You don’t have to be a doctor or a pharmacist to see that there is some serious harm being done by conventional medicine. Prescription drugs are regularly prescribed for serious diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, but these medications can cause harmful side effects that can lead to even more dangerous health complications down the road.
In fact, according to CDC, prescription opioids caused nearly 24% of all opioid overdose deaths in 2020. Let’s take a look at some of the top medicines with harmful side effects and what they mean for your health.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a common pain reliever that you may find in over-the-counter medications like Tylenol. But did you know that it’s also an ingredient in many cold and flu medications? A good number of people don’t realize that acetaminophen can be harmful if taken in high doses, and some may not even know they’re taking them.
Tylenol is a brand of acetaminophen, an over-the-counter drug used to treat pain and fever. It has been on the market since 1955 and is one of the most popular pain relievers in the United States. Tylenol also makes liquid gelcaps for children, which are advertised as being easier for kids to swallow than tablets.
There have been several lawsuits filed against Johnson & Johnson over the safety of their products. One such lawsuit was filed by parents whose children were born with autism after using Tylenol during pregnancy.
The Tylenol Autism Lawsuit says that J&J’s inadequate testing caused them to sell products that were not safe enough to be used by pregnant women without harming their unborn children.
Aspirin
According to the global aspirin market, the size is expected to increase from $2.167 billion in 2020 to reach $2.558 billion by 2027. So, while Aspirin is a popular pain reliever, it also has significant side effects.
Aspirin can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding in your digestive tract, as well as kidney disease. Aspirin can also lead to Reye’s syndrome if you have children who are taking it and get the flu or chickenpox at the same time.
Another problem with aspirin relates to heart attacks and strokes. Studies show that people who take low-dose aspirin regularly have an increased risk of suffering from these conditions. It can also lower blood pressure too much when taken on its own, which may cause problems like dizziness or fainting spells in some users.
Clozapine (Clozaril)
Clozapine (Clozaril) is used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. It can cause abnormal heart rhythms, seizures, and neurological problems such as tardive dyskinesia, which is characterized by involuntary movements of the face and body. Clozapine can also cause a potentially fatal condition called agranulocytosis, a reduction in white blood cells that fight infection.
If you’re taking clozapine, be sure to report any new or worsening symptoms like weakness, dizziness, confusion, fever, chills, increased sweating or urination, nausea, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath after exercise, or any other unusual symptoms that concern you.
Digoxin
Digoxin is a drug that is used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias. It is also known as a cardiac glycoside. The chemical structure of digoxin includes an organic molecule that can be absorbed into cells in the body and act on their DNA. It causes muscle cells to contract, resulting in some cases of irregular heartbeat.
Digoxin can cause serious side effects, including severe irregular heartbeat. It can lead to sudden death if not treated properly with digitalis-like drugs such as Lanoxin and Lanoxicaps, which are similar medications but have fewer side effects than digoxin itself when taken at appropriate doses for an extended period.
Leflunomide (Arava)
Leflunomide can cause serious side effects, including gastrointestinal problems, liver damage, and blood disorders. It’s important to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have before taking leflunomide.
Leflunomide is a prescription drug that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Leflunomide can cause birth defects in pregnant women when taken during the first three months of pregnancy. It’s important that women who are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant talk with their doctor about any medications they’re taking.
Isoniazid (Nydrazid)
Isoniazid (Nydrazid) is a drug used to treat tuberculosis and arthritis. It can also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, but it’s important to remember that this medication isn’t indicated for use in children younger than 5 years old.
Isoniazid works by preventing the growth of bacteria that cause TB and other life-threatening infections. However, there are some side effects associated with taking this medication as well as an increased risk of liver damage if you have kidney disease or diabetes. You may also experience hepatitis or anemia from taking isoniazid which could potentially result in death as well if left untreated.
Check Before You Take any Over-The-Counter Medicine
According to Data Bridge Market Research, the prescription drugs market was valued at $1,015.63 billion in 2021 and is expected to touch $1,482.35 billion by 2029. But taking over-the-counter medicines without consulting your doctor first can be harmful.
While most over-the-counter medicines are safe, some have side effects that may cause more harm than good. If you take an over-the-counter medicine, make sure to read the label carefully and follow all directions carefully. If you are unsure or have questions about taking certain medications, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or another medical professional before taking them.
Conclusion
We hope you have found this list of the top medicines that cause harmful side effects helpful. Remember, though, many drugs can cause harm, and we encourage you to check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medicine.
