I have been started on lisinopril and have started to develop leg cramps especially at night. Are the cramps related to my medication?

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor and is quite effective for blood pressure.

The most common reported side effects of this medication include a drug cough, mild nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, headaches and dizziness. Muscle cramps or spams are very rare with lisinopril but they have been reported. The cramps often occur after long term use and usually subside when the drug is discontinued. 

The best advice is to see your doctor,  get some blood work done and look at the levels of calcium and potassium. Perhaps your doctor should also check your legs and ensure that you do not have any peripheral vascular disease. If the cramps are severe, you may need a change in your blood pressure medication. 

In the mean time, do not stop or change the dose of lisinopril until you have been seen by your doctor

Should I take an aspirin every day? I am 55 and have no medical problems!

Well, it appears that there are many doctors who do not keep up with current literature. Unlike the past, the latest evidence suggests that not everyone will benefit from a daily aspirin. 

Recent work shows that taking an aspirin everyday does not prevent a heart attack, stroke or reduce the risk of dying.  In fact, aspirin can cause bleeding from a stomach ulcer or a brain hemorrhage. 

The potential risks of these bleeding problems from aspirin far outweigh any of its benefits. So if you are healthy, do not take aspirin. Aspirin is only recommended for individuals who have risk factors for heart disease. However, in order to maintain good health, exercise daily, stop smoking and eat healthy- and tell your doctor to start reading current literature.

I am 55-year-old Type 2 diabetic. What are the current guidelines regarding aspirin?

The new revised American Diabetes Association (ADA) guidelines suggest that not all diabetics need to take aspirin. Previously all diabetics were encouraged to take a daily aspirin. This is hogwash now. 

Today, aspirin is only supposed to be taken for diabetics over the age of 50 and only in those who have risk factors for heart disease. This includes men over age 50 or women over age 60 with at least one additional major risk factor for heart disease. 

In other words, according to the ADA, younger diabetic patients (< 45) without associated cardiovascular risk factors have no benefit from taking aspirin.

I was just started on captopril and have developed a dry cough. Is this related to the medication?

Captopril is a very good drug for control of blood pressure. The medication is relatively cheap and has minimal side effects. However, one of the side effects of ACE inhibitors like captopril is a dry cough. Usually the cough starts after 1-2 weeks and disappears in 4-6 weeks. 

Unfortunately, in some cases, the cough will persist. The only way to know if the cough is related to the medication is to stop the pill and see if the cough disappears. Some patients who develop a dry cough from ACE inhibitors, like captopril will need a change of medication. 

The alternative medications for blood pressure control include the angiotensin receptor blockers, which are also a lot more expensive. If your cough persists, speak to your doctor. In the meantime do not change the dose or stop your medication until you have spoken to your doctor.

Is apcalis a good medication for impotence?

There are many generic versions of Viagra being sold for erectile failure. The majority of these medications are either made in China or India. Like Viagra, apcalis works by inhibiting a certain enzyme in the penile tissues and potentates an erection.  

The majority of these generic Viagra pills like apcalis are sold online from stores which are not bona fide pharmacies. One of the problems of buying pharmaceutical pills online is that you will most likely not get a quality product. Both Indian and Chinese pharmaceutical companies are well known to produce fakes and counterfeit pills. Sure apcalis is cheaper than the real Viagra available in a retail pharmacy, but there is always a question if you will get a pill that works. 

If you are desperate, then only buy a few pills at first and see if they work. If money is not an issue, then buy the real pill from a retail pharmacy. When you order apcalis online, never buy the pill from outside of North America. Not only will you not get the right pill, you will have to pay shipping and have a lot of explaining to provide to the customs officer.  

Remember, practice safe sex as apcalis does not provide protection against any sexually acquired infection.

My boyfriend has been on an anti-depressant for many years. I have noticed that he has no sexual desire and he has difficulty maintaining an erection. Is there a remedy for this?

Unfortunately, the majority of medications used to treat depression, schizophrenia and anxiety cause a decrease in libido. Moreover, most men lose their ability to have a prolonged erection. 

There are several ways to get around this problem. One may be to lower the dose of his antidepressant but this usually does not work well because the mental symptoms immediately come back. Your doctor may want to switch him to another antidepressant with lower risk of sexual side effects. 

Wellbutrin appears to be a good alternative in some people. The other more practical solution is to use medications like Viagra. There are several impotence medications that can potentiate an erection besides Viagra and they all work similarly. 

There are also cheap generic versions of Viagra but most of these never work. Moreover, on the internet many generic Viagra pills are fake so be careful where you buy your pills from. Finally Viagra and other similar pills are also expensive and can cost  anywhere from $2-$4 per tablet. If you are going to buy such pills from cyberspace pharmacies, avoid all international dealers because they are all scams.

FDA blocks approval of weight loss drug-Qnexa

Qnexa, the blockbuster weight loss medication, did not get FDA approval today. Qnexa is a combination of phentermine (adipex) and topiramate (topamax). Phentermine has been widely used to treat obesity and does work, but it also has a number of unpleasant side effects. Topamax is an anticonvulsant used to treat seizures and a variety of mood disorders. People who used topamax for seizures and migraines have reported weight loss. Based on this information, the drug company, Vivus decided to combine the two products to make Qnexa. The first few studies conducted by vivus indicated that the formula works well for weight loss, but FDA had other concerns.

There is great concern that Qnexa may case dangerous side effects include changes in heart rhythm, memory loss, birth defects and suicidal thoughts. Other side effects include  nausea, headaches, dry mouth, insomnia, tingling, altered taste, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue and symptoms of a upper respiratory tract infection.

With the increasing rates of obesity globally, there is a need for weight loss medications. Even though many effective weight loss medications have been discovered, the majority have been found to have severe side effects and dangerous complications.

Qnexa is the 2^nd drug to be rejected in a week; last week, the FDA rejected lorcaserin made by Arena pharmaceuticals.

The FDA has asked Vivus to supply more data on its toxicity before it makes any more decisions on the future of Qnexa.

Drug companies are notorious when it comes to hiding negative information. With millions of obese people all around the globe, there are billions of dollars to be made-so in their opinion who cares if a few die on the way if obesity is cured!

Qnexa acts as an appetite suppressant and allows one to lose weight rapidly. Anecdotal reports indicate that Qnexa can help one lose at least 10% of body weight in 12 months.