Meds you should probably consider not taking...

disappoint

Lifer
Dec 7, 2009
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Sometimes, doctors prescribe meds that maybe....how do I put this....they shouldn't.

So list here meds that you consider unsafe and should be banned by the FDA but aren't. Don't get me wrong, if the med works for you I'm not against them outright, I just think the side effects might outweigh the positive effects in some cases.

Prednisone (corticosteroids)
kayexalate
accutane
Xanax (benzodiazepines)

Don't get me wrong, if meds work for you, even if they are controversial, then I think you should continue to take them. I'm just saying sometimes docs are a bit quick to just prescribe meds and send you on your way even if there may be alternative treatments with less side effects that may be better for you that they might not take the time to look into with you, that you should probably consider. I can't think of any more controversial meds so if you've had experience with some list them here. The side effects and controversies/lawsuits for each can be found online all over the place.
 

shiner

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
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hehehehe.jpg
 

Crono

Lifer
Aug 8, 2001
23,720
1,502
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Probably a number of psychiatric medications.

I wouldn't say that most of them can't be helpful, but a lot depends on individual cases/patients. Often times the side effects are much worse then coping with the disease by other methods.
 

AyashiKaibutsu

Diamond Member
Jan 24, 2004
9,306
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I've taken Methylprednisolone (corticosteroid) and it saved my ass my some nasty welt type rashes over a large part of my body. Also, works well on psoriasis, but can't take it all the time for it.

Now, when I took levaquine and lost my sense of smell + terrible joint pain then got put on bactrim and suffered from thrombocytopenia a that was not fun.
 

Numenorean

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2008
4,442
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I'd say that you shouldn't take any medications whatsoever unless there is very good reason.
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
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I know more than one person that has been helped by Prednisone.

I've been seriously helped by prednisone. When I was a teenager I got hives all over my body from something airborne, we never figured out what it was from. I was covered by red itchy bumps. It was excrutiating, it was impossible to keep from scratching and my skin was getting raw. I could barely sleep, and when I did fall asleep it was only for 15 minutes or so at a time. Benedryal worked for a day but stopped controlling it after that. The doctor put me on prednisone and in about an hour everything was fine. I stayed on it for about 2 weeks. Sure, it had side effects but I wasn't in pain and I could sleep a full night. The side effects were FAR smaller than the problems I was having.

Beyond the sort of stuff I used it for it's also very important for certain treatments for cancer. It's incredibly useful and has saved, extended, or improved plenty of lives. While it can be misused the stuff it can do is very helpful for some people.

Whenever my doctor wants to give me a new med we talk about it and any side effects that it might have. I'll take her opinion and the information she can give me over some random guy on the internet that has decided that they should be banned.
 

DangerAardvark

Diamond Member
Oct 22, 2004
7,559
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I know more than one person that has been helped by Prednisone.

Yeah, I used it for chronic inflammation of my plantar fascia and it worked like a charm. I was on it for a short enough time to not experience any side-effects, but I would not want to be on it longterm. They have to dial down the dosage slowly because it suppresses your adrenal glands. That's some scary ass shit.
 

coloumb

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,069
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Prednisone eh? Dermatologist gave me a small prescription to try and clear up a weird skin issue/rash that wasn't going away [small itchy patches on the back, eblows, thighs]. Seemed to have worked as the annoying rashes disappeared... :)

While I was taking it - I had this euphoric energetic feeling about an hour after taking one... [which appears to be one of the side effects].
 

IcePickFreak

Platinum Member
Jul 12, 2007
2,428
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Thanks for the heads up. I got this rash, if you don't mind PM me and I'll send you some pics and if you can help that'd be great.
 

Powermoloch

Lifer
Jul 5, 2005
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It is always best to research the meds (therapeutic effects, mode of action, side effects, adverse effects, etc). They have they're ups and downs, but they do serve a purpose.
 

zinfamous

No Lifer
Jul 12, 2006
111,700
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me too. Like every organ transplant recipient in the world.

yeah, prednisone is a damn fine drug--but most will balloon the fuck up when they're on it. I don't consider that a horrible thing, as it's simply drug-related.

I suppose there are some people that could take the sudden weight gain as serious emotional stress (Well, don't prescribe it to a bride 2 months before her wedding, if possible), but it's certainly not life threatening.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
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I had to look up side effects for prednisone, and it turns out some are not so pretty. From drugs.com:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Prednisone:

Difficulty sleeping; feeling of a whirling motion; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; mood changes; nervousness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Prednisone:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); appetite loss; black, tarry stools; changes in menstrual periods; convulsions; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; exaggerated sense of well-being; fever; general body discomfort; headache; increased pressure in the eye; joint or muscle pain; mood swings; muscle weakness; personality changes; prolonged sore throat, cold, or fever; puffing of the face; severe nausea or vomiting; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds; weakness; weight loss.
 

bfdd

Lifer
Feb 3, 2007
13,312
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i just can't believe how easy xanax scripts are to get. they give that shit out like candy. that is one miserable drug imo
 

Wyndru

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2009
7,318
4
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Prednisone (corticosteroids) - I was just prescribed this because I've been having problems breathing due to a nasty virus I've had for a few weeks.

Seems to be helping so far, I feel a lot better since I've been on it.