| Fen-Phen: Withdrawn from the market in 1997 under heavy pressure from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Fen-Phen was a combination of Pondimin (fenfluramine) and Redux (dexfenfluramine). Among the most widely prescribed diet drugs in the country, Fen-Phen was used to lower people's appetite by suppressing the body's production of serotonin. Side effects of this drug include primary pulmonary hypertension and valvular heart disease.
Meridia: In March 2002, Ralph Nader's consumer advocacy group Public Citizen filed a petition with the FDA asking that it immediately issue a recall of the dangerous drug. In its petition, the organization noted 29 deaths associated with Meridia since its introduction in 1998. Side effects of this diet drug include increased blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, seizure, rapid heart rate and mental impairments. From February 1998 to September 2001, there were 400 serious adverse reactions attributed to use of Meridia.
Meridia's effectiveness as a weight-loss aid is also being questioned. In approving the drug, the FDA reported that in clinical trials, obese people taking Meridia for one year could expect to lose an average of only 6.5 pounds compared to those taking a placebo. The risk-benefit ratio question: is losing 6.5 pounds worth the heightened risk of a fatal heart attack?
Ephedra: Derived from a root found in Asia (Ma Huang), this stimulates the central nervous system in much the same way as an amphetamine. Basically, Ephedra is like speed. Initially intended to boost your metabolism and give you more energy, medical professionals found that side effects including increased risk of stroke, seizure and heart attack were too concerning.
Prempro - along with Femhrt, Ortho-Prefest, Premphase and other combined estrogen and progestin HRT - carry severe side effects that can be deadly for women. This study found the following increase of incidence with use of Prempro over non-combination HRT drugs:
- 26 percent increase in breast cancer
- 41 percent increase in strokes
- 29 percent increase in heart attacks
- 100 percent increase of blood clots in legs and lungs
In 2002, 6 million women were taking Prempro. In multiplying out the numbers against the 6 million, we see the catastrophic and broad-reaching health effects to women. For the 6 million women taking Prempro, there will be:
- 480,000 additional breast cancer cases
- 420,000 more heart attacks
- 480,000 more strokes
- 480,000 more blood clot cases
Zyprexa, also known as Olanzapine, is manufactured by Eli Lilly & Co. The drug is used in treating schizophrenia, bi-polar disorders and some other psychotic mental disorders. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zyprexa's use as a schizophrenia treatment in 1996 and approved the drug for treatment of bi-polar disorder in 2000. Zyprexa has been prescribed to over 6 million people worldwide since its debut.
In September 2003, the FDA issued a request to the manufacturer of the very popular antipsychotic medication Zyprexa, used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, to add to add a warning to the drug's label of a possible link between Zyprexa and diabetes.
The FDA told doctors that patients using Zyprexa and other "atypical" antipsychotics should be monitored for side effects such as blood-sugar abnormalities, particularly if they have risk factors including obesity and a family history of diabetes, and that "increased attention to the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus may lead to earlier detection and appropriate treatment and thus may reduce the risk for the most serious outcomes."
Zyprexa may be linked to diabetes, hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar levels), and diabetic ketoacidosis (a potentially fatal complication of diabetes). Diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to produce insulin needed to process sugar normally. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
Early Warning Signs of Diabetes:
- Abnormal thirst and a dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
- Constant hunger
- Slow-healing wounds
- Recurrent infections
- Blurred vision
To learn more, contact us for a free initial consultation.
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