Drug Warning for the Primary Health Overseer

In the African American community, it is very common for patients to have a family member as their primary health overseer. I continue to be impressed with the level of care that these overseers provide for their loved ones. Currently, there are three drugs that can cause major problems for the overseer and the patient. The three drugs are: Insulin, given for diabetes; Coumadin, a blood thinner; and Digoxin, a medication to prevent heart failure. These medications are great drugs, but they can be lethal if they become out of balance in the body.

If the patient is not monitored closely, these drugs can cause significant side effects, requiring admission to the hospital and sometimes even death. It is extremely important that the patient and the overseer understand the reason for taking the medication, the number of times the medication should be taken per day, and the possible side effects of the medication. Excellent communication between the patient and the health overseer is important to assure that the patient keeps follow-up appointments, takes the medications as prescribed, and is not taking over the counter medications that could cause drug interactions.

I am Dr. Thaddeus John Bell --- Closing the Gap in Health Disparities for African Americans.

Bell Update Volume 3, Chapter 16

Copyright May 2008