Rick's World

Disclaimer: Am I doctor? No. These are merely my opinions based on some research I've done recently. Now that we've got that out of the way, let me just say that 'safe' drugs are not safe, whether they be prescription or non-prescription drugs. All drugs have side effects. Some worse than others. What many people don't realize, is that prescription and non-prescription drugs are one of the leading causes of health problems in America. Here are a few examples: Non-Prescription Drugs Acetaminophen: The main drug in such brands as Tylenol, Excedrin, and Theraflu can cause acute liver failure, requiring the victim to receive a liver transplant! NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): The main drug in such brands as Advil and others can cause stomach ulcers. Prescription Drugs Note that this information is derived from an article in the January 2006 issue of Consumer Reports. Celecoxib (aka Celebrex): This drug is used as a pain reliever. It may cause increased risk of heart attach and stroke. Estrogen: This drug is used for menopausal symptoms. It may cause increased risk of breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots. Isotretinoin (Accutane): This drug is used for acne. It may cause birth defects, depression, psychosis, and suicidal tendencies. Malathion (Ovide): This drug is used for treating head lice. It may cause flammability of hari and neurotoxicity. Medroxyprogesterone (Depo-Provera): This drug is used for contraception. It may cause irreversable bone loss. Mefloquine (Lariam): This drug is used to prevent Malaria. It may cause disorientation, severe anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and depression. Rosuvastatin (Crestor): This drug is used for high cholesterol. It may cause muscle breakdowns and kidney damage. Salmeterol (Serevent): This drug is used for asthma. It may cause increased asthma-related deaths. Sibutramine (Meridia): This drug is used for weight loss. It may cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, heart-rhythm abnormalities, heart attack, cardiac arrest, and memory problems. SSRIs (Zoloft, Effexor): This type of drug is used to treat anxiety and depression. It may cause increased suicidal tendencies, especially in children and teens. Tegaserod (Zelnorm): This drug is used for irritable bowel syndrome with constipation. It may cause potentially dangerous diarrhea and other intestinal problems. Topical immunosuppressants (Elidel, Protopic): This type of drug is used to treat Eczema. It may cause increased cancer risk.