Even Your Doctor Won't Take These

Depending on your health diagnosis, you may be prescribed any number of medications to treat your condition. We rely on our doctors to choose the best medications for us, but what about when it comes to treating themselves? Here's a sampling of eight drugs many doctors recommend skipping:

* Advair. This asthma medication could actually make your asthma worse…much worse. One of its ingredients has been shown to exacerbate asthma attacks.

* Avandia. The diabetes drug has been linked to an increase risk for heart attacks. Instead, experts suggest you talk to your doctor about alternatives, like metformin.

* Celebrex. What was once viewed as a wonder drug for arthritis is now better known for its possible side effects, including stomach bleeding, kidney trouble, liver damage and heart disease. Ask your doctor about other ways to ease your pain.

* Ketek. It's an antibiotic often prescribed to treat respiratory tract infections, but it runs the risk of creating severe liver problems if your body doesn’t like it or vice versa. There are plenty of other alternatives, such as Zithromax, doxycycline or Augmentin.

* Prilosec and Nexium. These acid reflux meds might cause heart problems, and leave you succeptible to pneumonia and other infections. The best treatment for your reflux? Lose weight.

* Visine Original. These drops pose a problem if used too much. It works by constricting blood vessels in your eyes to "get the red out," but overuse can cause even more redness. You're better off talking to your doctor to figure out the real problem with your peepers.

* Pseudoephedrine. This chemical in many over-the-counter medicines has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. If your sinuses are unbearable, try using a drug with phenylephrine, or ask your doctor for any natural remedies.

If you are on any of these medications, do you plan discussing them with your doctor? If you’re not on any of these drugs, will you avoid them in the future? [MSNBC]