While researching my book, Do You Really Need That Pill?, I came upon many drugs that can cause more harm than good. But there are five specific types that I think most people should avoid, due to their questionable effectiveness and potential side effects. Many of these are blockbusters heavily advertised by Big Pharma. Of course, there are people who actually need these drugs, but they are few and far between.
My book covers these drugs in much greater detail and I will focus on each one more specifically in a later post. But for now, here is the nitty gritty on the top five types of drugs to avoid, if you can:
- Statins (Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor) are prescribed to lower cholesterol. Current guidelines advise that nearly everyone over age 65 take them but there is little evidence that they actually prevent heart disease in people without risk factors or a previous heart attack or stroke. One out of every five people taking them experiences muscle damage and they can double the risk of diabetes. Statins have also been associated with memory loss, dementia, and impaired liver function.
- Acid Reflux Drugs (Nexium, Prilosec, Prevacid) were approved by the FDA to be taken for only 2 weeks, yet many people take them for months or even years. They suppress stomach acid, which prevents the body from absorbing essential nutrients such as calcium, iron, and Vitamin B12. This leads to such problems as anemia, depression, bone fractures, and dementia.
- Osteoporosis drugs (Fosamax, Reclast) are unnecessary for the vast majority of women who take them. There is little evidence that they strengthen bones or prevent hip fractures and there are several dangerous side effects. Exercising, getting plenty of calcium and Vitamin D in your diet, and avoiding excess alcohol and caffeine are better ways to improve your bone health.
- Anti-depressants (Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Effexor) are effective in as few as one out of seven people with mild to moderate depression. Side effects include sexual dysfunction, suicide, bleeding disorders, and diabetes. Psychotherapy, exercise, meditation, yoga, and alternative therapies such as acupuncture and homeopathy can alleviate depression.
- Opioid pain relievers (morphine, codeine, OxyContin, Vicodin, Percocet) caused more than 30,000 overdose deaths in 2017 despite research showing they are no more effective than over-the-counter pain pills like ibuprofen. Another nearly 30,000 deaths were attributed to synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. Because of their potential for addiction, the FDA now recommends that prescriptions for opioids be limited to seven days.