As more pharmaceutical companies attempt to devise miracle drugs to address even the most minute of health problems, the prevalence of dangerous drugs and pharmaceutical injuries increases. Opioids, such as codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, Vicodin, and others, are prescribed most often as pain relievers. These types of drugs can be very effective when used on a short-term basis to treat severe pain, but they are also highly addictive and can lead to dependence and abuse very easily.
Common dangerous drugs include:
OxyContin. This painkiller is very addictive and subject to abuse.
Vioxx. At first, this drug was highly recommended for those suffering from diabetes, but studies showed that it increases the risk of cardiovascular complications.
Paxil. Doctors used this medication to treat depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but research revealed that it caused a spike in child suicide rates.
Baycol was supposed to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attacks. It caused the deaths of almost 100 people before the FDA recalled it from the market.
Ambien is a sedative that is commonly prescribed to treat insomnia. It also had dangerous side effects, such as slowed breathing and sleepwalking.
Hormonal birth control. Women who take certain birth control pills have a higher risk of developing blood clots, such as pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) treat a wide variety of psychological disorders, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, and eating disorders. Unfortunately, they increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in some patients.