Introduction
As a pharmacist, I have seen firsthand how medications are often overprescribed. From antibiotics to opioids, many medications are prescribed too often and can have serious side effects. In this article, I will discuss why certain medications are prescribed too often and provide tips on how to make healthier choices when it comes to medication. I will also provide some alternatives to medications that can help you achieve the same results without the potential risks. By making informed decisions about your health, you can reduce your risk of developing serious health problems.
I am a Pharmacist and I Think These Medications are Prescribed Too Often — Eat This Not That
As a pharmacist, I have seen firsthand how certain medications are prescribed too often. While some medications are necessary for treating certain conditions, there are other alternatives that can be just as effective. Here are some of the medications I think are prescribed too often, and what you can do instead.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are often prescribed for conditions that don’t require them, such as the common cold. While antibiotics can be effective in treating bacterial infections, they can also cause side effects and can lead to antibiotic resistance. Instead of antibiotics, try natural remedies such as garlic, honey, and ginger to help fight off infections.
Steroids
Steroids are often prescribed for conditions such as asthma and allergies. While they can be effective in treating these conditions, they can also have serious side effects. Instead of steroids, try natural remedies such as acupuncture, herbal supplements, and probiotics to help reduce inflammation and improve your overall health.
Painkillers
Painkillers are often prescribed for conditions such as headaches and muscle pain. While they can be effective in treating these conditions, they can also be addictive and can lead to serious health problems. Instead of painkillers, try natural remedies such as massage, yoga, and acupuncture to help reduce pain and improve your overall health.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants are often prescribed for conditions such as depression and anxiety. While they can be effective in treating these conditions, they can also have serious side effects. Instead of antidepressants, try natural remedies such as exercise, meditation, and talk therapy to help improve your mood and reduce anxiety.
As a pharmacist, I believe it is important to be aware of the medications that are prescribed too often and to consider natural alternatives. While some medications are necessary for treating certain conditions, there are other alternatives that can be just as effective. By being aware of the medications that are prescribed too often, you can make informed decisions about your health and well-being.
Medicine saves lives, but it can also be abused. Drugs are over prescribed at an alarming rate in the U.S. according to a study that was presented at IDWeek 2018. “We found that nearly half the time, clinicians have either a bad reason for prescribing antibiotics, or don’t provide a reason at all,” Jeffrey A. Linder, MD, MPH, lead author of the study and chief of the Division of General Internal Medicine and Geriatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago. “When you consider about 80 percent of antibiotics are prescribed on an outpatient basis, that’s a concern.” But it’s not just antibiotics that are being over prescribed. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with HaVy Ngo-Hamilton, Pharm.D, BuzzRx Clinical Consultant who shares five drugs that are commonly taken too often and can have harmful effects. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
According to the Lown Institute, “Every day, 750 older Americans are hospitalized due to serious side effects from one or more medications. The odds of experiencing a serious adverse reaction to a medication increases 7 to 10 percent with each additional drug—yet today, more than 40 percent of older Americans regularly take 5 or more prescription drugs, and nearly 20 percent take more than 10 medications. When over-the-counter meds are included, a full two-thirds of older adults take 5 or more medications.” The organization adds, “If current trends continue, the Lown Institute predicts, over the next decade there will be more than 4.5 million hospitalizations of older adults for serious side effects of medications.”
Dr. Ngo-Hamilton says, “Examples of some commonly used antibiotics are amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin), cefdinir, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim). Some of the common antifungal medications are fluconazole (Diflucan) and terbinafine (Lamisil).
Antibiotics are used to treat different types of bacterial infections such as strep throat, ear infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), and skin infections. Even though antibiotics are not effective against viral infections, they are often prescribed for patients with viral illnesses such as head colds or the flu. Patients also play a role in this problem. A lot of people would ask for a prescription for an antibiotic “just in case.” Typically, these patients also tend to save unused antibiotics and self-medicate the next time they are feeling under the weather. I cannot put enough emphasis on the importance of taking an antibiotic exactly as prescribed and only using antibiotics that are prescribed to you by your doctor. Inappropriate use of antibiotics not only does not kill all the bacteria causing the illness, but the bacteria develops a resistance to the medication that allows it to survive and ultimately become harder to treat. This is a serious public health issue. Antimicrobial resistance can affect anybody at any age, though, if you have a weakened immune system or are over the age of 65, this puts you at heightened risk for antimicrobial resistance.”
Dr. Ngo-Hamilton states, “Chronic and acute insomnia are the problems that many of us deal with on a daily basis. Underlying medical conditions can play a part in unhealthy sleeping patterns. In addition to that, life stressors are also the culprits for insomnia. Along with over-the-counter sleep aids, Ambien (zolpidem) is prescribed quite often. If you are not able to fall asleep or get enough sleep at night, you will not be able to function well during the day. It is totally safe to need sleeping medications to get through periods of life stressors or environmental changes, however, without practicing sleep hygiene, you may gradually become dependent on these sleeping pills to be able to fall asleep.
Practicing sleep hygiene is the best way to maintain healthful sleep. Using sleeping pills is acceptable; however, it is best to incorporate a healthy bedtime routine while tapering down on sleep aids; that way, you won’t become completely dependent on sleep aids.”
Dr. Ngo-Hamilton explains, “Corticosteroids, often known as steroids, are prescribed to help you get over an illness. It is a common practice to prescribe a steroid dose pack along with a course of antibiotics. Taking steroids to overcome the symptoms of certain illnesses is not a bad thing, as long as you follow directions to taper it properly. Often patients do not follow the directions to properly taper off the medication. Knowing the common side effects of steroids is also helpful since this type of medicine can cause some unpleasant side effects such as sleep problems and swelling.”
“Decongestant nasal sprays are often used when someone has a cold or flu,” says Dr. Ngo-Hamilton. “It is often prescribed to relieve the unpleasant state of being congested. Decongestant nasal sprays are very effective; however, they should not be used long-term. It is important to know that overusing decongestant nasal spray can lead to rebound congestion.”
According to Dr. Ngo-Hamilton, “Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are very effective in treating and preventing GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), gastric ulcers, and indigestion. PPIs are considered to be fairly safe for most people; however, long-term use of these medications has been found to be associated with an increased risk of bone fracture, community-acquired pneumonia, and the development of clostridium difficile (C.Diff) infections. PPIs are overprescribed due to the lack of a clear indication at the beginning of treatment. In addition to that, the lack of treatment re-evaluation leads to unnecessary chronic use of PPIs which, sometimes, can cause more harm than benefits. If you are taking a prescription PPI such as pantoprazole or omeprazole for severe GERD, re-evaluation of treatment is necessary between 4-8 weeks. You should not discontinue this medicine abruptly, follow your doctor’s instructions to taper PPI then gradually replace it with a histamine-2 receptor blocker like ranitidine.”
Heather Newgen