BE SURE TO READ THE WARNING LABELS!! by Robert Chu

The package insert is often thrown out with the packaging or the print is so small and the language so unintelligible that the average consumer could not make heads or tails out of it. Often pharmacists don't have the time to consult you on all aspects of medication when they have long lines of other customers waiting.

Also if you're shopping around and always looking for a lower priced pharmacy, or following the popular trend of ordering online, going to Canada or Mexico to save money, you may not have access to a pharmacist to advise you. Medical Doctors (MD's) are not the authorities on medications in the health care industry, but pharmacists are. The ultimate say so regarding medications and interactions amongst multiple medications are pharmacists.

The ultimate say so amongst nutritional supplements, foods, herbs and medications is still ultimately the pharmacist, however, few pharmacists can know the biochemistry of all foods, nutritional supplements and herbs. In this case, it is still up to the consumer to be ultimately responsible for his or her health.

A good herbalist can help you make informed decisions about herb and drug interactions, but you must be upfront and detailed about what herbals, nutritional supplements and medications you are currently taking, the dosage, and the frequency. To be detailed with a list is to be prepared anytime you see a new healthcare practitioner.

I never offer herbal advice unless I have met with a prospective patient in person and know their entire health history. The reason is because I have to know their background and what they are taking now.

For example, if they take Viagra, a common drug for erectile dysfunction, I have to be careful not to give herbs that have a function of blood thinning, as that can cause an adverse effect. One has to be aware of possible adverse or "side" effects that can result from wrongly prescribing any form of medication. I want to stress that I am not against the use of medications because I am a labeled a "Complementary/Alternative Medicine" practitioner.

I feel that all medicines have their proper time and place, have their proper dosage, and will have a great effect when used specifically for an ailment. The problem is only when one paradigm of medicine seeks to outlaw or diminish another paradigm of medicine because they are threatened or worried about money.

One doctor that I admire, Alex Chen, OMD, PhD, once said, "It doesn't matter if the medicine is eastern or western, what counts is that it works." I firmly believe in that statement.

If you're taking Lipitor or Atorvastatin, a common drug for people with high cholesterol or high trigycerides, there are many side effects of this medication. Not all people will experience adverse effects, nor will they experience all of the adverse effects. Properly used, Lipitor can save lives and help keep people healthy. However, a close look at the warning label suggests you contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following: skin rashes, blisters, peeling and swelling; chills; dark-colored urine; diarrhea; fever; itching; joint pain; red irritated eyes; redness, tenderness, itching, sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips, Headache; hoarseness; lower back or side pain; painful or difficult urination; pain or tenderness around eyes and cheekbones; stuffy or runny nose, Abdominal pain; back pain; belching or excessive gas; constipation; general feeling of discomfort or illness; heartburn, indigestion, or stomach discomfort; lack or loss of strength; loss of appetite; nausea; shivering; sweating; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

It makes me think wouldn't it be better to do some dietary and lifestyle changes than be on a medication with that many side effects?

Lipitor is supposed to be prescribed only when additional help is needed and is effective only when a schedule of diet and exercise is properly followed. It does not mean when you are taking Lipitor that you can freely eat what you want without a care in the world. The Drugs.com website writes, "Remember that this medicine will not cure your condition but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to keep your cholesterol levels down."

You should also be warned that you should avoid taking Atorvastatin with grapefruit juice or other grapefruit products because these may increase the concentrations of Atorvastatin in the body. Atorvastatin has also been linked to problems in the liver, such as jaundice, and increased liver enzymes. People who take Atorvastatin should also avoid alocohol. That in itself is warning enough to make changes in diet and lifestyle.

Warfarin (Coumadin) is another common medication that is necessary for the prevention of heart attack, stroke or obstruction of the blood vessels.

Basically it is an anti-coagulant, which thins the blood and prevents formation of blood clots, Unfortunately, this medication has numerous side effects and patients making a change in diet, adding supplements or vitamins and minerals have to be very careful when on this medication.

Problems include signs of unusual bleeding, such as bleeding while brushing teeth, urinating blood, unusual nosebleeds, small red spotting on the skin, easy bleeding or bruising, unusually heavy menstrual bleeding and the like. The risk is also for hidden bleeding internally in the internal organs such as the stomach or intestines, back pain, dark, tar-like stools, vomiting blood, chest pains, mental fugue, coughing up of blood and the like.

You are advised to see your MD immediately if you are having any of these side effects. It would be best for you to check the Advanced Consumer information on Warfarin at www.drugs.com for more detailed information.

Warfarin is one of those drugs that needs to be monitored closely. If you're considering going on a diet, or changing lifestyle and eating habits, it's best to check with a health care professional.

Taking common things like vitamins, minerals, other nutritional supplements like nutriceuticals or herbs like Dang Gui, Dandelion, Licorice, Nettles, Ginseng, Pau D'Arco, and Ginko Biloba can be hazardous to your health if you take Coumadin. Eating liver, broccoli, kale, spinach, cabbage, grapefruit juice, pineapple, garlic and onion can also be hazardous to your health if you take Warfarin/Coumadin. Because of the many adverse effects of this medication, I am often reluctant to advise any herbals, supplements or dietary changes to people on this medication. I strongly advise any one on this medication to discuss with their pharmacist and MD for any other safe alternatives to this medication.

Glucophage or Metformin is also a common medication for sufferers of diabetes, particularly Type II, Diabetes mellitus. Diabetes is better controlled through a strict diet, eating at regular intervals and maintaining a healthy lifestyle of frequent exercise.

Many side effects may include, cramping, diarrhea, shortness of breath, tiredness, low blood sugar, blurred vision, cold sweats, mental confusion, excessive hunger, tachycardia, headache, nausea, and lack of appetite.

These signs and symptoms may also indicate that Metformin is not working for you, and that your diabetes is getting worse. I strongly advise anyone with diabetes to visit with a nutritionist or registered dietician and make radical changes to the diet, avoiding excessive intake of carbohydrates, and balancing diet with complex carbohydrates, protein and fats.

There are herbal alternatives to the medications above, but each has to be balanced with diet and exercise and are to be diagnosed carefully on a case by case basis. It is best to consult with a licensed Acupuncturist/herbalist, Professional Member of the American Herbalists Guild (AHG), or Doctor of Naturopathy for this.