen in patients taking this medication. Patients on Arava are required to undergo frequent liver function tests to detect any problems before they become serious. Almost always, liver failure develops gradually over an extended period of time. Frequent testing can detect and fix these problems early. The signs of liver problems include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, dark urine, pale stools, and yellowish eyes or skin.
The signs of lung problems include fever above 101°, chills, sore throat, ear pain, cough, nose pain, or colored sputum. If you are taking Arava and have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor.
Celebrex
People primarily use this medication for mild to moderate pain. It functions similarly to how Vioxx did prior to its market withdrawal. Experts are therefore concerned that Celebrex can lead to the same increased chance of stroke as other heart problems.
Although the cardiovascular risk is extremely low, it still exists. Because of this, those who have heart problems may want to avoid Celebrex. If you are currently taking Celebrex, contact your doctor about your concerns. Often times, regular anti-inflammatories like ibuprofen or naproxen work quite well.
Crestor
Crestor, a member of the statin drug class, lowers cholesterol. Consumer advocates argue for its removal from the market due to the potential risk of kidney and liver problems. Lower doses and periodic kidney and liver function checks minimize the risk of these rare problems. Anyone taking Crestor should call their doctor if they experience muscle pain or weakness, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, dark urine, pain when urinating, pale stools, or yellow-looking eyes or skin. These are the signs of liver or kidney problems.
Lotronex
Women with irritable bowel syndrome who have frequent diarrhea and have not responded to other treatments use Lotronex. News reports indicate that approximately 0.1% of women taking Lotronex may experience severe constipation. Low blood flow to parts of the gut can also cause ischemic colitis. This may occur in about 0.29% of women who take Lotronex for more than six months. If you feel the risks outweigh the rewards, there are other medications for diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome that don’t have these effects.
Meridia
Meridia helps people lose weight, but it can also raise blood pressure and heart rate. Patients taking Meridia have reported stroke and heart attack, but the drug may not be the cause. Since many overweight people already have high blood pressure or heart disease, it may not be the drug causing the problems. Patients taking Meridia should check their blood pressure and heart rate at least weekly and report any sustained increases to their physician.
Serevent
Patients with asthma use Serevent, a long-acting bronchodilator, to prevent airway constriction. Improper use of the medicine can increase the risk of asthma worsening. You should not use Serevent for emergency breathing difficulties. For these emergencies, use the fast-acting inhaler albuterol. Always use Serevent with another inhaler that controls inflammation, such as an inhaled steroid.
Rare side effects do occur, but your chances of experiencing them are slim. Realize that millions of people throughout the world take these medications. Some people are simply predisposed to certain problems. The news media often exaggerates these stories.
Every medication has potential side effects. Your doctor should know the possible side effects and can weigh the benefit of your medication against their risks. When your doctor or pharmacist prescribes a drug, make sure to ask any questions you may have. Always follow the medication instructions and never share medications with anyone. If you are hesitant to take a certain drug, by all means, let your doctor know. There are a number of different medications that can also help you.
