Extreme Reactions To Medications Way Up

Study: Deaths, Severe Complications More Than Doubled From 1998-2005

(CBS)  A new study paints an alarming picture of reactions Americans are having to medications.

As The Early Show medical correspondent Dr. Emily Senay explained Tuesday, the study, in the Archives of Internal Medicine, drew from official Food and Drug Administration statistics, and found that "adverse drug events" more than doubled from 1998 to 2005.

Those events include deaths, birth defects, disabilities, hospitalizations, and other life-threatening incidents.

Of the many drugs documented by the study, Senay points out, drugs that work primarily on the immune system and pain relievers were disproportionately represented. Many pain relievers are bought over the counter, without prescriptions.

Senay stresses that people need be more cautious when using those and all drugs. It's easy to overdose these medications, and the numbers in this study suggest there are real consequences.

In 1998, Senay notes, the FDA began what it calls the "adverse event reporting system," which requires both health providers and drug manufacturers to report apparent reactions that people have to drugs.

The researchers report that the number of drug-related fatalities rose more than two-and-a-half times over the eight years from 1998-2005, to more than 15,000 in 2005, and other adverse drug events increased by a similar amount, to nearly 19,000 in the last reporting year.

And, Senay observed, 87 percent of the events were linked to just 20 percent of the medications tracked, meaning a small number of medications had a disproportionate impact on the overall situation.

The study's authors singled out two categories in particular. One includes drugs that alter the function of a patient's immune system, such as those used for autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease. Since a weakened immune system can open the door to infection, that's no surprise -- and it's not uncommon for patients to be aware of this risk.

But the second category they singled out may surprise some people: pain relievers. Senay says prescription medications used for arthritis, such as Vioxx and Celebrex, which studies have famously linked to increased heart risk, were responsible for a certain amount of that. So were very powerful narcotic drugs, including Fentanyl and morphine.

But another pain reliever believed responsible for many deaths is acetaminophen, the active ingredient in many products, including Tylenol. On the list of drugs linked most closely to deaths, acetaminophen is No. 5. People can buy this medication over-the-counter, and therefore might assume that it's safe, but if they use too much of it, they can sustain liver damage, especially if they also consume alcohol.

What's more, Senay adds, it's common for people to take too much acetaminophen. One reason is that it's in numerous products, and you might not even realize it. You might take the recommended dose of each product -- one for menstrual cramps, another for coughs, another for cold or flu, not to mention extra-strength acetaminophen tablets for fever or headache. The label on a bottle of Extra Strength Tylenol says you should take no more than eight tablets every 24 hours. That's all the acetaminophen you should have. So, if you take that dose, and also use any of those other products, you've overdosed on acetaminophen. And this new study confirms that can have serious consequences.

In fact, continued Senay, late last year, the FDA recommended new labeling for products containing acetaminophen, with that ingredient highlighted prominently in color on the drug facts panel, so people could keep better track of just how much they're taking. Through labels like those, the FDA hopes people will keep better track of the acetaminophen they're taking, and avoid the sorts of overdoses that have generated the deaths and adverse health effects documented in the new study.

What other resources to consumers have at their disposal, to avoid the adverse reactions described in this study?

One of the study's authors reminds us how useful pharmacists can be, Senay says. Whenever you get a prescription drug, especially for the first time, quiz your pharmacist about whether he or she thinks the drug and dosage are right for the condition you want to treat, and ask about interactions with other medications you take. If the pharmacist has doubts, double check everything with your doctor. That's especially true for the drugs in that upper 20 percent that produce the greatest number of adverse events.

For info from the FDA on using over-the-counter medications safely, click here.

[paris64]

I have been fighting pharmaceutical companies over 25 years. I have been trying to educate adults as well as children the dangers of OTC DRUGS.(www.grassroots72hours.com)Our Immune System is being pulverized and undermined with OTC Drugs. Infections are runnining rampant in our society today.contact me, help me in my fight against Goliath

[john0211]

DOCTORS, What do you have to say about this catastrophic increase in the number of drug deaths, and injury''s in this story DOCTORS. We all know that as shocking, and horrible as these reported numbers are. The actual number of deaths, and injury''s are at least 10x this.

Because you DOCTORS are paid by the pharmaceutical companies to cover up the actual cause of death. Especially the county coroners, and pathologist. And you Doctors cover up for each other too. A sort of. "I wont tell you killed your patients. If you don''t tell I killed my patients too." Isn''t that right DOCTORS!

It looks to me like you DOCTORS should be more worried about all the patients you are MURDERING. Rather than Universal Health Care. And government oversight of your MURDEROUS medical practice.

On the other hand. Maybe that is why you are so concerned about stopping the people from having universal health care. You wont be able to POISON, and MURDER them with impunity the way you do now.

Have a good day!

[john0211]

DOCTORS, What do you have to say about this catastrophic increase in the number of drug deaths, and injury''s in this story DOCTORS. We all know that as shocking, and horrible as these reported numbers are. The actual number of deaths, and injury''s are at least 10x this.

Because you DOCTORS are paid by the pharmaceutical companies to cover up the actual cause of death. Especially the county coroners, and pathologist. And you Doctors cover up for each other too. A sort of. "I wont tell you killed your patients. If you don''t tell I killed my patients too." Isn''t that right DOCTORS!

It looks to me like you DOCTORS should be more worried about all the patients you are MURDERING. Rather than Universal Health Care. And government oversight of your MURDEROUS medical practice.

On the other hand. Maybe that is why you are so concerned about stopping the people from having universal health care. You wont be able to POISON, and MURDER them with impunity the way you do now.

Have a good day!

[hypnotoad72]

Where are these drugs made? If not in the US, then why are prices for them so astronomical here (yet nowhere else if some web articles are telling the truth, which I''m hoping they''re not)?

[rhs648]

correction

The politicians like to say that this money does not influence their vote, and support of the American people. Well now is the time to prove it. Support, and pass HR 676 Universal National Health Care For All, NOW! Like every other developed, civilized country in the world has done.

Posted by DoctorDorin

Universal National Health Care is a misguided notion that is synonymous with mediocre medical care, long delays, and inferior care for the masses. Why take the world''''s best and most advanced medical care and dummy it down. Don''''t fall for this unless you want systems like those of England, Canada, and Russia. Do you want to be told that you are too old for a heart transplant, kidney dialysis, or many of the treatments now available to Americans. If you want a single payer system, just think of what you get from cable TV and how expensive it is. What else can we expect from monopolies? Furthermore, these advocates of universal heath care are promising you lower premiums. Instead, you will pay higher premiums to cover the uninsured and they will be mandatory.

Posted by rhs648

[rhs648]

The politicians like to say that this money does not influence their vote, and support of the American people. Well now is the time to prove it. Support, and pass HR 676 Universal National Health Care For All, NOW! Like every other developed, civilized country in the world has done.

Posted by DoctorDorin

Universal National Health Care is a misguided notion that is synonmous with mediocre medical care, long delays, and inferior care for the masses. Why take the world''s best and most advanced medical care and dummy it down. Don''t fall for this unless you want systems like those of England, Canada, and Russia. Do you want to be told that you are too old for a heart transplant, kidney dialysis, or many of the treatments now available to Americans. If you want a single payer system, just think of what you get from cable TV and how expensive it is. What else can we expect from monopolies?

[john0211]

Everet3 - Thank you for your story. Their are many tragic story''s of sick, suffering, and desperate Americans like you. Trying to survive our disgraceful greed driven, profit driven Health Care disgrace. All I can tell you is to hold on. And try to survive as best you can. For as long as you can. Help, and hope is on the way.

Those of us that can. Must push as hard as we can. And do every thing we can to get HR 676 passed as quickly as we can. Millions of Americans are suffering, and dying. We need every body to help.

To those of you in the thicket of this worthy health care battle. Remember to take good care of your-self, and your health. You have to stay strong. And fight tough till the battle is won. Pickup the sword. Hold it tight. And use it. sickocure.org, michaelmoore.com

[everet3]

The FDA was suppose to ban any drug or drugs containing Sulfate, yet the transplant center I was going to before I was kicked off because of a lie that was told on me, was feeding me Neomycin Sulfate twice a day for 7 years. My daughter went all around the University of Health and Science at San Antonio, Texas asking if there was a drug or drugs that would counteract Neomycin Sulfate because one of the side affects of it is that it take away your hearing. Somehow it gets back to the transplant clinic that I am looking for drugs to get high on when in fact I am now totally deaf in both ears because of Neomycin Sulfate and she was just looking for a drug to get my hearing back. That''s the lie. Now I do not have a transplant center, you can say you are talking to a dead man right now. What happened?

[john0211]

Many of your politicians have received a great deal of money in contributions from Doctors, Pharmaceutical companies, Insurance Companies, and Hospitals. And promises of even more money later. And more money when they leave office. To do the wrong thing. The corrupt thing. The immoral thing.

To let the Doctors, Pharmaceutical companies, Insurance Companies, and Hospitals. Continue to rape the American people. Even the little children, and babies.

The politicians like to say that this money does not influence their vote, and support of the American people. Well now is the time to prove it. Support, and pass HR 676 Universal National Health Care For All, NOW! Like every other developed, civilized country in the world has done.

It''s the right thing to do for America, the American people, and the children of America.

You, the American people have to hold your politicians accountable for this CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY, AMERICA, and your children. If this disgrace in health care continues much longer.

Each of you that can, must pickup the sword for Universal National Health Care For All. Hold it tight. And use it. Each of you individually, and collectively must stop this orgy of greed, and profiteering in human suffering. YOU HAVE THE POWER. USE IT. sickocure.org, michaelmoore.com

God Bless You...

[docadams3]

Drug companies own Congress and the Presidency. What do you expect?

[drinuk]

I note that CBS quickly got this item off the "Front Page" Oh! those dam stockholders and Advertisers !
Never mind the real customers, lets just run the channel for our paymasters.

[rsmorhea]

Its not even newsworthy anymore to see all the pharmaceutical "problems" being reported daily. What''s really upsetting is to know that other options have existed for some time that are as effective or more effective than pharmaceuticals with virtually NO side effects or deaths. New medical reports show that the only logical way to proceed in future medical treatment is to involve physics and not just chemistry. Like many, many Americans, I feel like pharmaceutical companies create new diseases and medical indications for the sole purpose of "hawking" more drugs...Enough is enough!

[drinuk]

DoctorDorin, How timely your intervention is, blame the whole scenario of poorly approved drugs through the back door and the resultant deaths on counterfeit drugs, how bloody convenient for Big Pharma. Where on earth did they find you, you have to hand it to them, a plot fit for Hitchcock.

Get Real, it is corruption INSIDE America, they are the real terrorists. I''ve heard it all now, Bin Laden to blame for Big Pharma''s villainy and greed, CRETIN !

[sasi1-2009]

I totally agree with Drinuk on BIG PHARMA! Look how hard the companies fought over those rhuematoid meds! It took several deaths to get FDA to act.
Medicare paid for a great many prescriptions for these products! Another issue is the fact that many people in this country suffer from various lung problems such as COPD, and medicare pays for certain nebulizer medications used for these diseases. Currently the cost for all the meds used in nebulizers exceeds $1000.00 per month & most people take at least two meds for a cost of at least $800.00 per month. Here''s what is so asinine about this; these nebulizer meds could be replaced by inhalants at a cost of about $250.00 per month for a savings of at least $550.00/month per involved person. I''ve written my representatives & asked them WHY? I''ve also written Social Security & asked WHY? Haven''t gotten a reply, but I think the reason is the companies furnishing those expensive meds are paying big bucks to keep them on the medicare payroll.

[tucano2]

This is likely a direct result of US drug manufacturers sending offshore for basic materials as compounded by typical 3rd world conditions manufacturing. Merck''s MMR vaccine, which causes thousands of children each year to go deaf, is a primary suspect example of good medicine gone bad.

[doctordorin]

Doctor Emily Senay''s piece, "Extreme Reactions To Medications Way Up
Study: Deaths, Severe Complications More Than Doubled From 1998-2005," would have been more valuable if it had referenced my upcoming book "Jihad and American Medicine." My book (Greenwood Publishing Group, 11/30/07) addresses the safety and security risks inherent to our health care delivery system. As I describe, my research into the risks of terrorism and other forms of mischief in the medical field led me to several unique-yet alarming--patterns that lead to patient injury and death. One area covered extensively in my book is the huge problem that exists w/regard to counterfeit medications and our inability to accurately account for medical errors (which cause upwards of 100,000 preventable deaths each year in America alone). How many of these ''errors'' are really the result of some form of mischief? How well do we track medications and other medical supplies from the factory to the bedside? Answers to these and other questions are of paramount importance to the security and well-being of every American, and every patient anywhere...
With the ever-present threat of another terrorist attack on U.S. soil, the recent UK ''Doctor Terrorist'' scare, and today''s Florida VA hospital bomb scare, my book is timely on many levels...
www.adamdorin.com

[john0211]

drinuk - Amen! brother Amen!...

[drinuk]

If after this report anyone believes that the crooked incestuous relationship between Big Pharma, the FDA and the Politicians is not killing Americans for Money, they are just plain stupid and retarded. That of course excludes those who are part of and support this evil empire, they can see no wrong.

We have physicians being paid over $400,000 over five year periods by Big Pharma, on that basis, how much is flowing down the corridors of the FDA and into the bank accounts of politicians.

The Mafia pale into insignificance compared to these crooks. Today as we Remember those slaughtered on 9/11 we should also take five minutes to spare a thought for the millions killed by Big Pharma and their greedy pals.

[john0211]

I hate using fancy medical terms. But "board chest" is also called "thoracic rigidity". There, I did it!

[john0211]

The woman in the story said that her relative was given Fentanyl for sleep apnea after surgery. Well if that is correct. And she is reading this message. Let me tell you your relative was murdered. Giving Fentanyl to someone with sleep apnea is how you kill them. Not how you treat their pain or sleep apnea.

Fentanyl has a well known side effect called "board chest". Look it up. That''s right. It can make your chest as stiff as a board. And make you unable to breath. Just think about it. You take someone who already has a problem with breathing in their sleep. Then you give them a drug that gives them board chest to take when they sleep. It sure did help him sleep. Forever!

Fentanyl should only be used by a doctor during surgery with a machine to breath for you when you stop breathing. You should contact your DA.