No Side Effects

No side effects serves as  common sense guide towards less side effects in regards to prescription drugs. My 76 year old grandmother is currently being prescribed 13 different types of drugs with each having atleast 10 side effects.  My goal is to find natural medications with little or no side effects. Having cancer and diagnosed as a diabetic, taking insulin shots, constantly being in pain. My grandmother became a prisoner of side effects. Six years and counting has made me realized  that good health is of importance and change needs to happen. This free information site is to give hope to the hopeless into finding alternative remedies as it relates to health.

Ditropan

This medication relaxes muscle spasms of the bladder. It is used to relieve certain bladder and urinary conditions.

Side Effects

Drymouth  or eyes, headache, constipation, nausea, or drowsiness may occur. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: weakness, dizziness, vision problems, symptoms of urinary infection (e.g., urinary burning, urgent or frequent urination). Unlikely but report promptly: eye pain, difficulty with urination, severe stomach pain, chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat, fever, mental/mood changes, flushing hot or dry skin. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water or use saliva substitute. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Metformin

This medication is a biguanide-type medicine that is used along with a diet and exercise program to control high blood sugar in diabetic patients. This medication works by helping to restore your body's proper response to the insulin you naturally produce, and by decreasing the amount of sugar that your liver makes and that your stomach/intestines absorb. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness and circulation problems, as well as decreased sexual ability (impotence).

Side Effects

Nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea or metallic taste may occur initially as your body adjusts to the medication. If stomach symptoms recur later (after you are on the same dose for several days or weeks), tell your doctor immediately. A late recurrence of stomach symptoms may be due to lactic acidosis. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication usually does not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), but this effect may occur if you do not consume enough calories (from food, juices, fruit, etc.). The symptoms include chills, cold sweat, dizziness, drowsiness, shaking, rapid heartbeat, weakness, headache, fainting, tingling of the hands or feet, or hunger. It is a good habit to carry glucose tablets or gel to treat low blood sugar. If you are in a situation where you don't have these reliable forms of glucose, eat a quick source of sugar such as table sugar, honey, or candy, or drink a glass of orange juice or non-diet soda to quickly raise your blood sugar level. Tell your doctor immediately about the reaction. To help prevent hypoglycemia, eat meals on a regular schedule and do not skip meals. Symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) include thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately. Your medication dosage may need to be increased. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Metoprolol

This medication is a beta-blocker used to treat chest pain (angina) and high blood pressure. It is also used after an acute heart attack to improve survival. High blood pressure reduction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels. This results in a lowering of the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart.

Side Effects

 Metoprolol is generally well tolerated. Side effects include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, dreaming, memory loss, fever, impotence, lightheadedness, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, cold extremities, sore throat, and shortness of breath or wheezing. Metoprolol can aggravate breathing difficulties in patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.

Lunesta

Eszopiclone is a non-benzodiazepine, oral, sedative drug ("sleeping pill") that is used for treating insomnia. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 50 million Americans suffer from insomnia. Symptoms of insomnia include difficulty falling asleep, awakening frequently during the night, waking up too early, an inability to fall back to sleep, or awakening in the morning not feeling refreshed. Most drugs that have been used to treat insomnia are benzodiazepines, for example, flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), tirazolam (Halcion), and temazepam (Restoril). zolpidem (Ambien) was the first non-benzodiazepine approved for insomnia in over 20 years. Eszopiclone is unique in that it is the only drug used for insomnia that has been shown to be safe and effective for up to six months. Eszopiclone was approved by the FDA in December, 2004.

Side Effects

 Patients taking eszopiclone or any other sedative drug may develop dependence on the drug for sleep and experience withdrawal symptoms when the drug is discontinued. The most common side effects of eszopiclone are dizziness and loss of coordination.

Lantus insulin

Insulin glargine is used to treat diabetes mellitus. Like other insulin products, it works by helping sugar (glucose) get into cells but has a more long-acting (over 24 hours) effect. Controlling high blood sugar helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, circulation problems, and blindness.

Side Effects

Injection site reactions (e.g., pain, redness, irritation) may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) occur: fainting, cold sweats, shaking/tremor, unusually fast heartbeat,headache, slurred speech, seizures. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) occurs: unusual drowsiness, confusion, rapid breathing, fruity breath odor, increased urination, unusual thirst. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include:rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Tarka

This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. This product contains 2 medications, trandolapril and verapamil. Trandolapril is an ACE inhibitor, and verapamil is a calcium channel blocker. They both work differently to relax the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. Verapamil may also decrease the heart rate. They are used together when one medication is not controlling your blood pressure.

Side Effects

 Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, weakness or dry cough may occur during the first several days as your body adjusts to this medication. If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Unlikely but report promptly: fast/slow/irregular pulse, chest pain, swelling of hands or feet, muscle cramps or weakness. Very unlikely but report promptly: fever or persistent sore throat, change in amount of urine, fainting, mental/mood changes. This drug may rarely cause serious (possibly fatal) liver problems. If you notice any of the following highly unlikely but very serious side effects, seek immediate medical attention: yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent fatigue, persistent nausea. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, lips, tongue, or throat), or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Levoxyl

Levothyroxine is used to replace the hormone that is normally produced by the thyroid gland for a condition known as hypothyroidism. It is important to have adequate levels of thyroid hormone in your bloodstream in order for various organ systems in your body to function properly. This medication is used to treat other types of thyroid disorders as well (e.g., certain types of goiters, thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, and thyroid cancer).

Side Effects

Symptoms of low thyroid levels include fatigue, muscle aches,constipation, dry skin, weight gain, slow heart rate, sensitivity to cold, or dry brittle hair that tends to fall out easily. These symptoms should disappear as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become bothersome, notify your doctor promptly.Headache, nervousness, trembling, sweating, increased appetite, diarrhea, weight loss or insomnia may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your your doctor promptly. In rare instances, some hair loss may occur during the first few months of starting this drug. This effect is usually temporary as your body adjusts to this medication. If this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects: chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these very unlikely but serious side effects: seizures. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Allegra

 Fexofenadine is an antihistamine that provides relief of seasonal allegra symptoms such as runny or itchy nose, sneezing, itchy throat, and watery, itchy, or red eyes. It is also used for hives.

Side Effects

Stomach upset, menstrual cramps, back pain, cough, fever, stuffy nose, earache or dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This medication does not usually cause drowsiness when used at recommended doses and under normal circumstances. However, this drug may make you dizzy; therefore use caution engaging in activities that require alertness such as driving or using machinery. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Cilostazol

 Cilostazol is used to reduce leg pain when walking and limping caused by blood circulation disease peripheral vascular disease. This medication helps to increase your walking distance by improving blood and oxygen flow in the legs. It works by widening blood vessels in the legs and by blocking certain blood cells called platelets to prevent them from forming harmful blood clots.

Side Effects

Headache, diarrhea, and dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, swelling of the hands/feet. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, vision changes ,onesided   weakness, slurred speech, confusion, chest pain, yellowing of the eyes/skin, easy bruising/bleeding, black or bloody stools, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent soar throat), cough with trouble breathing. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Plavix

Clopidogrel is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in persons with heart disease (recent heart attack, unstable angina), recent stroke , or blood circulation disease peripheral vascular disease). It works by blocking certain blood cells called platelets and prevents them from forming harmful blood clots. This "anti-platelet" effect helps to keep blood flowing smoothly in your body.

Side Effects

Stomach upset/pain, diarrhea, constipation, headache, dizziness, rash, flu-like symptoms, or back/joint pain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. While you are taking this drug, it may take longer for bleeding to stop if you experience a cut or injury. Although unlikely, tell your doctor immediately if any of these signs of serious bleeding occur: unusual or easy bruising/bleeding, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: chest pain, swelling, depression. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), unusual weakness, vision changes, slurred speech, confusion. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: severe rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Zocor

Simvastatin is an enzyme blocker (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor), also known as a "statin". It is used along with a proper diet to help lower cholesterol and fats (triglycerides) in the blood. In general, this drug is prescribed after non-drug treatment options have not been fully successful at lowering cholesterol (e.g., diet change, increase in exercise, weight loss if overweight). Reducing cholesterol and triglycerides help prevent strokes and heart attacks. Simvastatin is used in adults and children (10 years of age and older). Young girls must have had their menstrual periods for at least one year before starting this medication.

Side Effects

Stomach upset may occur. If this effect persists or worsens, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. This drug may infrequently cause muscle damage (which can rarely lead to a very serious, possibly fatal, condition called rhabdomyolysis). Seek immediate medical attention if you develop: muscle pain/tenderness/weakness (especially with fever or unusual tiredness). Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: yellowing eyes and skin, dark urine, severe fatigue, stomach/abdominal pain, persistent nausea, change in the amount of urine. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Lasix

Furosemide is a potent diuretic (water pill). Furosemide works by blocking the absorption of salt and fluid in the kidney tubules, causing a profound increase in urine output (diuresis). The diuretic effect of furosemide can cause body water and electrolyte depletion. Therefore, careful medical supervision is necessary during treatment.

Side Effects

Commonly observed side effects are low blood pressure, and water and electrolyte depletion. Less common side effects include jaundice, ringing in ears (tinnitus), light sensitivity, rash, pancreatitis, nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, anemia, and other blood disorders.