Whenever a prescription drug ad comes on the TV screen, it’s usually a feel-good story. The person who has a health problem is doing activities while the drug’s benefits are explained in the background.
Near the end of the commercial, the narrator starts listing all of the potential side effects of the drugs. You’ll also see tiny print on the bottom of the screen. But why?
Prescription drugs are a two-edged sword. They may help, but they can be dangerous drugs.
They have been linked to different health ailments. Recently some prescription medication has also been linked to cancer. If you are dealing with a health affliction and need prescription drugs for it, here are some that may cause cancer.
Fluoxetine and Paroxetine
Each year almost 18% of the U.S. population suffers from depression and anxiety. The standard treatment for these conditions is antidepressants.
Fluoxetine and paroxetine are two medications that have been linked to testicular cancer. Researchers concluded that fluoxetine led to 14 cases of cancer, while paroxetine led to 11.
If you don’t want to take antidepressants, there are other ways to deal with anxiety and depression. You can try meditation, changing your diet, or counseling to help you overcome these problems.
Hydrochlorothiazide
Hydrochlorothiazide is a medication that helps deal with high blood pressure and water retention. It’s a diuretic that prompts you to urinate more, causing excess water to leave your body.
However, hydrochlorothiazide is a dangerous drug that researchers connected to lip cancer. The study concluded that over 58 months, 147 people developed lip cancer from taking hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid taking this medication by figuring out ways to manage your high blood pressure. Ensure that you exercise consistently and regulate your responses to stressful situations to reduce the chances of your blood pressure rising.
Zantac
Having heartburn isn’t a pleasant feeling, and it’s vital to get relief from it quickly. Most Americans choose Zantac to help them deal with heartburn.
However, in 2020, the FDA recalled Zantac because of its increased NDMA levels. You can find NDMA in chlorine and some small traces in foods that we eat.
Consistent exposure to this chemical leads to various forms of cancer, which is why Zantac is known as one of the most dangerous drugs. Here’s some of the latest news about Zantac and how you can take action against them if you’ve taken the product.
Nortriptyline
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that helps deal with significant depression, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain. But, researchers found links between the drug and two forms of cancer: liver and esophageal.
The study showed that consistent use of nortriptyline led to 12 people developing lung cancer from nine months of use. Another 19 people developed esophageal cancer as a result.
Avoid These Dangerous Drugs
Prescription medications may help us with some health ailments. But sometimes, they can be dangerous drugs that cause cancer.
Check with your doctor about potential cancer links in prescriptions before taking any medication. It could save your life.
If you’re interested in other health tips, check out our other posts! We have a lot of content that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.