Physicians are prescribing medications at unprecedented rates and many of these medications can cause harmful side effects, drug addictions and harmful interactions that can result in personal injuries and wrongful deaths. To protect themselves, consumers should actively research their prescription medications and verify that the drugs won’t cause unnecessary harm.
The Most Dangerous Drugs
Prednisone and cortisone are commonly prescribed to treat arthritis, lupus, and asthma. These anti-inflammatory medications can cause high blood pressure, thin bones, suppress hormone production, and negatively affect blood sugar levels which can exacerbate symptoms of diabetes.
Some of the most dangerous drugs are blood thinners. Coumadin and Warfarin are anticoagulants which can cause internal hemorrhaging. Once ingested, there is very little that can be done to counteract their effect until the body naturally clears them from the system. From 2011 to 2014, 165 nursing home patients died following treatment with these drugs.
Cancer treatment drugs are particularly toxic and dangerous. Drugs such as methotrexate can depress bone marrow production, cause lung disease, lead to internal bleeding within the intestines, and depress the immune system which can make the individual prone to secondary infections. From 2000 to 2004, Methotrexate was linked to at least 25 deaths which prompted FDA review and enhanced warnings regarding its usage and dosage.
Prozac and other antidepressants including Zoloft, Paxil, and Luvox can cause severe discomfort and negatively impact the individual’s quality of life. These drugs can cause insomnia, agitation, dizziness, and blurred vision. Additionally, these drugs impact an individual’s ability to safely drive a motor vehicle or operate machinery which can negatively impact their ability to work and can lead to accidents at work or on the road.
The Duty of Drug Manufacturers, Physicians, & Pharmacists
Drug manufacturers have a duty of care to consumers that includes proper testing and labeling of the drugs they produce. Similarly, physicians and pharmacists have a duty of care to their patients that includes not prescribing or filling prescriptions for medications that have the potential to cause harm to the patient. For example, physicians cannot prescribe medications that have known adverse interactions with other prescriptions the individual is taking. Further, pharmacists are required to verify that the dosages prescribed are within established guidelines and won’t cause harm or injury when taken.