Drug taking, whether prescribed or ‘social’, is a complex issue and presents difficulties for practitioners, patients and the general public. Many patients attending holistic practitioners take prescribed drugs. This complicates treatment and case management as drugs alter symptoms. In some cases, they may lead to further deterioration in health. The regaining of health may involve their reduction or removal.

I have a lot of experience in guiding patients through the entanglement of medication. Some medications cannot and should not be stopped, some can be reduced in dosage and others may not be necessary. Deciding the most appropriate course of action can be complex and should be taken with guidance from an experienced practitioner. I am happy to discuss medication with patients to see what is possible. Please click here for information about consultations.

The key issue for holistic practitioners is how to safely manage a patient who takes prescribed drugs. Such cases tend to be more complex to diagnose, treat and manage. With careful thought and analysis it is possible to clarify the most appropriate course of action in any individual case. In this way, the course of treatment can be guided to be smoother and more beneficial. My textbook, The Prescribed Drug Guide, is an excellent account of how to navigate these issues.

So, to this end, I offer a number of solutions. Firstly, is supervision (sometimes called mentoring) where you are able to discuss cases with me which are complicated by the use of prescribed drugs. This clinical support smoothes the course of treatment and aids your management of the case.

Information about specific drugs

The top twenty most commonly prescribed drugs are listed below. Click on each drug for more information. This is taken from my textbook, The Prescribed Drug Guide – A Holistic Perspective.

• simvastatin
• aspirin
• thyroxine
• omeprazole
• ramipril
• amlodipine
• paracetamol
• salbutamol
• lansoprazole
• atorvastatin
• metformin
• colecalciferol
• bendroflumethiazide
• bisoprolol
• codeine phosphate
• citalopram
• amoxicillin
• furosemide
• amitriptyline
• warfarin