Flucytosine (Ancobon)
Griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grifulvin, Grisactin)
Itraconazole (Sporanox)
Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
Miconazole (Monistat)
Nystatin (Mycostatin, Nilstat)
Terbinafine (Lamisil)
Voriconazole (Vfend)
Most of the antifungal drugs have very nasty side effects and dangerous interactions with a long list of other drugs. Be extremely cautious with their use. It has become something of a fad in alternative medicine to prescribe antifungal drugs for intestinal candida infections that are diagnosed by symptoms. The long-term effect of this treatment is often that the candida returns, worse than ever, within a year. You are better off treating candida infections, both vaginal and intestinal, with one of the suggested alternatives at the end of this chapter that supports your good bacteria.
Antifungals are also notoriously ineffective for treating toenail fungus. Again, chances are it will come back worse than ever, even after a long course of the drugs.
What Do They Do in the Body? They inhibit fungal growth.
What Are They Used For? Fungal infections. Most commonly, vaginal infections from candida, the prevention of fungal infections during surgery, and meningitis.
What Are the Possible Side Effects? These drugs can be prescribed for women with yeast infections, but they have 10 percent more side effects than intravaginal agents that accomplish the same thing. See the section on natural alternatives.
Side effects can include headache, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, dizziness, and drowsiness. Patients receiving multiple doses may experience all of the preceding side effects plus seizures, skin disorders, and serious liver reactions. Australian drug authorities report numerous cases of abnormal red and white blood cell counts in people taking Lamisil.
Injury to your liver is possible. Toxicity is rare but has ranged from mild to fatal.
Allergic reactions can occur, such as rashes, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Some people have had serious skin disorders from these drugs, which have produced open sores.
CAUTION!
Think Twice About Taking These Drugs If . . .
• You have malignant cancer or AIDS.
• You have any dysfunction of the liver or liver disease.
• You have kidney dysfunction or kidney disease.
• You have a serious skin disorder.
Antiviral Drugs
Antiviral drugs are targeted for very specific viruses. We now have antivirals for HIV, herpes, hepatitis B and C, and influenza (flu) A and B.
Antiviral drugs for the flu weren’t routinely used until the bird flu (H5N1) scare of 2005, when oseltamivir (Tamiflu) was widely marketed as the only medication available to treat humans with bird flu. This created a flood of sales and worldwide stockpiling of the drug. The truth is, however, that the drug had never been tested in humans with bird flu. According to an article at worldnetdaily.com, a Vietnamese doctor from the Center for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi who used the drug for 41 bird flu patients concluded that the drug is “useless.” The World Health Organization (WHO) agrees that the drug has not been very useful in treating bird flu. Those defending the drug claim that it was not started soon enough to help.
These drugs are said to shorten the duration and severity of the flu, but the human research showing this to be a consistent effect is limited.
Examples of Neuraminidase Inhibitor and Amantadine Derivative Antivirals for Flu
Neuraminidase inhibitor antivirals for flu: oseltamivir (Tamiflu), zanamivir, inhaled (Relenza)
Amantadine derivative antivirals for flu: amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel), rimanta-dine hydrochloride (Flumadine)
What Do They Do in the Body? If taken early enough, these drugs can help block the spread of a viral infection and reduce the duration of flu symptoms by about one and a half days.
What Are They Used For? The neuraminidase inhibitor antivirals are approved for preventing and treating influenza virus A and B. To be most effective, treatment must be started within 48 hours of when symptoms begin. The amantadine derivatives are approved for treating influenza A infection.
These drugs are most often prescribed to so-called high-risk people, including the elderly—especially in nursing homes, those with lung or heart disease, those with compromised immune systems (e.g., HIV), and those who serve the public and may be exposed to large numbers of people with the flu, such as hospital workers and police.
All of these drugs can cause viruses to become resistant, a good reason to be cautious about taking them.
What Are the Possible Side Effects? The most common side effects of the flu antivirals are gastrointestinal and can include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and heartburn. They can also affect the nervous system, in bizarre and contradictory ways (read on for specifics). Geriatric patients are much more susceptible to these side effects.
• Flumadine. Can cause insomnia, sleepiness, depression, dizziness, nervousness, agitation, and foggy thinking.
• Symmetrel. Causes an increase in dopamine release in the animal brain, and considering the wide range of nervous system side effects possible with this drug, it may be safe to assume that it does the same in the human brain. Side effects can include confusion, hallucinations, nightmares, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, hyperkinesia (increase in body movements), impaired concentration, amnesia, difficulty in coordination, slurred speech, mental depression, decreased libido, weakness, euphoria, seizures, severe mood or mental changes, thoughts of suicide, or attempts at suicide. Other Symmetrel side effects can include fainting, high blood pressure, blurred vision, irritation or swelling of the eye, difficult urination, edema (water retention), congestive heart failure, shortness of breath, fever, chills, sore throat, and rash. As little as a 1 gram overdose of Symmetrel has caused death.
• Tamiflu. Has caused serious skin reactions, including toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and erythema multi-forme. These can be fatal side effects of this drug. Tamiflu is much more widely used in Japan than in the United States. Doctors there have reported that in children and teens, the drug is associated with delirium and abnormal behaviors (such as jumping out of buildings) that have resulted in injury and death. Tamiflu side effects may include bronchitis, dizziness, headache, insomnia, vertigo, fatigue, abnormal liver tests, irregular heartbeat, gastrointestinal bleeding, colitis, seizure, aggravation of diabetes. Side effects specific to children can include middle ear infection or inflammation, nosebleed, asthma, pneumonia, eye infection, and swollen lymph glands.
• Relenza. Side effects are similar to Tamiflu. Although Relenza is less convenient and more expensive because it is inhaled, it appears to have fewer side effects, and less severe side effects than the other antivirals.
CAUTION!
• Do not use these drugs if you are pregnant or nursing.
• Do not use these drugs if you have a seizure disorder.
• These drugs may interact dangerously with antidepressants.
• There are reports that amantadine can interfere with male fertility.
• Do not use Relenza if you have asthma or any other chronic lung problem, as it could cause serious spasms in the lungs.
• Considering the extreme nature of Symmetrel side effects, it does not appear sensible to take this drug.
• Please monitor children and teens very carefully for nervous system side effects when taking these drugs.
Natural Alternatives to Antibiotics
When penicillin was discovered, we thought we had discovered a magic bullet that would kill any and all infections. Physicians tend to prescribe it for anything from a cut to a cold, knowing all the while that it doesn’t kill the viruses that cause colds—it only kills bacteria. We Americans have become hooked on antibiotics. If our physician doesn’t write us out a prescription for them, we go to another physician.
The bacteria in our bodies that antibioti
cs are supposed to kill have an intelligence all their own when it comes to building resistance to these drugs. Every time we take antibiotics or get them in dairy products or meat, we are giving bacteria a new opportunity to become resistant. The consequence of this is that many antibiotics have become useless—a wide variety of bacteria that are the cause of many serious illnesses are resistant to them. Clearly we need to find other ways to fight infections and to support our immune systems when we get sick.
Use Probiotics When You Take Antibiotics
One of the most serious side effects of taking antibiotics is killing the “good” bacteria that live in your large intestine. The colon, in contrast to the germ-free stomach and small intestine, is lavishly populated with bacteria, which are normal intestinal flora that keep the “bad” bacteria under control. These bacteria, also called probiotics, are also found in the mouth, the urinary tract, and the vagina. There are about 100 trillion of these bacteria living in our bodies and over 400 species. The three most common friendly bacteria are called Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
Probiotics are intimately tied into how our immune system works. They manufacture the B vitamins, help us digest our food, reduce cholesterol, and help keep hormones in balance. If you take an antibiotic and kill them off, it can seriously compromise your health. Steroids such as prednisone, poor digestion, nutritional deficiencies, and stress can also kill off these good bacteria, leaving an overgrowth of the bad guys, most of whom are a fungal yeast called Candida albicans. An overgrowth of yeast in the intestines can cause fatigue, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, skin problems, and a long list of secondary symptoms such as headaches, mental fogginess, achy joints, and pollen allergies.
If you must take antibiotics for some reason, be sure to take probiotics both during and after the course of antibiotics. Take them at least two hours before or after you take the antibiotic, and keep taking them for at least two weeks after you finish the antibiotics.
Probiotic supplements are “alive” and have a relatively short shelf life of a few months. If you use probiotic supplements, please stick to the refrigerated brands. A good probiotic supplement will contain fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which promote the growth of good bacteria. Bananas are a plentiful source of FOS; they’re a good food to have around during and after a course of antibiotics.
There is much disagreement among health professionals and probiotic manufacturers about which types of probiotic supplements are best. Most people do just fine with a mixture of lactobacillus, bifidus, and acidophilus. The loose powder is the ideal way to get a concentrated dose of probiotics, but if this is going to be too much trouble, take it in capsules. When we’re talking about billions of bacteria, the loss of a few million won’t hurt too much! You need to keep the capsules refrigerated when you get them home. Since stomach acid rises when you eat, you’ll get more of them into your digestive system by taking them between meals.
You can get probiotics in your diet by eating yogurt with live cultures (this is listed on the label). Many supermarkets and health food stores also sell acidophilus milk, which contains live cultures.
Natural Remedies for Resisting Infections
The best way you can create hostile terrain for “bad” bacteria is to follow the Six Core Principles for Optimal Health and make them a way of life. They will give your body a solid foundation from which to fend off bacteria and viruses. It’s important to be aware that we are always being exposed to billions of potentially infectious germs, and our bodies naturally fend them off. When your immune system is weakened through poor nutrition, high stress levels, not enough sleep, and the rigors of travel, the germs have the opportunity to get a foothold in your body.
One of the keys to resisting an infection is to begin helping your body fight it as soon as you are aware it’s there. We all know the symptoms: fatigue, achiness, sore throat, swollen glands, runny nose, cough, and fever. If you have a sore throat and ignore it, stay up late, and eat a bowl of ice cream, it’s bound to get worse. If you gargle with salt water, go to bed early with a cup of chamomile tea, and avoid sugary foods, chances are it will be gone by morning.
Here are some simple, specific steps you can take to stay free of infections:
• Wash your hands. If you have been around people with colds or the flu, keep your hands away from your face and wash your hands before eating. Don’t, however, be fooled into thinking that all of those antibacterial household cleansers and soaps are going to protect you. It has been found that the bacteria-busting chemicals they contain create an ideal environment for the formation of resistant bacteria. Soap and water works just fine for the hands, and vinegar (dilute and put in a spray bottle) is the perfect kitchen cleaner.
• Gargle. If you’re coming down with a sore throat, one of the simplest and most effective solutions is to gargle with a germ-killing mouth-wash (make sure the gargle reaches your throat) or a simple salt water solution (1 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water). A sore throat is often caused by mucus from the sinuses dripping down the back of the throat, so giving that area an antibacterial bath can work wonders. There are some herbal throat sprays on the market that are excellent for banishing throat infections.
• Sinus rinse. A great remedy for an encroaching sinus infection is to rinse the sinuses with a saltwater solution (1 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of baking soda per 1 cup of water). This remedy takes some discipline and focus, and it’s not recommended for most children. The best tool for the job is called a neti pot, which looks like a little teapot with a spout that is made for rinsing the sinuses. You can buy a traditional ceramic neti pot or get the plastic version at the drugstore. Mix the solution of salt and baking soda in the neti pot. Tip your head sideways, and insert the spout gently into one of your nostrils. If you hold the spout at the right angle, the water will flow in one nostril and out the other. The real experts allow the water to flow in one nostril and out the mouth, but this can cause gagging if you swallow some of the water. This technique can work wonders for a stubborn sinus infection.
• Avoid sugar and alcohol. As your body fights infection, it helps to eat wholesome, healthy foods. Sugar and alcohol suppress the immune system and can make it harder for your body to do its job.
• Extra vitamin C can help fight infections and viruses. If you take 1,000 to 2,000 mg every three to four hours as soon as you feel a cold coming on, drink plenty of water, and avoid sugar, you can often knock the cold out before it ever gets started. Vitamin C will work even better if you combine it with bioflavonoids.
• Vitamin A is a powerful infection-fighter is an immune stimulant that boosts thymus gland function and helps maintain healthy cells in your mucus membranes. You can take 10,000 to 30,000 IU daily for a week to help fight off an infection. (If you’re pregnant, don’t take more than 10,000 IU daily.)
• Zinc and selenium are your two most important infection-fighting minerals. A wide variety of lozenges are available at your health food store that contain zinc, selenium, and vitamin C. Pass on those with a lot of sugar.
• Vitamin D is essential for a healthy immune system. People who don’t get out in the sun or who have long, gray winters should take at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.
• Allow a fever to run its course. Bacteria are adverse to high temperatures, which is why we sometimes get a fever when we get infections. This is why it’s important to not bring down a fever unless it’s dangerously high. The fever is the very thing that will kill the bacteria or virus that’s making you sick. In children in particular, a fever is part of the body’s mechanism for training the immune system to recognize hostile bacteria and viruses and forming antibodies that will recognize them in the future. If you suppress the fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol), your child could be more likely to get sick again the next time the bug comes to visit. Talk to your doctor about exactly how high to allow a fever to go with your child. You can help yourself or your child through a fever
with a few commonsense measures:
1. Remain warmly dressed in soft, natural-fiber clothing. If it’s a cold day, cover your head and wrap your neck, and keep feet in warm socks. This will help speed the passage of the fever.
2. Stay hydrated, but don’t eat a lot, and stay away from heavy foods. Stick with light soups, cooked vegetables, or whole-grain crackers. Eating less cranks up your immune system a notch.
3. Stay where things are quiet and peaceful. The less stimulation you have, the more your body can focus on getting well.
4. If the discomfort becomes too much, the arms and legs can be sponged off with water, but try not to undress completely or bathe until the fever has broken.
• Grapefruit seed extract is a product you can use if you feel an infection coming on. It is a grapefruit bioflavonoid concentrate that works well to help knock out a cold. You can take one 100 mg tablet every four to five hours or a few drops of the liquid. There are anecdotal reports from women that grapefruit seed extract will effectively cure urinary tract infections.
• The herb echinacea, sometimes combined with goldenseal in formulas, is an effective immune stimulant but works best when used early on in an infection. Some people are allergic to it, so if you take a dose and feel worse, stop taking it!
• Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy for preventing and relieving the symptoms of the flu. This is a great remedy to travel with and to keep in the medicine cabinet, as it can quickly knock out a flu.
• Yin Chiao is a Chinese herbal remedy for preventing colds and flus. It can actually prevent a full-blown cold if taken soon enough. When using Chinese medicines, it’s important to use reputable brands.
• EpiCor is a fermented yeast product that enhances natural killer cell activity and helps modulate and strengthen the immune system. It contains a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that research has shown to be very effective in warding off colds and flus. This is a supplement that can be taken daily during cold and flu season as a preventive. There are excellent human clinical studies on EpiCor, which you can read about in detail at embriahealth.com.
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