Publisher Description

"More than 100,000 people a year die in American hospitals from adverse reactions to medication, making drug reactions one of the leading causes of death in this country, researchers are reporting today...."
-- Journal of the American Medical Association study, as quoted in The New York Times
It is no longer a secret that adverse drug reactions can be dangerous or even fatal, or that doctors often prescribe two relatively safe drugs -- which may cause a life-threatening interaction if taken together. THIS IS THE BOOK THAT TELLS YOU WHAT OTHER PILL BOOKS WON'T ABOUT YOUR MEDICATION!
Top-selling drugs that are among the 160 Do Not Use Drugs discussed inside:
Ultram Darvoset-N Lopid Desogen & OrthoCept Elavil Ativan Restoril Flexeril Valium Bentyl Entex LA Glucophage Macrobid Patients fill more than 80 million prescriptions a year for these drugs!
Consumer advocate Sidney M. Wolfe, M.D., director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, has thoroughly revised and updated this accessible, indispensable bestseller that alerts you to the potential risks of hundreds of medications available today. Worst Pills, Best Pills gives you the information you need to become actively involved in caring for yourself -- by asking your doctor smart questions about the drugs prescribed for you. Arranged by disease/condition, it offers chapters on adverse drug reactions, alphabetical indexes listing pills by their brand and generic names, new information about commonly used drugs, guidelines for helping you to say "no" if your doctor prescribes a drug you should not take, and safer alternative choices. Worst Pills, Best Pills also includes startling information about certain drugs that can actually cause depression, hallucinations or psychoses, sexual dysfunction, dementia, auto accidents, insomnia, parkinsonism, and more.
Caution: Call your doctor before stopping the use of any drug.

Back Cover

It is increasingly clear that certain drugs may have dangerous adverse effects, or that two relatively safe drugs, if taken together, can cause a fatal interaction. This indispensable, potentially lifesaving book gives you and your family-and your physician-the information you need about your medical treatment before you fill the prescription. Top-selling drugs that are among the 181 Do Not Use drugs discussed inside: * Vioxx * Yasmin * Tricor * Tussionex * Avandia * Actos * Crestor * Mobic * Arlcept * Bextra * Serzone * Ultracet * Celebrex * Singulair * Darvon/Darvocet * Meridia Patients fill over 130 million prescriptions a year for these 16 drugs at a cost of more than $11 billion! Consumer advocate Sidney M. Wolfe, M.D., Director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, and his colleagues have thoroughly revised this indispensable bestseller to include up-to-the-minute facts about the top-selling medications on the market today. Worst Pills, Best Pills contains startling information about certain well-known drugs that can cause depression, hallucinations or psychoses, sexual dysfunction, dementia, auto accidents, insomnia, parkinsonism, and more. It exposes drugs that simply do not work and others whose risks far outweigh the benefits. Arranged by disease/condition, this easy-to-use guidebook offers chapters on adverse drug reactions, an alphabetical index that lists pills by their brand and generic names, new information about commonly used drugs, guidelines for helping you to say no if your doctor prescribes a drug you or your family should not take, and safer alternative choices. Worst Pills, Best Pills can help you to become actively involved in your own health care by knowing which questions to ask your physician, your pharmacist, and most important, yourself. Caution: Call your doctor before stopping the use of any drug. It doesn't stop here! brings you this entire book-with frequent updates-as a searchable database. You also get: * up-to-the-minute email alerts about newly discovered drug dangers * a six-month web subscription to Worst Pills, Best Pills News monthly newsletter * analyses of pricing, advertising, and other drug-related issues.

Author Biography

Sidney M. Wolfe, M.D., is the director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group in Washington, DC, a consumer lobbying group that he cofounded with Ralph Nader in 1971. His previous bestsellers include Pills That Don't Work and Over-the-Counter Pills That Don't Work.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS
Introduction

How This Book Was Compiled

Medical Advisers

Index of Drugs

1: Misprescribing and Overprescribing of Drugs
Evidence of Misprescribing and Overprescribing
The Causes of Misprescribing and Overprescribing

2: Adverse Drug Reactions
How Extensive Is the Problem of Specific Adverse Drug Reactions?
Specific Patient Examples
Nine Reasons Why Older Adults Are More Likely Than Younger Adults to Have Adverse Drug Reactions
Which Adverse Effects Can Be Caused by Which Drugs?
Summary of Adverse Reactions and the Drugs That Cause Them
Drugs That Can Affect the Mind (Such as Those Causing Depression or Psychoses)
Drugs That Can Cause Abnormal, Involuntary Movements
Drugs That Can Disturb Balance
Drugs That Can Cause Sexual Dysfunction
Drugs That Can Affect the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract
Drugs That Can Cause Lung Toxicity
Drugs That Can Affect the Urinary Tract

3: 456 Drugs Commonly Used by Consumers
How to Use This Chapter
Drugs for Heart Conditions
Drug Listings
High Blood Pressure
Potassium Supplementation
Beta-blockers
Calcium Channel Blockers
Cholesterol-lowering Drugs
Drug Profiles
Mind Drugs
Drug Listings
Tranquilizers and Sleeping Pills
Antipsychotic Drugs
Depression
Drug Profiles
Painkillers and Arthritis Drugs
Drug Listings
Salicylates
Narcotics
Arthritis and Inflammation
Drug Profiles
Gastrointestinal Drugs
Drug Listings
Diarrhea
Constipation
Gas
Drug Profiles
Cold, Cough, Allergy, and Asthma Drugs
Drug Listings
Cold
Allergy and Hay Fever
Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, and Emphysema
Drug Profiles
Drugs for Infections
Drug Listings
Antibiotics
Penicillins and Cephalosporins
Fluoroquinolones
Tetracyclines
Drug Profiles
Drugs for Diabetes
Drug Listings
Diabetes and Its Treatment
Drug Profiles
Drugs for Neurological Disorders
Drug Listings
Drug Profiles
Nutritional Supplements
Supplement Listings
Nutritional Supplements
Supplement Profiles
Eye Drugs
Drug Listings
General Instructions for Application of Eye Drops and Ointment
Glaucoma
Drug Profiles
Drugs for Other Conditions
Drug Listings
Corticosteroids
Drug Profiles

4: Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Preventable Drug-induced Injury
Sample Drug Worksheet

5: Saving Money While Avoiding Injury When Buying Prescription Drugs

Glossary

Drug Worksheet

Details