By pH health care professionals

Donald Trump’s longtime New York physician, Dr. Harold N. Bornstein, is no stranger to the public spotlight. In 2015, he penned a letter declaring the then-candidate would be the “healthiest individual ever elected” president. Now, with Trump in office, Dr. Bornstein is sharing details about the president’s use of medications.

Dr. Bornstein said President Trump takes Propecia (finasteride) for hair loss, an antibiotic for the skin condition rosacea, a statin for cholesterol and baby aspirin to reduce his risk of heart attack.

Propecia

Propecia (finasteride) is used for the treatment of male pattern hair loss. The condition is characterized by thinning of the hair on the scalp, which results in a receding hairline and/or balding on top of the head. The medication prevents the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the body. DHT may be responsible for the shrinking of the hair follicle and may inhibit a hormone called IGF-1 that helps with hair growth.

Side effects of Propecia may include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. The drug may also cause breast lumps, pain, nipple discharge and other breast changes, which may be signs of male breast cancer. Other side effects may include depression, impotence, loss of interest in sex, trouble having an orgasm, abnormal ejaculation, syncope, dizziness, weakness and headache.

Antibiotics for Rosacea

Antibiotics (unclear which antibiotic Trump is taking) are used for a myriad of conditions including for treatment of rosacea, which is a common skin disorder characterized by redness of the nose, cheeks, chin and forehead. The skin condition tends to affect people who have fair skin or blush easily, and it seems to run in families. Antibiotics are often prescribed for treatment if the condition is serious and the person is not responding to creams or gels. Commonly prescribed antibiotics include doxycycline (Vibramycin), erythromycin (ERYC), metronidazole (Flagyl) or minocycline (Dynacin).  

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Some antibiotics (including tetracyclines) have both anti-inflammatory and antibiotic capacities. Low doses are normally used to provide more of an anti-inflammatory effect than an antibiotic (antibacterial) effect. Maximum anti-inflammatory effects appear to be achieved with doxycycline 40 mg capsules once daily. Tetracyclines (doxycycline and minocycline) have been the mainstay of treatment since the 1950s.

Side effects of antibiotics may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, bloating and indigestion, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. Some antibiotics may cause dysfunction in the kidney and result in mineral imbalances. It may be necessary to monitor mineral levels if antibiotic therapy is prescribed long term.

Statin

Crestor (rosuvastatin) is a lipid-lowering medication that is used to treat elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. The medication also increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL), “good cholesterol” levels. It is generally used to slow atherosclerosis (narrowing of the arteries) in patients with high blood cholesterol levels.

Crestor is often prescribed when exercise and diet aren’t enough to lower LDL levels, the “bad cholesterol” associated with atherosclerosis. Clinical trials of Crestor have demonstrated its effectiveness.

Side effects of Crestor may include constipation, headache, nausea, stomach pain, weakness, Selenium and Coenzyme Q deficiency and muscle aches and pains. Other side effects may include memory loss or confusion, kidney or liver problems or very rarely a deadly breakdown of muscle.  

Aspirin

Aspirin (81 mg) is widely used to reduce heart attack risk. But how does it work? Simply, aspirin interferes with the body’s blood-clotting action. It reduces the clumping action of platelets (blood-clotting cells), thus preventing a heart attack.

Aspirin may cause minor side effects. Side effects may include acid or sour stomach, anxiety, belching, dizziness, dry mouth, hyperventilation, irritability, shaking, stomach discomfort, trouble sleeping, unusual drowsiness, tiredness, weakness or feeling sluggish.

Take this information with a grain of salt

Why is Dr. Bornstein sharing this information? There’s been no contact between the two since Trump took office, Dr. Bornstein said, and he has not been invited to serve as the White House doctor. However, some have raised the question about whether he had permission to share confidential health information about his famous patient, and if not, he may be in violation of the federal law HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996). HIPAA mandates that doctors protect their patients’ medical records and keep health information confidential.

Takeaway?

Be proactive and learn more about common prescriptions and their side effects! Always talk to a knowledgeable healthcare provider about your symptoms or side effects, and be sure to disclose any other supplements or medications you are taking to avoid dangerous interactions. It is always important to remember that while prescription drugs may improve health, they all have side effects. Some of these side effects may involve a depletion in nutrients such as critical vitamins and minerals. You may need to get a micronutrient test to determine whether your medications are affecting your nutrients. Nutrient depletion may very well be one of the reasons you simply don’t “feel like yourself” when you take your medications.  

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

The pH professional health care team includes recognized experts from a variety of health care and related disciplines, including physicians, health care attorneys, nutritionists, nurses and certified fitness instructors. To learn more about the pH Health Care Team, click here.