Before You Take that Pill or Asperger Syndrome the Universe and Everything

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health

Author: J Douglas Bremner

A medical expert reveals risks of the most commonly prescribed drugs-and why the drug industry doesn't want consumers to know about them.

Recent scandals involving diabetes drugs, Vioxx, and many other medications reveal the serious and undisclosed risks of some of the most commonly used prescription drugs in this country. In Before You Take That Pill, Dr. J. Douglas Bremner, a researcher and clinician at Emory University whose study on Accutane and depression made headlines, offers an inside look at the pharmaceutical industry, as well as a scientifically backed assessment of the risks of more than three hundred prescribed medications, vitamins, and supplements.

While many drugs are essential to the health of consumers, as Dr. Bremner explains, for many people, the benefits may not outweigh the potential side effects. This book contains warnings that are not on the drug labels. It also exposes tricks of the trade that demonstrate how the profit-making interests of "big pharma" may not always be in line with the safety of the public - from the corruption that exists in the drug approval process to the tactics drug companies use to encourage doctors to prescribe their products. Most important, Before You Take That Pill empowers readers by giving them sound information on specific medications so they can understand and weigh the potential risk themselves. Backed by the latest studies, as well as insight from a doctor who is in the trenches, this book should be on the shelf of every drug consumer.

Table of Contents:

Introduction     1
The Drug Problem     7
Arthritis Medications     23
Acne Treatments     43
LDL Cholesterol-Lowering Medications (Statins)     55
Antihypertensives     90
Diet Pills     116
Asthma and Allergy Medications     130
Enlarged Prostate     148
Treatments for Ulcers and Gastric Reflux     157
Antibiotics and Vaccines     172
Osteoporosis Drugs     216
Oral Contraceptive Pills and Hormone Replacement Therapy     234
Diabetes Drugs     258
Drugs for Dementia     274
Antidepressants     288
Insomnia Treatments     315
Drugs for Sexual Dysfunction     334
Vitamins and Supplements     343
Medications for Children     381
Conclusion: How Do You Keep Yourself and Your Family Safe?     393
Acknowledgments     397
Notes     398
Books for Further Reading     427
Index     429

Interesting textbook: Problem Solving with C with CDROM or Shadows of the Mind

Asperger Syndrome, the Universe and Everything

Author: Kenneth Hall

"Kenneth Hall was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at the age of eight. He is in a unique position to describe some of the inner experiences and perceptions of autism in childhood. He has a warm and positive attitude to Asperger Syndrome which other children will find inspiring. Insights, struggles and joys are recounted vividly in a frank and humorous way. His book is for anyone interested in understanding more about autism, including parents, siblings, teachers and professionals."--BOOK JACKET.