Prescriptions drugs are medicines that are prescribed by a health professional to treat or prevent a disease, disorder or medical condition. When drugs are misused or abused, they can become dangerous and lead to adverse health consequences, even death. Opioid painkillers, chemotherapy, blood thinners, antidepressants and corticosteroids are among the most dangerous prescription drugs.
Opioid Painkillers
Opioid painkillers are very dangerous prescription drugs. Many opioids, such as oxycodone, hydromorphone and methadone, are schedule 2 narcotics, meaning they have the highest rating for harmfulness and abuse among prescription drugs, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Research by L. Manchikanti published in "Pain Physician" in 2008 revealed that therapeutic opioid use has increased, particularly among schedule 2 drugs. Opioids adversely affect hormone balance and the immune system. People taking these drugs can increase their tolerance and sensitivity to pain. Misuse, abuse or overdose of opioid painkillers, such as oxycodone, can be fatal.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to kill fast-growing cells in the body, according to MayoClinic.com. Chemotherapy is used to treat cancer, a disease in which cancer cells grow quickly, sometimes faster than normal cells. Chemotherapy is also used to treat bone marrow diseases and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Chemotherapy drugs, such as methotrexate, can kill normal cells and tissues throughout the body. In addition, these drugs can have long-term risks and dangerous side effects, such as heart and kidney problems, damage to lung tissue and nerves, infertility and suppressed immune system.
Blood Thinners
Blood thinners are drugs that reduce formation of blood clots in the arteries, veins and capillaries and decrease risk of heart attack and stroke, according to MedlinePlus. Anticoagulant blood thinners, such as warfarin, increase the time it takes to form a blood clot. Anticoagulants are dangerous, because they can cause a person to be unable to stop bleeding and have excessive blood loss after an injury or during and after a surgical procedure, according to ClotCare. Internal hemorrhaging could be difficult to detect, cause damage to organs and even be fatal.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft are used to treat depression. Antidepressants work by increasing levels of chemical messengers in the brain. Despite their effectiveness, antidepressants can increase the risk of suicide. The Food and Drug Administration mandates that all antidepressant drugs include a warning in the product label that informs users about the risk for increased thoughts of suicide when taking antidepressants. Moreover, the FDA requires prescribing health professionals to closely monitor patients on antidepressants.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroid drugs such as prednisone, cortisone and hydrocortisone mimic the effects of adrenal hormones in the body, reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system, according to MayoClinic.com. These drugs treat lupus, arthritis, asthma and other conditions. Yet corticosteroids have severe and dangerous adverse effects that include increased blood pressure, cataracts, elevated pressure in the eyes, increased risk of infections and reduced wound-healing time. Corticosteroids also increase fluid retention and swelling in the legs and increase risk of osteoporosis from loss of calcium in bones. Corticosteroids can increase body weight and deposit fat in the abdomen, neck and face.
References
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration: Drug Scheduling
- "Pain Physician"; Therapeutic Opioids; Manchikanti, L.; March 2008
- ClotCare: FAQs About Warfarin (brand name Coumadin)
- Food and Drug Administration: Antidepressant Use in Children, Adolescents, and Adults
- MayoClinic.com: Prednisone and Other Corticosteroids: Balance the Risks and Benefits
