Many patients suffer and even lose their lives because of the detrimental side effects of prescription drugs. In fact, almost all medications, including over-the-counter and prescription, have some unwelcome, and even hazardous, results, ranging from muscle aches to death. Although there are federal regulations that overlook these drugs, side effects are unavoidable. Following are some of the dangerous side effects of prescription drugs:

Death

Some prescription drugs can be fatal, such as in the form of cancer or a heart attack. There are times when prescription drugs, such as penicillin, trigger allergic reactions, resulting in itching or even an anaphylactic response, which can be deadly. Or a drug can bring about a fatal heart attack or stroke, which has occurred in patients who take drugs, such as Avandia or Actos, to treat type 2 diabetes.

Other medications may cause patients to act out of character, and do something as unexpected as commit suicide. Certain drugs, including Accutane and some antidepressants, have been associated with suicidal thoughts and behavior.

Physical Debilitation

Several drugs can cause physical and emotional debilitation, including paralysis or excruciating pain. Other examples are headaches, stomach pains, joint and muscle pain, and reduced control over bodily functions.

Such side effects are sometimes caused by the drug’s desensitizing effect on the part of the brain that is in charge of the sensation of pain. Lipitor, a medication that is typically prescribed to treat cholesterol, is associated with sudden muscle pain and loss of muscle coordination.

Heart Problems

Several prescription drugs have been associated with heart conditions, such as heart attacks, congestive heart failure, permanent injury to the heart, and cardiomyopathy. At times, the drugs can lead to a rise in water-weight gain, which results in heart failure or a heart attack. That is the effect of Avandia and its sister drug, Actos.

Furthermore, studies indicate that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) drugs, such as AndroGel, could double the potential for a heart attack in men.

Stroke

A stroke is marked by a swift loss of brain function because of a disruption of blood flow. Strokes have been connected with many types of prescription drugs, some of which cause the formation of blood clots. They include Risperdal, which is used to treat Alzheimer’s, and the painkiller Vioxx.

Cancer

One of the most distressing and devastating side effects of prescription drugs is cancer. Patients were very surprised to learn that Tamoxifen, which is used in the treatment of breast cancer, can cause a rise in the risk of uterine cancer. Moreover, the drug, Actos, which is used to relieve symptoms of diabetes, is connected with an 80 percent greater risk of bladder cancer in patients who take the drug for at least two years.

If you were injured by the use of a prescription drug, contact us today.