Dear Pharmacist: Educate yourself about side effects

Dear Pharmacist: Ive recently developed minor numbness and tingling in my hands. Could it be a side effect my medications? Im scared of what else could cause this. S.L., Santa Rosa, Calif.

A: Oh boy, l love talking about side effects. Obviously, consult your doctor to rule out other causes, but the simple answer is Yes! Most practitioners today are not aware that side effects are often the result of drug nutrient depletions, what I call the drug mugging effect. Im happy to say this concept has gained traction in the medical community, partly because Ive been hammering it in the media for 13 years and also because I published a book on it called Drug Muggers.

Theres another layer to consider. We all have unique genetic SNPs (pronounced snips) in our DNA code that cause us to process medications, foods and nutrients a little differently from one another. For example, most autistic children and 20 percent of the general population are poor methylators and thus, need a nutritional helping hand, usually folic acid; vitamin B6, B12 (methylcobalamin), and SAMe are useful, too. These deficiencies may cause numbness and tingling in your extremities, and a host of other plaguing disorders. Drug mugging can cause deficiencies of these nutrients. The most popular offenders are diabetes drugs, estrogen-containing hormones, antacids/acid blockers and steroids. Your particular SNPs or sluggish enzymatic pathways explain varied individual reactions among people. The picture includes delayed metabolism, chronic nutrient deficiencies or hypersensitivity to medicines. I was reminded of this when a friend required emergency treatment from a relatively innocuous antibiotic, but did perfectly fine on a strong steroid that knocks most people for a loop. If you experience uncomfortable side effects, at any time, make that phone call to your physician and pharmacist. Thats what were here for.

For your safety, read the medication leaflet that comes with your receipt at the pharmacy, ask your doctor, and especially your pharmacist, about potential side effects before you take the first dose. Go to my website. Google it. Why not? You need to educate yourself because drugs are tested in relatively healthy individuals, not in average folks who usually take multiple meds and deal with several major health concerns.

Side effects dont always develop immediately. The lowered thyroid hormone that women typically experience from oral contraceptives could take up to a year to show up as they become increasingly fatigued, overweight, cold, uninterested in sex, depressed or anxious. Thats because the medicine gradually depletes essential nutrients that support healthy mood, metabolism and libido and before you know it, youre on three other medications for what is just a nutrient deficiency. My point is that side effects are mistakenly diagnosed as new major illnesses. In my world, these diseases are side effects until proven otherwise. Your side effect solutions are in my book Drug Muggers, and I routinely post free information on my website and Facebook as a public service.

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This information is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition.

Suzy Cohen, author of Drug Muggers and The 24-Hour Pharmacist, can be reached at http://www.DearPharmacist.com.

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Dear Pharmacist: Educate yourself about side effects