A lot of folks like to talk about the potential dangers and side effects of herbs, plant-based remedies, and supplements, and that’s just fine with me. People should be careful. People should ask questions. People should know what they’re putting into their bodies.
But what has always amazed me is how many people will question an herb from the garden, yet never question a prescription from the pharmacy.
I still have files and files from the medications my husband was prescribed over the years, and some of those packets listing the possible side effects were enough to make your head spin. In my opinion, some of them were downright outrageous.
Now before anybody gets upset, let me say this: I am not here to make medical claims. I’m not here to tell anyone what medicine they should or shouldn’t take. I’m not here to tell anybody what to think. These are my beliefs, my experiences, and the choices I’ve made for myself and my family. You’re free to make your own.
What I am here to talk about is something I’ve seen with my own eyes.
So many people are sick. I’ve been there myself. I’ve watched friends be there. I’ve watched family be there. I’ve watched people go from one appointment to another, one medication to another, one diagnosis to another, hoping the next thing would finally be the answer and they would get some type of relief, to no avail.
I’ve watched so many people struggle.
Back in the late 1980s, I found myself in the same place and I had to make some hard decisions about my own health. I made up my mind that if I got through it, I was going to take a different path. For me, that meant stepping away from a lot of things and putting more focus on the things I believed were helping me.
That was my choice. You’re free to make your own
I’m not claiming to have all the answers. I put my trust and faith in the one who does and Lord knows I don’t. But in my opinion, they don’t either.
But I do believe people should ask questions. I believe they should educate themselves. I believe they should take an active role in their own health and not be afraid to look at all their options.
Most of all, I think people ought to stop and honestly ask themselves one simple question:
“Is what I’m doing working?”
Only you can answer that.
I’ll leave you with this old saying:
“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
Whether you agree with me or not, I hope you’ll take the time to learn, ask questions, and make the decisions that you believe are best for you and your family.
That’s all this old granny is trying to say.
And to think, these are just a few of the KNOWN and reported side effects of commonly prescribed medications.
Plavix (clopidogrel)
Common side effects
- Bruising more easily
- Bleeding that takes longer to stop
- Nosebleeds
- Diarrhea
- Rash
- Itching
- Headache
- Dizziness
Serious side effects
- Severe bleeding
- Blood in urine or stool
- Vomiting blood
- Rare blood disorder called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
- Severe allergic reactions
- Liver injury (rare)
When to seek medical attention
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Black, tarry stools
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Unusual weakness, confusion, or neurological symptoms
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction
Sources: FDA-approved prescribing information and professional drug references.
Brilinta (ticagrelor)
Common side effects
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding more easily
- Nosebleeds
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
Serious side effects
- Major bleeding
- Intracranial bleeding
- Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Severe allergic reactions
When to seek medical attention
- Bleeding that will not stop
- Blood in urine or stool
- Coughing or vomiting blood
- Fainting or severe dizziness
- Severe breathing problems
Sources: FDA labeling and prescribing information.
Eliquis (apixaban)
Common side effects
- Easy bruising
- Minor bleeding
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Heavier menstrual bleeding
Serious side effects
- Major internal bleeding
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Brain bleeding
- Severe allergic reactions
- Spinal/epidural hematoma (rare)
When to seek medical attention
- Blood in urine or stool
- Vomiting blood
- Severe headache or neurological symptoms
- Falls or head injuries while taking the medication
- Uncontrolled bleeding
Prednisone
Common side effects
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Trouble sleeping
- Mood changes
- Fluid retention
- Acne
- Increased blood sugar
Serious side effects
- Increased infection risk
- High blood pressure
- Osteoporosis
- Cataracts and glaucoma
- Adrenal suppression
- Stomach ulcers
- Severe mood or psychiatric changes
When to seek medical attention
- Signs of infection
- Black stools
- Severe depression or behavioral changes
- Vision changes
Dexamethasone
Common side effects
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Insomnia
- Mood changes
- Fluid retention
Serious side effects
- Increased infection risk
- Osteoporosis
- High blood sugar
- Adrenal suppression
- Eye problems
Prilosec
Common side effects
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Gas
Serious side effects
- Kidney problems
- Low magnesium levels
- Severe diarrhea caused by infection
- Vitamin B12 deficiency with long-term use
- Increased risk of bone fractures with prolonged use
Pepcid
Common side effects
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Serious side effects
- Confusion (especially in older adults)
- Irregular heartbeat (rare)
- Severe allergic reactions
Tums
Common side effects
- Constipation
- Gas
- Stomach discomfort
Serious side effects
- High calcium levels from excessive use
- Kidney stones
- Kidney problems
Lisinopril (ACE inhibitor)
Common side effects
- Dry cough
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure
Serious side effects
- Swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema)
- High potassium levels
- Kidney problems or reduced kidney function
- Severe low blood pressure
Amlodipine (Calcium channel blocker)
Common side effects
- Swollen ankles or feet
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Heart palpitations
Serious side effects
- Severe low blood pressure
- Worsening chest pain (rare at start of treatment)
- Significant swelling or fluid retention
- Heart rhythm changes (rare)
Metoprolol (Beta blocker)
Common side effects
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Slow heart rate
- Cold hands or feet
- Shortness of breath (especially in sensitive individuals)
Serious side effects
- Very slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Severe low blood pressure
- Worsening heart failure symptoms
- Fainting
- Severe breathing problems (rare in people with asthma/COPD)
Hydrochlorothiazide (Water pill / diuretic)
Common side effects
- Increased urination
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Muscle cramps
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight
Serious side effects
- Severe dehydration
- Low potassium or sodium levels
- Irregular heartbeat (from electrolyte imbalance)
- Gout flare-ups
- Kidney problems
SOURCES:
Plavix (clopidogrel)
- FDA/DailyMed official label:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=clopidogrel - MedlinePlus (NIH consumer info):
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601040.html
Brilinta (ticagrelor)
- FDA/DailyMed official label:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=ticagrelor - MedlinePlus:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a611050.html
Eliquis (apixaban)
- FDA/DailyMed official label:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=apixaban - MedlinePlus:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a613032.html
Prednisone
- FDA/DailyMed official label:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=prednisone - MedlinePlus:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601102.html
Dexamethasone
- FDA/DailyMed official label:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=dexamethasone - MedlinePlus:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682792.html
Prilosec (omeprazole)
- FDA/DailyMed official label:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=omeprazole - MedlinePlus:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a693050.html
Pepcid (famotidine)
- FDA/DailyMed official label:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=famotidine - MedlinePlus:
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a687011.html
Tums (calcium carbonate)
Lisinopril (ACE inhibitor)
- MedlinePlus (NIH):
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692051.html - FDA/DailyMed:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=lisinopril
Amlodipine (Calcium channel blocker)
- MedlinePlus (NIH):
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a692044.html - FDA/DailyMed:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=amlodipine
Metoprolol (Beta blocker)
- MedlinePlus (NIH):
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682864.html - FDA/DailyMed:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=metoprolol
Hydrochlorothiazide (Diuretic / “water pill”)
- MedlinePlus (NIH):
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682571.html - FDA/DailyMed:
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?query=hydrochlorothiazide
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