Many drugs that treat bodily ills can alter mood, memory and other mental functions. Often the trials required to approve new drugs miss these uncommon side effects, but when the medications go on the market and are doled out to millions, thousands of people can be at risk. The drugs listed below are some of the most commonly prescribed in America; each one (including its generic versions) likely causes at least 10,000 patients—some, more than 100,000—to experience mental side effects every year.
List of Drugs:
ZITHROMAX (azithromycin): Treats bacterial infections, including strep throat, ear infections and pneumonia
Side effects: Aggression and anxiety in less than 1 percent of users
Zithromax prevents bacteria from making proteins they need to grow. Ills unknown how the drug may cause anxiety, but research shows that it can cross the blood-brain stream
PROPECIA (finasteride): Reverses baldness
Side effects: Depression and suicidal thoughts affect at least 10 percent of users
Propecia works by preventing testosterone from being converted into another hormone that is involved In hairless. This action may lead to lower levels of a steroid derived from testosterone; low levels of this steroid have been linked to mood disorders.
NORVASC(amlodipine): Lowers blood pressure
Side effects: Insomnia, nervousness, depression, abnormal dreams. anxiety and depersonalization (the feeling of watching yourself and having no control over your actions) in less than 1 percent but more than 0.1 percent of users
How Norvasc acts on the brain is unknown.
For more drugs click on the link below
Category(s):Health / Illness / Medical Issues
Source material from Scientific American
