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Stroke, one of the most feared conditions in the nation, occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. This can cause sudden visual disturbances, confusion, and slurred speech. According to one health body, four prescription medications have been linked to the condition.
The health platforms Quality Care ER, states heartburn medicines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and pain medicines, are linked to stroke.
The website explains: “Prescription medicines may put you at a higher risk for stroke.
“While the connection is not always clear, some medications have been related to higher risks. Always discuss your prescription concerns with your doctor.
“Always take medication as recommended, and for as short of a time frame as possible. Learn about natural remedies to improve our health and discuss the benefits with your doctor.”
READ MORE: How to prevent a stroke: The ‘risky’ drinks that can cause ‘abrupt death’ – raises risk
Heartburn medication
The relationship between common heartburn drugs, which are also known as proton pump inhibitors, was probed in one Danish study.
The study, led by Doctor Thomas Sehested, research director at the Danish Heart Foundation in Copenhagen, found the group of drugs could increase the overall risk of stroke by 21 percent.
The analysis looked at common drugs such as Nexium, Prevacid, Prilosec and Protonix.
Results revealed that the extent of the risk depended on the dose taken.
Early research has suggested that some antidepressants are linked to a slightly increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke.
A 2012 study published in the journal Neurology drew the conclusion after studying more than 500,000 people.
The antidepressants studied all fell under the drug class selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), which include Celexa, Lexapro, Paxil, Prozac, Vibryd, and Zoloft.
In fact, the findings revealed that individuals taking SSRIs were between 40 percent to 50 percent more likely to have intracranial haemorrhages or intracerebral haemorrhages.
In 2008, the authors of a BMJ report wrote: “All antipsychotics are associated with an increased risk of stroke, and the risk might be higher in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics than those receiving typical antipsychotics.”
The authors closed their report with the following statement: “Use of antipsychotics should, when possible, be avoided in these patients.”
PainkillersThe association between stroke risk and painkillers is well-established, notably because the drug can increase precursors for stroke, such as high blood pressure.
Other deadly ailments linked to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – medications that target inflammation and pain – include heart attack and heart disease.
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