Many prescription drugs today help manage health issues caused by disease, injury, or other physical conditions. But not all medications are safe, and some can be very dangerous. This article discusses the dangers of a few common prescriptions that you should avoid taking to stay healthy and improve your quality of life.
Contents
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Digoxin is a medication to treat heart problems such as irregular heartbeat, atrial fibrillation, and congestive heart failure. Side effects of Digoxin include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain or weakness, slow or difficult speech, confusion, vision changes, including seeing a double or blurred vision. In more severe cases, these symptoms can develop into yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), unusual bleeding or bruising, chest pain on breathing deeply, or coughing.
Omeprazole (Prilosec)
This prescription medication helps to prevent and treat ulcers. Side effects of Omeprazole include nausea, stomach pain or burning, diarrhea, constipation, headache, vomiting, dizziness, or lightheadedness, as well as yellow eyes and skin. In some cases, this medication links with infection from resistant bacteria known as Clostridium, which causes fever and severe abdominal pain, and diarrhea that may be watery or bloody.
If you are taking Omeprazole, it is essential to take the medication exactly as directed, not to skip any doses, and to use caution when driving or performing other tasks that require coordination until the effects of this drug are known.
Celexa (Citalopram)
This prescription medication helps to treat depression and anxiety disorder. Side effects of Celexa include nausea, weight loss or gain, constipation, vomiting, muscle pain, weakness, and confusion, and restlessness. One of the risks of this medication is Serotonin Syndrome which includes shaking or trembling of the hands along with dizziness or lightheadedness along with changes in blood pressure. If you have been taking this medication and seeing any of these side effects, it is essential to inform your doctor immediately to prescribe another course of treatment for you.
MiraLax (Polyethylene Glycol 3350)
This prescription medication helps treat constipation from various causes, including medications or conditions that affect bowel function. Side effects of MiraLax include dizziness, stomach cramps, nausea, frequent urge to urinate, along with diarrhea. In rare cases, this drug links to liver damage, which can be painless at first but develop into jaundice and light-colored stools or dark urine. If you have been prescribed MiraLax, it is essential to drink at least eight glasses of water a day in addition to following your usual diet so you can avoid becoming constipated.
Ativan (Lorazepam)
This prescription medication can help treat anxiety from various causes, including substance abuse, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or panic disorder. Side effects of Ativan include drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, and lightheadedness, which can increase the risk of falls and accidents, especially if taken with other medications that cause similar side effects. In some cases, this drug links with acute liver failure, which occurs suddenly and can be fatal; however, it is unclear whether the drug caused this condition or if it would have happened even without taking Ativan. If you are taking Ativan, it is essential to avoid driving or performing any other activities that require concentration until the effects of this drug are known.
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
This prescription drug helps treat hypothyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones, resulting in fatigue and weight gain symptoms. Side effects of Levothyroxine include greater sensitivity to cold, headache, tremors or shaking, as well as irritability. In some cases, this medication links with an enlarged thyroid gland (known as a goiter) and heart palpitations; however, the risk for these side effects increases with age regardless of whether you are taking Levothyroxine. The results of this medication may take several weeks to become apparent. Hence, it is essential to continue taking the medication even if you do not feel immediate relief from your symptoms.
Clozaril (Clozapine)
This medication helps treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, which may have various causes, such as bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder. Side effects of Clozaril include excessive salivation, loss of appetite, fever, swelling in the ankles, feet, or lower legs. In rare cases, this drug links to heart problems, including a rapid heartbeat which can lead to an increased risk for stroke, especially if you take any medications that affect blood pressure. If you have been prescribed Clozaril, it is crucial to maintain regular checkups with your doctor so they can monitor your condition and prescribe another course of treatment for you if necessary.
Accutane (Isotretinoin)
This drug helps treat severe acne, which may occur from various causes, such as puberty or genetics. Side effects of Accutane include dry lips, nose, and eyes, and increased sensitivity to the sun, which increases the risk for sunburn and other more severe conditions, including severe scarring of the skin and congenital disabilities if a child is conceived during or shortly after treatment. This drug links to mental health problems in rare cases, including depression and even thoughts about suicide. However, some people have trouble taking it because it can cause problems for the liver, so you must first undergo several tests before beginning treatment.
Prednisone (Methylprednisolone)
This drug helps treat various conditions, including allergies, autoimmune diseases, and asthma. Side effects of prednisone include weight gain, especially around the face, as well as mood swings. Some people also experience increased blood pressure either during treatment or after it has ended, increasing the risk of heart problems.
Make sure that you do not stop taking this medication abruptly, or else you may experience withdrawal symptoms similar to those that occur when stopping many other drugs, including nausea, vomiting, headache, and joint pain.
Conclusion
If you are currently taking any medications that have been on the list of dangerous medicines, talk to your doctor about alternative treatments that may be available. If there isn’t an alternative available, try switching to a medication that is less likely to cause these side effects. It is essential that the medicines we take help much more than the harm they create, and to know all the side effects before taking any medication!
