Prescription Drugs Cause Sudden Heart Attack Deaths

Prescription Drugs Cause Sudden Heart Attack Deaths: "Prescription Drugs Cause Sudden Heart Attack Deaths
By David Liu, Ph.D.
May 11, 2005, 11:52


Seven prescription drugs cause more than 16,000 sudden heart attack deaths each year in the UK, Europe and the U.S., according to a study published in the European Heart Journal.

Among the seven drugs studied, two are the antibiotics erythromycin and clarithromycin and others are cisapride (Propulsid)and domperidone used to treat gastro-intestinal conditions, and the anti-psychotic medications chlorpromazin(Thorazine), haloperidol(Haldol)and pimozide(Orap).

These drugs interfere with the heartbeat rhythms or prolong the heart's QTc interval and cause sudden deaths from heart attack.

Researchers studied 775 cases of sudden heart death between 1995 and 2003 and found that 320 cases were caused by the seven drugs. The results indicated that there are 1,200 deaths each year in the UK and 15,000 in Europe and the U.S.

Researchers found that the risks were highest among those who had used the drugs for less than 90 days and among women and older patients.

QTc prolongation has already been used as a surrogate marker for the prediction of drug side effects."
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My note:
Make sure you discuss these medications with your health care provider!

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
OlderWiserWomen.com