Commonly Used Medicines and Possible Nutritional Side Effects
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Take this information along the next time you see your doctor, so you can ask about these and other side effects. Your pharmacist also can give you more information on both the prescription and nonprescription drugs you're taking, and she or he can point out your medicines if you don't recognize them by their scientific (generic) names.
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Drugs
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Possible Nutritional Side Effects |
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Analgesics
- Aspirin, ibuprofen
- For pain
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Gastrointestinal (stomach and gut) distress, anemia, loss of appetite
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Cardiovascular agents
- Digoxin, captopril, atenolol
- For heart trouble
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Changed sense of taste, loss of appetite, lightheadedness that may limit daily activities like cooking |
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Laxatives
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Loss of body fluids and essential minerals such as potassium, which can affect heart function |
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Sedative, anti-anxiety, and antipsychotic drugs
- Lithium, thioridazine, chlorpromazine
- For sleep, emotional, and thinking problems
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Appetite changes, weight changes, thirst |
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Respiratory agents
- Theophylline
- For breathing problems such as asthma or COPD
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Rapid heart rate, nervousness, decreased appetite, lightheadedness that may limit daily activities
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Anti-inflammatories
- Prednisone, other corticosteroids, roidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin
- For conditions such as arthritis
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Increased appetites, iron-deficiency anemia, thirst, fluid retention, weight gain, and potential problems with kidney function |
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Diuretics
- Furosemide (Lasix), dyazide
- For fluid retention
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Appetite loss, weight loss, mineral (for example, potassium) loss, thirst |
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Vitamin and mineral supplements
- For specific deficiencies diagnosed by a doctor; vitamins and mineral supplements do not take the place of a well-balanced diet
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Potential toxicity in large doses; reduced effectiveness of certain prescription drugs |
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Your medicines work best when you're getting the right nutrition.
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