The opioid epidemic is so present in our mainstream media that most people would probably point to drugs like Fentanyl or OxyContin as the most dangerous currently on the market. Well, the truth might surprise you.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at the “7 Most Dangerous Drugs” on the market today that have been in or currently are in litigation.
Top 7 Most Dangerous Prescription drugs
7 Most Dangerous Prescription Drugs | Denver Personal Injury Attorney
We’ve culled through the Internet search engines, as well as the most recent studies to compile a list of most dangerous prescription drugs on the market today, as well as those currently going through litigation or settlements. Here are the seven most dangerous drugs:
- Blood Thinners – The prescription drugs most likely to send you to the emergency room at your local hospital are anticoagulants or “blood thinners,” according to a recent report published by the Institute for Safe Medications. At the top of the list are Xarelto, Pradaxa, and Warfarin. Possible side effects include excessive bleeding when cut, weakened blood vessels and cells. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that nearly 22,000 people have suffered severe injuries from blood thinners, like these. But, the CDC also claims that as many as ten times that number may actually have been harmed by the drugs, because they only track voluntary reports submitted.1
- Prednisone or Cortisone – Prednisone corticosteroid used to prevent the release of substances in the body that might cause inflammation. It is also used to help the immune system fight off infections and viruses. This drug is known to have the following possible side effects: high blood pressure, fluid retention, potassium loss, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis among other things.
- Methotrexate – This drug is used by physicians to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Some believe that when used with Prednisone, can possibly become a deadly cocktail. Known side effects include: possible mouth sores, diarrhea, anemia, darkened urine, abdominal pain, yellowing eyes, black stool, liver and kidney toxicity, bone marrow depression, lung disease, and others.
- Cholesterol Lowering Drugs – Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. Known side effects include: muscle pain and damage, liver damage, increased risk of stroke and diabetes. Some of the well-known statin brand names that have been involved in litigation include: Mevacor, Zocor, Lescol, Lipitor, and Crestor.
- Depression Medication – Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lovan, and Luvox alter the amount of serotonin in the brain and body. Possible side effects of too much serotonin in the body include: agitation, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, hostility, violent and obsessive behavior.
- ADD/ADHD Drugs – Ritalin, Cylert, Dexadrine, and Adderal are prescribed to help those with attention deficit disorders. Possible side effects include: liver failure, heart attack, suicide, severe depression, anxiety, and panic attacks in children as well as adults.
- Diuretics – These cause excess water to be excreted. For instance, when a patient has water surrounding their heart, their physician will often prescribe a diuretic. The most common diuretics are thiazides (e.g. Chlorothiazide, Chlorthadlidone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Metolazone, and Indapamide), loop (eg. Torsemide, Furosemide, Bumetanide, Ethacrynic Acid), and potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. Amiloride, Spironolactone, Triamterene, and Eplerenone). Possible known side effects include: allergic reaction, kidney failure, irregular heartbeat, too much or too little potassium in the blood, low sodium, headache, dizziness, thirst, increased blood sugar, muscle cramps, skin rash, gout, diarrhea, among others.
Contact a Denver Personal Injury Attorney at the Warshauer-McLaughlin Law Group, P.C.
Have you been injured or lost a loved one after having taken a dangerous drug? If so, the Denver Personal Injury Attorney at Warshauer-McLaughlin Law Group, P.C. is ready to pick up the torch for your cause. Unfortunately, when drugs that are supposed to help us end up hurting us, we need to make sure that the drug manufacturers are held accountable. Under the law, drug companies must pay for any injury caused by their products, and if you or a loved one has been harmed, you should contact the Warshauer-McLaughlin Law Group, P.C. immediately.
We are here to aggressively stand up for victims’ rights to compensation and help them hold negligent drug manufacturers responsible for injuring them. With more than 35 years of combined legal experience, our Denver personal injury attorney has a proven record of success and dedication getting the highest possible settlements for clients’ injuries and losses.
We’ll set up a free, no-obligation meeting so you can learn more about your rights and get a thorough, professional evaluation of your case. Call today at (720) 420-9800 or email us using the contact form on this page.
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1“Most Dangerous Drugs: Xarelto, Pradaxa and Other Blood Thinners” published in Consumer Safety, September 2017.
