Drugs, liver disease and obesity
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Apr 21 2009
Q: I am 58 years old, 5′6″ and 200 lbs, and presently taking Micardis Plus 40 mg., Concore 5 mg, Lipitor 10 mg. and Norvasc 5 mg. What are the bad effects of these medicines to my organs, and how can I avoid them?
A: Your obesity puts you at increased risk of liver disease and is related to your need for drugs that can affect your liver. The drugs you are on can cause an elevation of liver enzymes. If you really want to protect your liver, you should commit to life long life style changes that will allow you to lose weight and keep it off.
Tags: Diet & Exercise, drugs, elevation, life style changes, lipitor, liver disease, liver enzymes, medicines, micardis, Norvasc, obesity, organs, risk, Taking BP MedsCholesterol medicine
Written by: Dr. Rowena | Posted: Nov 07 2008
Q: I had a stroke last year due to high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I am on metoprolol 50 mg, lisinoril 40 mg twice a day, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg once a day and lipitor 80 mg at bedtime. I cannot afford the lipitor and there is no generic. Is there any presciption medicine that can substitute for the lipitor?
A: There are other cholesterol lowering drugs available such as Zocor, Zetia and Pravachol. Although they lower cholesterol, they are not identical to Lipitor. If your doctor feels that Lipitor is the best drug for you, drug assistance programs are available from pharmaceutical companies and other organizations. Go to http://www.rxassist.org to check on what programs are available in your area and for eligibility requirements.
Tags: cholesterol, hydrochlorothiazide, lipitor, lisinoril, metoprolol, Pravachol, Taking BP Meds, Zetia, Zocor
