Prescription Drug Dangers

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are elderly, have dementia (such as Alzheimer’s disease), have any history of cardiovascular (heart) disease, diabetes, or have seizures
• Pediatric patients should not use this drug for the treatment of depression

Like Seroquel and Zyprexa, Abilify is used to treat psychotic symptoms in conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, psychotic disorders, as well as major depressive disorder in adults. It is also used to treat the irritability and severe mood symptoms (aggression, self-injury) in autism.

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Although the causes of death were varied in clinical trials, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (pneumonia) in nature. Abilify is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis. Antidepressants have been shown to increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults compared to placebo drugs in short-term studies of major depressive disorder and other psychiatric disorders. Anyone considering the use of Abilify as an adjunctive therapy or considering the use of any other antidepressant in a child, adolescent, or young adult must balance this risk with the clinical need. Abilify is not approved for use in pediatric patients with depression.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. These drugs can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
• Pediatric patients should not use this drug for the treatment of depression.

Adderall is used to treat narcolepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall contains CNS stimulants that affect chemicals in the brain and nerves that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

An advisory panel to the FDA recently recommended that Adderall and other drugs (such as Ritalin, Concerta) used to treat ADHD should display a black box warning because amphetamines are known to raise blood pressure (causing chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fainting) leading to stroke and heart attack. While Canada ordered Adderall off the market, the FDA only required a warning be added to the packaging advising people with structural heart abnormalities not to use the drug.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near future as it may cause damage to your unborn baby
• You will need to use contraception during treatment and for at least 6 months after your last dose of this drug
• Be aware that Avastin may interfere with your ability to become pregnant in the future; your doctor should advise you of your options prior to starting treatment
• You should not breast-feed while being treated with this drug and for at least 6 months after the last dose as Avastin may interfere with the growth and development of your baby

Used for treatment of various cancers as part of a combination chemotherapy regimen.

Complications in healing from surgery and other wounds have been reported. Hemorrhage is also more frequent in patients receiving this drug that can lead to death.

You should avoid this drug if:

• FDA pregnancy category D. Taking Celebrex during the last 3 months of pregnancy may harm the unborn baby.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Celebrex. Celecoxib
  passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take Celebrex without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old without the advice of a doctor.
• Avoid too much sunlight or tanning beds. Celebrex can make you sunburn more easily.
• Fatal reactions can occur without warning while taking Celebrex especially in older adults.

Used to treat pain or inflammation caused by many conditions such as arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and menstrual pain. It is also used in the treatment of hereditary polyps in the colon.

NSAIDS may increase the risk of serious and potentially fatal cardiac events. Stroke risk may also increase with prolonged use. These drugs may also increase the risk of serious adverse gastrointestinal events, including ulcers, abdominal or intestinal perforation, which can be fatal, especially in elderly patients.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take this drug. Crestor may cause harm to unborn child when administered to pregnant women.
• This and other drugs in this class pass into breast milk and have the potential to cause serious adverse reactions in nursing infants. Women who require this drug should not nurse their infants.

Used to treat high cholesterol

The FDA has rejected calls by consumer advocates for a new black box warning for Crestor and other statin-based medications that would ensure that information about the risk of severe and potentially life-threatening muscle problems and kidney damage is placed more prominently on these drug labels.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take this drug. Duloxetine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

Used to treat major depression, anxiety, fibromyalgia, joint pain, diabetic neuropathy

Cymbalta and other antidepressants have been shown to increase the risk of suicidality in children, adolescents, and young adults with major depressive or other psychiatric disorders.

You should avoid this drug if:

• This drug should be avoided during pregnancy. Depakote can harm an unborn baby or cause birth defects, and may affect cognition (intelligence, problem-solving, reasoning abilities) later in the child’s life.
• If you already take Depakote for seizures or manic episodes: Do not start or stop taking this medicine during pregnancy without your doctor’s advice. While Depakote can cause harm to an unborn baby, having a seizure during pregnancy could harm both the mother and the baby. Contact your doctor right away.
• This drug can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
• You should not use Depakote if you have liver disease, a urea cycle disorder, or certain genetic disorders (such as Alpers’ disease or Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome)
• Children under 2 should not take this drug if mitochondrial disorders are present as Depakote can cause fatal liver failure

Used primarily in the treatment of epilepsy (seizure disorder), bipolar disorder, and the prevention of migraine headache

Valproate causes birth defects; exposure during pregnancy is associated with about three times as many major anomalies as usual, including and several other defects, possibly including a “valproate syndrome.” Cases of life threatening pancreatitis have also been reported in both children and adults receiving this drug. Some of the cases have been described as hemorrhagic with rapid progression from initial use as well as after several years of use. Patients and guardians should be warned that abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and/or anorexia can be symptoms of pancreatitis that require prompt medical evaluation.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant in the near future, or are currently breast feeding
• You have cancer or have had a past history of certain cancers
• You have severe or uncontrolled congestive heart failure
• You have multiple sclerosis
• You have active infections, such as tuberculosis

Enbrel is used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or ankylosing spondylitis, and to prevent joint damage caused by these conditions. Also used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults and polyarticular juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children who are at least 2 years old.

Serious infection risk associated with Enbrel. Benefits vs risk in patients with chronic or recurrent infection must be weighed. Tuberculosis (TB) is a risk, as are invasive fungal and other opportunistic infections; some of these infections have been fatal. Cancers such as lymphoma and other malignancies, some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescents treated with TNF blockers like Enbrel and Humira.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant in the near future, or are currently breast feeding
• You have cancer or have had a past history of certain cancers
• You have severe or uncontrolled congestive heart failure
• You have multiple sclerosis
• You have active infections, such as tuberculosis

Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis, Chrone’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriatic arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Patients with chronic infection should use extreme caution. TB, invasive fungal, and other opportunistic infections have been observed in patients taking this drug and some infections have been fatal; most infections occur in combination with other immunosuppressants. Lymphomas and other malignancies (cancers), some fatal, have been reported in children and adolescents treated with drugs like Humira.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Budesonide should only be used in pregnant women if necessary and if potential benefits outweigh the unknown risk.
• Use of budesonide during pregnancy may suppress the adrenal glands of the infant.
• Avoid anyone who an infection such as chickenpox or measles
• Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of Entocort EC in your blood stream; do not drink grapefruit juice while taking this drug

Used for the for the treatment of mild to moderate active Crohn’s disease

Use of this drug results in immunosuppression, therefore existing infections (tuberculosis, bacterial, viral, parasitic, or fungal) may clearly worsen. More serious or fatal chickenpox or measles may occur in susceptible patients. Lymphoma and other cancers have been reported on rare occasions.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ambien can be found in breast milk if taken while breastfeeding. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Used to treat insomnia

Avoid alcohol when taking this drug. The above side effects may worsen if you take Lunesta with alcohol. Do not drive or engage in activities that require complete alertness after taking Lunesta.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Completed suicide
• Cardiac and respiratory arrest
• Drug ineffectiveness
• Death
• Drug toxicity
• Drug misuse/abuse
• Sleepiness

Used to treat moderate to severe pain that is expected to last for an extended period of time. OxyContin is used for around-the-clock treatment of pain. It is not to be used on an “as-needed” basis for pain.

Because of its high potential for addiction and abuse, this drug should be used with extreme caution. After using for extended periods of time you must gradually reduce dosage in order to avoid risk of respiratory depression and other effects of withdrawal. Ingestion by children may lead to fatal overdose. Prolonged use during pregnancy can also lead to life-threatening withdrawal in newborns. This drug will be present in breast milk.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Do not breastfeed while you are taking Nexium.
• Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Used to treat epilepsy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, shingles, neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury, and certain types of seizures.

The FDA is being asked to issue black box warnings regarding the long-term use of PPI drugs such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec, and other acid reflux inhibitors. These drugs have been associated with a variety of potentially serious side effects, including an increased risk of bone fractures (especially in the elderly). Other side effects may include infections, diarrhea, and magnesium deficiency leading to heart problems.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Lyrica is an FDA pregnancy category C drug. It is not known whether pregabalin will harm an unborn baby, or exactly how it will affect your baby while breastfeeding. You should not breast-feed while you are using pregabalin.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, bleeding disorder, or history of depression

Used to treat epilepsy, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, fibromyalgia, post-herpetic neuralgia, shingles, neuropathic pain associated with spinal cord injury, and certain types of seizures.

Suicidal behavior and Ideation – Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including Lyrica, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior in patients taking these drugs for any indication. Patients treated with any AED should be monitored for the emergence or worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or behavior, and/or any unusual changes in mood or behavior….Usage in pregnancy should also be done with caution. In order to provide information regarding the effects of in utero exposure to Lyrica, physicians are advised to recommend that pregnant patients taking Lyrica enroll in the North American Antiepileptic Drug (NAAED) Pregnancy Registry.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Tell your doctor immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. The effects of Spiriva HandiHaler during pregnancy and breastfeeding are unknown.

Used for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

At one time, the FDA issued warnings (not black box) that Spiriva could pose some serious side effects to patients using this drug. While some patients have reported possible side effects such as increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular events, and macular degeneration, the FDA (as of January 2010) does not support the association.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You have been instructed by your doctor not to engage in sexual activity due to heart disease or other heart problems
• You are taking medicines that contain nitrates of any kind. If you take Viagra with any nitrate medicine your blood pressure could suddenly drop to an unsafe or life-threatening level.

Viagra is used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. Another brand of sildenafil is Revatio, which is used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension and improve exercise capacity in men and women.

Rarely, sudden decreased vision in one or both eyes may occur. Sudden decrease or loss of hearing, sometimes with dizziness and ringing in the ears, may also occur. In the rare event you have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and get medical help right away, or permanent problems could occur.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are allergic to codeine

Used to treat moderate to severe pain. Also used to prevent cough.

Can become habit-forming when used over an extended period of time. It is important not to mix with anything containing alcohol or acetaminophen, as this could lead to liver toxicity. This drug can be lethal in high doses.

You should avoid this drug if:

• Do not breastfeed while you are taking Xanax. This drug is found in breast milk if taken while breastfeeding
• Xanax can harm your unborn baby if you take it during pregnancy. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant
• Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Xanax
• Do not drive a car, operate machinery, or engage in other dangerous activities until you know how this drug affects you
• Do not drink grapefruit juice without first consulting your physician

Used for the management of anxiety disorder, short-term relief of anxiety symptoms, and treatment of panic disorder.

Xanax is a federally controlled substance because it has high abuse potential. Seizures can occur if you stop or decrease your dose suddenly.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if or how Xeljanz will harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy Registry: Pfizer has a registry for pregnant women who take this drug. These registries track the health of the pregnant mother and her baby. For now, it is not known exactly how this drug may affect your baby.
• Do not breastfeed while on this drug.
• Do not receive live vaccines while on this drug.

Used to treat adults with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis when methotrexate did not work well. (A folate analog metabolic inhibitor, or cell division inhibitor, is used to treat several kinds of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriasis.)

Taking Xeljanz can lower the ability of your immune system to fight infections. Some people have serious infections while taking this drug, including tuberculosis (TB), and infections caused by bacteria, fungi, or viruses that can spread throughout the body. Some people have died from these infections.

You should avoid this drug if:

• You are planning to undergo any type of spinal tap or spinal surgery in the near future. Xarelto can also cause serious blood clot around the spinal cord if the patient undergoes a spinal tap or receives an epidural, if there is a history of spinal surgery or repeated spinal taps, or if other drugs that can affect blood clotting are being used concurrently. This type of blood clot can lead to long-term or permanent paralysis.

Used to prevent or treat a type of blood clot which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)

Use extreme caution with discontinuation of drug treatment as the risk of stroke is increased. There is also higher risk of hematoma (blood clot) after spinal puncture (epidural or other spinal anesthesia). The risk of permanent paralysis increases with the use of epidural catheter and certain drugs (NSAIDs, other anticoagulants), spinal deformity, spinal puncture, or spinal surgery.