Written by: Dr. Terrie Van Alstyne, ND
Prescription medications causing side effects is a familiar concept for many of us, as we may have experienced them firsthand. However, what often goes unnoticed is that numerous drugs can actually lead to the development of drug-induced diseases. Treating these drug-induced conditions typically necessitates the use of additional prescription medications.
Understanding Drug-Induced Diseases: It's Not The Doctor's Fault
The influence of pharmaceutical companies on medical education is profound. These companies not only write textbooks that educate future doctors but also fund significant research and fellowships. As a result, the primary tools that medical professionals use to address health issues are often prescription drugs and surgery. Unfortunately, medical students receive limited education on diet, nutrition, and lifestyle, with virtually no training on natural therapies.
Dr. Abi-Jaoude, a psychiatrist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, states, “The truth is, it’s hard to disentangle medical education from whatever the prevailing culture is in medicine, including ways of thinking or beliefs of the day about diagnosis or treatment.” He further notes that the pharmaceutical and medical device industries significantly shape these beliefs.
A poignant example of this detrimental influence is the opioid crisis, where medical students were misled into believing that OxyContin was a “weak” opioid, a notion perpetuated by its producer, Purdue Pharma.
Dr. Andrew Weil emphasizes this issue, stating, “Nations that take fewer drugs than we do are healthier.”
One critical health issue related to drug use is Type II diabetes, a condition that affects the body's ability to use sugar (glucose) for energy. It disrupts insulin function, which can lead to elevated blood sugar levels if left untreated. Over time, high blood sugar can inflict severe damage to nerves and blood vessels, resulting in serious complications such as heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure requiring dialysis, blindness, and gangrene, which may necessitate amputations.
Drugs That Cause Type II Diabetes
Several medications have been linked to the development of Type II diabetes. Here are some categories and examples of such drugs:
1. Diuretics
Thiazides
Furosemide
Ethacrynic Acid
2. Antihypertensives
Beta Blockers
Clonidine
3. Other Medications
Diazoxide (associated with hypoglycemia)
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (used for multiple sclerosis, arthritis, lupus, eye conditions, and various skin, kidney, lung, and immune disorders)
4. Hormonal Medications
Birth Control Pills
Aldosterone (regulates blood pressure, pH balance, and salt/potassium levels)
Growth Hormone (affects metabolism, height, bone length, and muscle growth)
Glucagons (involved in blood sugar regulation)
Progestational Agents (reduce uterine contractions and prolong pregnancy)
5. Psychoactive Agents
Lithium (used as a mood stabilizer)
Atypical Antipsychotics
Classical Antipsychotics
6. Adrenergic Agonists
Nicotinic Acid (used for high cholesterol)
7. Other Drug Categories
Pentamidine (an antibiotic)
Antiprotozoal Drugs (treat conditions like amebiasis, giardiasis, trichomoniasis, toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, balantidiasis, and babesiosis)
Glucocorticoids (used for inflammation):
Betamethasone
Budesonide
Cortisone
Dexamethasone
Hydrocortisone
Methylprednisolone
Prednisolone
Prednisone
Triamcinolone
8. Anti-Epileptics and Antipsychotics
Used as mood stabilizers for treatment-resistant depression and bipolar II disorder
9. Anti-Neoplastic Agents (for cancer treatment):
Streptozocin
L-Asparaginase
Mithramycin
10. Other Medications
Cyclosporin (an immunosuppressant)
Theophylline (used for bronchodilation in asthma)
Statins (cholesterol-lowering medications)
Drugs That Cause Hypertension
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. Various medications have been linked to the development of hypertension, including:
1. Corticosteroids
Prednisolone
Dexamethasone
Hydrocortisone
Betamethasone
2. Antidepressants
Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Desipramine
Nortriptyline
Doxepin
Imipramine
SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors):
Effexor
Cymbalta
Pristiq
Khedezla
Atypical Antidepressants:
Prozac
Paxil
Luvox
Celexa
Cipralex
Zoloft
3. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Diclofenac
Aspirin
4. Hormonal Medications
Various hormonal therapies can also contribute to hypertension.
5. Decongestants
Medications such as:
Advil Cold and Sinus
Claritin
Tylenol Sinus
Zyrtec
6. Triptans and Ergotamines
Used for migraines, including:
Axert
Relpax
Frova
Amerge
Alsuma
Imitrex
Onzetra
Sumavel
Zembrace
Zomig
7. CNS (Central Nervous System) Stimulants
Legal Stimulants:
Caffeine
ADHD medications
Illegal Stimulants:
Methamphetamine
Cocaine
PCP (angel dust)
Anabolic steroids (can lead to mania, hypomania, and major depression)
8. Immunosuppressants
Certain immunosuppressive medications can lead to increased blood pressure.
9. Acetaminophen
Commonly known as Tylenol, Paracetamol, or Panadol.
10. Bronchodilators
Medications such as:
Salbutamol
Salmeterol
Formoterol
Vilanterol
Drugs That Cause Dyslipidemia (High Cholesterol)
Dyslipidemia, characterized by abnormal lipid levels in the blood, can significantly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Various medications have been associated with dyslipidemia, including:
1. Diuretics
Thiazide Diuretics
2. Beta Blockers
3. Hormonal Medications
Estrogen
Progestins
4. Corticosteroids
5. Retinoids
6. Bile Acid Sequestrants
Fibrates (notably raise triglycerides)
7. Lifestyle Factors
Alcohol
Cigarette Smoking
8. Anti-Retrovirals
9. Lithium
10. Anticonvulsants
11. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Some antidepressants may contribute to dyslipidemia.
12. Antipsychotics
Classical Antipsychotics:
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol
Loxapine
Trifluoperazine
Atypical Antipsychotics:
Aripiprazole
Quetiapine
Olanzapine
Risperidone
Asenapine
2021 Drug Spending: Top 4 Conditions in the U.S.
Oncologics
Cancer drugs that can lead to diabetes.
Mental Health
Spending: $30 billion
Involves drugs that can contribute to both diabetes and high cholesterol.
Antidiabetics
Medications specifically designed to manage diabetes.
Brain Medicine
Focuses on conditions such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia.
Additional Insights:
Dysglycemia (blood sugar imbalance) can act as an indirect pathway to depression. This condition can often be effectively managed with a proper diet and supplementation of the mineral chromium.
Chronic Pain: Often originates as a secondary issue related to mental, emotional trauma, or spiritual distress, explaining why many pain medications target the brain.
Aripiprazole: Marketed as a “mood stabilizer,” this antipsychotic, along with various antidepressants, has been associated with the development of Bipolar II disorder.
Common Drugs That Can Cause Perceived Mental Health Issues
Indirectly:
Antihypertensives
ACE Inhibitors: Mood changes, decreased libido.
Beta Blockers: Nightmares, hallucinations.
Calcium Channel Blockers: Depression, anxiety, distorted sense of reality/identity, restlessness.
Cholesterol Reducers
Statins: Nightmares, fatigue, insomnia, paralysis.
Fibrates: Depression, anxiety, insomnia.
Ezetimibe: Depression.
DPP-4 Inhibitors: Nightmares, anxiety, nervousness, depression.
Antidepressants: All classes can worsen depression, cause restlessness, mania, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, panic, suicidal thoughts, and mood changes.
Directly:
Antipsychotic Agents
Classical: Sexual dysfunction, extrapyramidal effects, Parkinsonism syndrome, tardive dyskinesia.
Atypical: Restlessness, mental impairment, sexual dysfunction, anxiety, trouble sleeping.
GABA Analogs: Anger, mood changes, suicidal ideation, focus issues.
Anticonvulsants: Including Clonazepam, Diazepam, Phenytoin.
Anti-Anxiety Drugs
Benzodiazepines: Difficult withdrawal.
Non-benzodiazepines: Zolpidem, Azoplicone.
SSRIs: Can contribute to mood changes and anxiety.
Pain Medications
Opioids: Depression, hallucinations, insomnia.
Centrally Acting Analgesics: Nervousness, hallucinations.
COX Inhibitors: Mood changes, anger.
H2 Blockers: Hallucinations, psychosis.
Steroids (Prednisone): Delirium, personality changes.
Muscle Relaxants: Restlessness, psychosis.
Asthma Medications: Singulair, Albuterol, etc.
Antibiotics: Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, and Penicillin.
Conclusion
In Naturopathic Medicine, the focus is on addressing the root cause of health disorders through diet, lifestyle changes, and natural therapies rather than masking symptoms with pharmaceuticals. While medications can have significant side effects and potentially result in drug-induced diseases—such as Type II diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and mental health issues—the body has the inherent capacity to heal itself when given the appropriate tools.
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