DRUG OF THE MONTH

 APRESOLINE (Hydralazine hydrochloride)

Used to ‘treat’ high blood pressure and heart failure. Belongs to a class of drugs- vasodilators.  Hydralazine acts through an ‘unknown mechanism’ to relax/widen the small arteries of the body, reducing the pressure in-side and lowering high blood pressure. Hydralazine must be used with other drugs in the treatment of high blood pressure for two reasons. 

1. The body's response to widening of arterioles and drop in blood pressure is to increase the heart rate, which then increases blood pressure.  So a beta blocker, such as propranolol (Inderal), is prescribed to slow heart rate. 

2. Hydralazine can cause fluid and salt retention, which increases the volume of fluid and therefore the pressure within the blood vessels. So then a diuretic, such as furosemide (Lasix), is prescribed to remove excess fluid.  (www.NetDoctor.co.uk)

Side effects of Hydralazine hydrochloride (APRESOLINE)
Headache- flu-like symptoms- fever- sore throat- inflammation of lining of mouth (stomatitis), Faster than normal heart beat, Inability of the heart to pump blood efficiently (heart failure), Blood disorders, Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhea, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting or abdominal pain, Low blood pressure, Pins and needles (paraesthesia), Heart palpitations, Dizziness, Flushing, Chest pain, Chronic inflamm-atory disease affecting the skin/ internal organs (systemic lupus, erythematosus).

Side effects of  INTERAL- beta blocker
Abdominal cramps, Colitis, Congestive heart failure, Constipation, Decreased sexual ability, Depression, Diarrhea, Difficulty breathing, Disorientation, Dry eyes, Fever with sore throat, Hair loss, Hallucinations, Headache, Light-headedness, Low blood pressure, Lupus erythematosus (a disease of the connective tissue), Nausea, Rash, Reddish or purplish spots on the skin, Short-term memory loss, Slow heartbeat, Tingling, Prickling in hands, Tiredness, Trouble sleeping, Upset stomach, Visual changes, Vivid dreams, Vomiting, Weakness, Worsening of certain heartbeat irregularities.

(www.healthsquare.com/newrx/ind1207)

Side effects of FUROSEMIDE- (Lasix- diuretic)

Difficult breathing; Closing of the throat; Swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or Hives, Muscle cramps or weakness, Irregular heartbeat, Abdominal pain or Diarrhea, Low blood pressure, Weakness, Dizziness, Fatigue, Decreased hearing, Dry mouth or increased thirst, Headache, Dizziness, or lightheadedness, Constipation, Increased sensitivity to sunlight, A rash, Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes- i.e., liver malfunction), Ringing in the ears, Nausea, Easy bleeding or bruising, Numbness in hands or feet.  (www.drugs.com/Furosemide)

If you didn’t have worries before taking these ‘drugs’, sounds like you could have them once you start!  And to think that cleaning up your liver and  kidneys naturally with a few herbs, taking a little Hawthorn Berry syrup, adding vitamin C and Fish Oil to your diet and drinking lots of pure water could quite possibly reverse your heart condition- Well, it just stymies me as to why anyone would subject their body to these adverse side effects, which can do so much damage.