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Dr. Mercola
April 12 2008
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The Terrifying Side Effects of Prescription Drugs

prescription drugs, medicationThe side effects of prescription medication can be horrific. Is it really worth taking medication if the cure is worse than the disease?

Here 26 side effects that come with many prescription drugs currently on the market.

  1. Drainage, crusting, or oozing of your eyes or eyelids
  2. Swollen, black, or "hairy" tongue
  3. Changes in the shape or location of body fat
  4. Decrease in testicle size
  5. Sores or swelling in your rectal or genital area
  6. Blue lips or fingernails
  7. Purple spots on your skin
  8. White patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips
  9. Irregular back-and- forth movements of your eyes
  10. Enlarged breasts in males.
  11. Unusual risk-taking behavior, no fear of danger
  12. Extreme fear
  13. Hallucinations, fainting, coma
  14. Fussiness, irritability, crying for an hour or longer
  15. Paralysis
  16. Thoracic Hematoma (bleeding into your chest)
  17. A blood clot in your lung
  18. Liver damage
  19. Kidney damage
  20. A lump in your breast
  21. Decreased bone marrow function
  22. Congestive heart failure
  23. Shingles
  24. Nerve pain lasting for several weeks or months
  25. Bleeding that will not stop
  26. Coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds

One drug on the market, EvaMist -- a treatment for menopause symptoms such as hot flashes -- has possible side effects that include cancer, stroke, heart attack, blood clots, and dementia!

But this is only a partial list of the potential side effects of prescription drugs. There are, unfortunately, many more out there.



Dr. MercolaDr. Mercola's Comments:
Every year, more than 2 million Americans suffer from serious adverse drug reactions. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these reactions cause about 100,000 deaths per year, making prescription drugs the fourth-leading cause of death in the country.

Compare this to the death toll from illegal drugs -- which is about 10,000 per year -- and you begin to see the magnitude of the problem.

However, if you dig a little deeper you find that these reported reactions only skim the surface of what’s really going on. You see, drug side effects are not always recognized as such. Doctors often attribute them to other causes, people downplay them or do not report them altogether. And when you add in other medical errors, unnecessary procedures, and surgery-related mishaps, well the modern health care system actually becomes the LEADING cause of death in the United States. Consider, for instance, that:
  • The recorded error rate of ICU’s is like the post office losing more than 16,000 pieces of mail every hour of every day, or banks deducting 32,000 checks from the wrong bank account every hour, 24/7.
  • The recorded medical errors and deaths equate to six jumbo jets falling out of the sky each day, 365 days a year.
  • Since 2001, a recorded 490,000 people have died from properly prescribed drugs in the United States, while 2,996 people died on U.S. soil from terrorism, all in the 9/11 attacks; prescription drugs are therefore 16,400 percent more dangerous than terrorism. If deaths from over-the-counter drugs are also included, then drug consumption leaps to being 32,000 percent more dangerous than terrorism. And conventional medicine viewed as a whole is 104,700 percent deadlier than terrorism
Your Body is Not a Petri Dish

How can it be that clinically tested, FDA-approved drugs that are supposed to “cure” diseases are ending up hurting, and in some cases killing, so many people?

Because even under the BEST circumstances, such as a drug going through unbiased, stringent, long-term testing, when it is released into an uncontrolled environment (your body), anything can happen.

You may be taking another drug that interacts badly with it. Or perhaps a food you eat causes an unforeseen reaction. There are countless possibilities, and only a tiny fraction has been “tested for” in a lab.

And that is under the best circumstances. Often, studies are biased, results are skewed, and drugs are put on a fast-track to be approved before anyone really knows whether they’re safe. In a sense, it is all a gamble, and there are no 100-percent safe drugs.

This is why just about every time you open a newspaper or skim the news online, there is a new headline about another drug disaster: an unforeseen side effect that has harmed innocent people.

It’s YOUR Body

The take-home message from all of this is to remember that, ultimately, it’s your body, and your decision what to put in it. If your doctor suggests you take a drug, do some research before you take it, because once you do, it could be too late.

Make sure you are aware of the potential side effects of the drug, read the package insert, and remember that even if it lists a side effect as rare, it can still happen to you.

Many, many drugs are vastly over-prescribed and unnecessary. So make sure that you make drugs a last option, not a first choice. For example, all of the following conditions can be treated or prevented with LIFESTYLE CHANGES, yet if you go to a typical doctor, you will likely be prescribed a potentially dangerous drug instead:
I realize that it takes a massive shift in thinking to realize that your body can heal itself, and that often drugs only hinder the process. But I believe that you, and society as a whole, are ready for it.

But here’s the thing: don’t wait until you’re sick or slowing down to make healthy changes. Do them NOW. Become an active participant in your health, and leave the horrific drug side effects behind for good.
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Community Comments ( 71 )
 Comment on this Article
  
  
Christopher Gussa "The Herb Doc"
 [ Joined on 11/06 ] [ Posted on March 21, 2008 ]
44 Points        
   
 
Moderator User
Well, well, well! This is sure up my ally! This article is a very good find in the fight to change the face of medicine. What a contrast when compared to TCM Herbal Medicine! I may have over looked it but one of the Side EFX that was left out was death! I can not remember the products name but I have heard many times on some TV commercials a list of side EFX that included possible death! Even street drug addicts have a better chance of living when you look at these statistics:
     The number of unnecessary medical and surgical procedures performed annually is 7.5 million. The number of people exposed to unnecessary hospitalization annually is 8.9 million. The total number of iatrogenic deaths shown in the following table is 783,936. It is evident that the American medical system is the leading cause of death and injury in the United States. The 2001 heart disease annual death rate is 699,697; the annual cancer death rate, 553,251. It is evident that the American medical system is itself the leading cause of death and injury in the US! By comparison, approximately 699,697 Americans died of heart problems in 2001, while 553,251 died of cancer
      In April the Journal of American Medicine reported that "properly prescribed" legal drugs killed 106,000 Americans each year, due to toxic reactions. That's more that twenty times the number of Americans killed by illegal drugs, estimated at 5,212. Will politicians declare a War on the Pharmaceutical Drug Pushers? Of course not! So why are we spending $17 billion on the War on Drugs and not including the biggest killers which are the Pharmaceutical companies?
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
mmc88121
 		[ Joined on 11/06 ]  [ Posted on March 21, 2008]
20 Points        
   
Moderator User
  Mercola
How true Dr. Gussa,  and for those who are not aware iatrogenic means physician caused.  This is why food should be our medicine.

Mary
Mercola
  
Aaltrude
 		[ Joined on 04/07 ]  [ Posted on March 21, 2008]
15 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola
Dr Gussa, the figures you have presented here are somewhat ironic when you consider that the US has the most expensive medical care in the world.
Mercola
  
healthiswealth
 		[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on April 12, 2008]
9 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

Not only that Dr. Gussa, but we spend 16% of the GDP of the wealthiest nation in the history of the world on this pathetic "health" care system. This is projected to rise to 20% in the next five years. So we are paying trillions of dollars for the #1 cause of death and injury in America. It is an absolute outrage. We are something like 37th in longevity among developed nations. Even Cuba has longer longevity than the USA. When will the American people wake up and start a revolution? This is our LIVES they are taking away and profiting from!
Mercola
  
healthiswealth
 		[ Joined on 07/07 ]  [ Posted on April 12, 2008]
2 Points        
   
Apprentice User
  Mercola

I would just like to add that Dr. Mercola and the rest of us should continue to hammer away at the FACTS and EVIDENCE of our abysmal health system. Too many people just do not know how bad it is, and have no idea how it hurts people. I have heard more than one presidential candidate call it the "best health care system in the world", which if you look at the facts, is patently false. It is one of the worst. Al all they want to do is have the government be in charge, and the taxpayers pay for this failed system.  

  
  
samurai
 [ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on March 21, 2008 ]
18 Points        
   
 
Savvy User
I have posted this before:  if you want to read about the side effects of drugs posted by people who haven't been purchased by BP, please go to http://www.askapatient.com/ 
punch in your favorite drug (he-he-he), and read away. 
Wanna see another interesting one?  Why not check out what the pharma reps really think about the companies they work for?   Go to the blogs and you will see a lot of young men's (21-26 -- you can tell by the profanity and sexual talk they have) entries.  These people are convincing your doctor that the drugs (vacations they provide to the docs) they sell are helping you.  If only I could find a rep for Depo-Provera.......

http://www.cafepharma.com/
 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
WellnessMom
 		[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on March 24, 2008]
12 Points        
   
Novice User
  Mercola
Samurai,

askapatient.com is a great website. I was actually introduced to it in January by a Fibromyalgia newsletter I receive. I went there and posted my experience with an anti-depressant called Cymbalta in early 2005. After using it for only 2 months, I suffered from a detached retina and many tears in the other eye. My surgery which was supposed to be only about 1 1/2 hours, took over 3 hours because there was more damage than originally found by my retinal specialist.

I since have used herbal supplements and a good vitamin and mineral complex along with eating healthier and as much exercise as my body will allow. I also just purchased a rebounder, which is shown to have some great health benefits and is very low impact.

My new motto is to try to find a natural solution before ever letting my doc talk me into a prescription med again!
Mercola
  
Alexis
 		[ Joined on 11/07 ]  [ Posted on April 11, 2008]
3 Points        
   
This user is BELOW novice level and all their comments need to be reviewed with great caution.
  Mercola

Thank you for the link to askpatient.com, samurai. I had a good time writing reviews on it.

Mercola
  
vallpt
 		[ Joined on 10/06 ]  [ Posted on April 12, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Wellness Mom,

I have been doing iodine and guaifenesin for reversing fibromyalgia. It feels great to sleep again and my pain level is back to 10%-20% of what it has been and am cycling away the huge lumps that formed on my muscles all over my body. I still cycle spasms but I feel like I am getting rid of this disease. More information at www.fibromyalgiarecovery.com and www.breastcancerchoices.org

My cousin wrote a book about 300 most common prescription drugs filled with information the drug companies don't want you to know. Before you swallow that drug by Doug Bremner, MD. He is a professor and researcher at Emory University in Atlanta. The chapters that apply to me were easy to read and everyone should read the chapter on supplements. The book came out in March.
Mercola
  
WellnessMom
 		[ Joined on 06/06 ]  [ Posted on April 12, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

vallpt,

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to check it all out. I am not having alot of luck with too many things. Alot of what I use is great as long as I have NO stress in my life. That sets it off and it's very hard to get it under control again.

Thanks again for the info,

WellnessMom
  
  
tmradius
 [ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 12, 2008 ]
17 Points        
   
 
Novice User

I am 90 years old I was born in 1918).  Your Profile page only goes to 1920!  I take no prescription medications nor do I need any.  I still have all my original parts.  But, alas, I have a pacemaker to help my ticker.  Sorry about that.  I have been taking supplements since 1952.  I try staying abreast with up-to-date information on nutrition and supplements.  My biggest fear is landing in a hospital and hearing a doctor tell me to get rid of all those supplements.    

 [ Reply ]
Mercola
  
Lynn46
 		[ Joined on 12/06 ]  [ Posted on April 13, 2008]
3 Points        
   
Savvy User
  Mercola

Dear tmradius,

I just had to log on when I saw your message. You are probably one of the few 90-year olds on the Internet!! Congrats on living to 90 with all of your "original parts," ESPECIALLY YOUR BRAIN, intact. Also congrats on refusing pharma drugs and taking nutritional supplements instead. All of us Mercola.com forum readers should admire your just saying "NO" to drugs, and follow your example. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all could reach age 90 in good (dare I say, excellent) condition.

You said, "My biggest fear is landing in a hospital and hearing a doctor tell me to get rid of all those supplements." That is an event that you should NEVER have to endure. And it is your choice to refuse any type of medical treatment, in spite of what some well-meaning family member or paramedic might try to urge on you. Short of some type of accident like a broken bone (which would warrant medical treatment), we all have the right to say "NO" to hospital or drug treatment. As far as "getting rid of the supplements" is concerned, you should be cognizant now of the fact that it is the U.S. Federal Government (FDA) that is trying to curtail access to nutritional supplements.

Rock on, Mr. or Ms. tmradius,

Lynn (age 61, but without all of her original parts, a few being surgically removed)
Mercola
  
I Believe2
 		[ Joined on 05/08 ]  [ Posted on May 10, 2008]
       
   
Novice User
  Mercola

Congratulations! to tmradius. wish you were my neighbor! Refreshing to read. I will be 70 this year and love my life. Strokes have plagued me in the past because of a 1/4 inch hole between the top chambers of my heart causing blood clots so I'm on Plavix. He mentioned surgery to repair the hole (if the Plavix doesn't work?) Asthma is entering into my life again. Doc put me on Advair and I am having symptoms of weakness & severe pain of muscles, nose bleeds, strange feelings in my brain, headaches, disturbed sleep, constant cold and sinus symptoms. I did a research on this drug and found that these new symptoms are related to Advair and also found out that when you have heart trouble it could make that worse as well. Tried to not take the Advair last night and had shortness of breath &smothering, so I had to. I also found it interesting to know that sudden death could occur taking the drug and also trying to get off it. DISGUSTING and discouraging to say the least. If anyone knows an alternative please let me know so I can get off this horrible drug. Been on it for 3 months.Thanks! IBelieve2

  
  
Mary Anne
 [ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on March 25, 2008 ]
15 Points