4 questions doctors are often asked about prescription meds

There is a lot of valuable information available about side effects from medication. When a doctor prescribes a medication, and it is to be taken for the rest of your life, the reasonable person heads to the internet.  Go for it.  Learn the side effects, the alternatives and the rewards. Knowledge is power but only if you use it wisely.

Be careful before stopping medication without speaking with your doctor, as this can have consequences to your health.  About half the calls that I get from patients are related to problems with medications.  Here are answers to the most common questions that I hear:

I feel tired all of the time. Could it be from one of my medications?

You and your doctor should do a careful review of each medication that you are taking.  Some medications are infamous for causing fatigue, such as beta-blockers.  It is also important to note that medical problems can be the cause of fatigue. Make sure that an undiagnosed medical issue such as anemia, low thyroid, or sleep apnea is not contributing to your tiredness.

Can I stop taking some of my medications?

Many medications should not be stopped abruptly and I would suggest that you should  let your doctor know before you plan to stop taking a medication.  I often see someone in the office who has stopped a medication six months earlier because of a side effect, and I only find out about it at the time of a routine office visit.  If you stop a medication for conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes you can do harm by stopping without guidance from a doctor.

If you really want to get off a particular type of medication, here's one approach you can use —  Go to your doctor and say the following, "If I lose 15 pounds and exercise, and continue this for several months, would it be okay with you if we worked together to decrease my medications?"  Prove to your physician that not only do you want to talk the talk, but you want to walk the walk.

I often use this comment as a chance to have a discussion about how we are going to better communicate in the future.  I might make a deal with my patient- to become partners in this endeavor.  If they need a medication and have concerns or side effects, we will either try another medication or talk about what they might be able to do to avoid taking the medication completely.  In return, I ask that they call me before stopping a medication if it is not well tolerated.

My muscles hurt, and I think it is the statin I am taking for my cholesterol. Can I stop it?

If you have had a heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery or a stent, staying on a statin can lower your risk of having another heart problem.  Yet, these medications cause muscle aching in 10-15 percent of people who take them.  I see many patients in the office for this exact problem.  There is always a solution.  The answer is not to "put up with the symptoms", but it is also not to just stop the medication.  If you are aching from a statin, alternatives to discuss with your doctor include red yeast rice, and in the future may include a new class of medication (not yet FDA approved) called the PCSK-9 inhibitors.

Do you want to know what supplements I am taking?

Supplements are used by over half the US population, yet a study has shown that almost 70 percent of people taking prescription drugs won't tell their doctor about their supplement use.  The reason: Most doctors never asked!  Examples of interactions between prescription medications and supplements include St John's Wort, which can decrease the effectiveness of statins as well as interact with 146 other medications, and warfarin, which is not absorbed effectively when taken with many supplements. It is crucial to work with your physician and let him or her know what you are taking.

Dr. David Becker is a board certified cardiologist with Chestnut Hill Temple Cardiology in Flourtown, Pa. and has been in practice for 25 years. In 1993, after extensive research, Dr. Becker launched Healthy Change of Heart™, an innovative 10-week program designed to reverse heart disease and improve quality of life through diet, exercise, and stress management. Since then, thousands of patients have participated in the program, achieving significant results in improving cardiac wellness.