Antibiotics Causing Nerve and Tendon Damage

A recent customer asked what could be used for peripheral neuropathy.  He was not a diabetic and it began three weeks ago after a sinus infection.  He had taken an antibiotic known as ciprofloxacin.

This was likely a drug induced "side effect".  This August the FDA is requiring labeling changes to the antibiotic drug class known as fluoroquinolones that include AveloxÒ (moxifloxacin),  CiproÒ (ciprofloxacin), LevaquinÒ (levofloxacin), Factive (gemifloxacin), and NoroxinÒ (norfloxacin).  Fluoroquinolones carry the risk of serious peripherial neuropathy (nerve damage) that may be permanent. 

Peripheral neuropathy symptoms may include muscle weakness, tingling, numbness and burning pain of the legs or feet.   It can feel like freezing, burning, or electric like sensations.  Many diabetics experience these symptoms.  Unfortunately, this drug induced problem may be associated with other nerve related problems including tinnitus (ringing in the ears), decreased sense of smell or hearing, anxiety, headache, and memory problems.  In 2008, the FDA also issued a warning about tendon damage as some individual experienced a sudden tear of the Achilles' tendon.  This disaster may impact other joints to include inflammation of tendons, weakness,  and swelling.

Fluoroquinolone's are suppose to be used for serious bacterial infections.  They chemically have a fluoride attached which allows greater penetration in tissue that is not easy to reach.  This includes the brain where it interferes with GABA receptors associated with calming, hence, anxiety and panic attacks.  This class of antibiotics are also associated with the development of MRSA and C. Diff (Clostridium difficile) bacterial infections.

Who would think that taking a "simple" antibiotic had the potential to create such havoc? 

Diabetic neuropathy has been helped with alpha lipoic acid 300mg three times daily.  It is best to find a compound pharmacy (requires a prescription) that keeps this health fat frozen or in the refrigerator, as it is a perishable product.  Add a vitamin B Complex.   Magnesium Complex can be helpful for nerve or muscle related problems.  Neuropain HP by Natural Creations is a homeopathic that can be helpful for nerve related pain.  And, always take a good probiotic (Enterobiotic SBO) any time you take an antibiotic.

Stay Well

Constipation, Drugs That Make You Crazy and Antifreeze

Constipation can cause many unpleasant symptoms that can make you, let's say, irritable.  I recently became aware from the FDA that a prescription and over-the-counter drug used to treat constipation can make you crazy.  The FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) shows that Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 3350) has caused "neuropsychiatric events".  This refers to neurological symptoms of the brain and nervous system.  Such disorders may include Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Multiple sclerosis, ADD, schizophrenia, depression, autism, and dementia.  I would speculate that PEG interferes with the absorption of nutrients.  Another consideration is that the gut acts as a second brain.  There is a huge gut/brain connection.  We should have seen this one coming.

 

As a side note the same AERS reported problems with commonly prescribed gabapentin and antiacids known as proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, Dexilant, Nexium, Protonix).

Miralax (PEG 3350) is made by attaching molecules of ethylene glycol as a chain.  Ethylene glycol is better known as antifreeze for the automotive industry.  It disrupts hydrogen bonds to change the freezing point of water.  As a laxative it increases water in the bowel. PEG, also known as Carbowax is used in an impressive array of commercial products for just about anything imaginable.

Last year(June 2012) the Empire State Consumer Commission filed a Citizens Petition with the FDA calling for:

 "An immediate recall of PEG 3350 laxatives for addition of a black box warning against use in children and warning of potential adverse events associated with PEG 3350 laxative products. Adverse events reported in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System include, but are not limited to:  gastrointestinal, renal, urological, hematological, neurological, neuropsychiatric, dermatological, and at least 3 child fatalities. Adverse events are also outlined by the FDA Drug Safety Oversight"

 The ability to have daily, yes daily, bowel movements is imperative to good health.  Good hydration will aid in this endeavor.  Consider a good probiotic such as Enterobiotic SBO to soften the stool and create a healthy bacterial environment.  Fiber is important to add bulk and absorb bowel toxins and bile.  Consider psyllium (Metamucil), psyllium and ground flax seed (Fiber PF), or bamboo cellulose (EZ Fiber).  Homeopathics include Constipation CP for children and Constipation Drops for adults. Severe cases may require enemas.  For a better position in the relief consider the Squatty Potty.

Stay Well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Flavors?

The term natural may be misleading.  After all, poison ivy, snake venom and horse urine is natural.  If an ingredient is classified as a natural ingredient then why not just name the ingredient.  You can even find the term “Natural Flavors” on many “health” related products.

One of the most interesting and disgusting natural flavors is derived from the castor sac of the North American Beaver (Castor Canadensis).  This is not to be confused with castor oil or the old remedy Fletcher's Castoria.  The castoreum, secretions from this sac is used to mark the territory of the beaver.  These sacs are aged and used in artificial raspberry or strawberry flavoring.  These “natural” flavors may be found in candy, drinks, ice tea, and yogurt. 

Castoreum is classified by the FDA as GRAS (generally recognized as safe).  How in the world did someone come up with the idea?  First you must remove them and wonder what they could be used for.  Since they initially were not palatable then you must certainly conclude that aging would help.  “Tastes like berries after it is two years old?”  Castoreum has also been used in classic perfumes, perhaps for the phoneme effect.  Which makes me wonder what tasting like strawberries has to do with attraction.  Does it attract or keep the beavers away? 

Castoreum is actually an old remedy (Boericke’s Materia Medica) for hysteria that may explain how someone got the idea.  It was also used for dysmenorrhea and painful tympanities (gas trapped in the abdomen-Greek). 

Compounding Pharmacies

The tragic news of deaths related to contaminated injectables goes beyond the personal responsibility that every healthcare professional shares.  The “compounding” pharmacy involved is obviously not a compounding pharmacy but a manufacturer.  The production of 17,700 vials of product is not compounding.  Compounding is where a pharmacy combines ingredients that are not commercially available for a specific patient.  Pharmacists are allowed to compound stock for anticipated prescriptions.  I provided sterile compounding from 1983 to about 2002 and actually made the product in question.  However, after each batch was compounded, a sample was sent to an independent lab for testing to confirm potency and sterility before any product was dispensed.  This was not a requirement but just good procedure.  This is now a current “standard” according to USP guidelines.  The manufacturer in question was obviously not following current compounding guidelines or what is known as FDA good manufacturing practices.

Dr. John Carr has a more detailed blog about compounding pharmacies at his Holy Hormones blog spot.