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Beware 3 of the most dangerous medicines in the world – including one found in almost EVERY home
Plus, how to report side effects from medicines
THREE of the most dangerous medicines in the world have been revealed - and millions of Brits already use them.
A cold and flu remedy is among them, which a pharmacist has warned people should be wary of.
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Many people rely on medicines daily to manage long-term health conditions, treat immediate medical needs, and maintain their overall well-being.
But it's important to be aware that all medicines can cause unwanted side effects.
Taking medicines the wrong way or mixing certain drugs and supplements can raise your risk of side effects.
And according to pharmacist Ian Budd, certain medicines are considered more dangerous than others.
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The pharmacist for reveals...
Blood thinners
Budd said: "Some of the most dangerous medicines in the world include blood thinners like warfarin, which, if not carefully monitored, can lead to severe and potentially life-threatening bleeding."
Blood thinners, also known as anticoagulants, prevent blood clots from forming and are prescribed to people who have a higher risk of stroke or heart attack.
This includes people with an irregular heart rhythm, heart disease, those who have had a heart attack and stroke, and those with atrial fibrillation.
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But blood thinners can be dangerous if taken incorrectly, warned Budd.
Blood thinners can cause bleeding because they make it harder for your blood to clot.
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This can lead to minor bleeding like nosebleeds or bruising, or more serious bleeding into the brain or stomach.
It's common to experience some degree of bleeding while taking blood thinners - the NHS warns it's more likely to happen if you're unwell.
To prevent bleeding while taking blood thinners you should be careful when you do activities that might cause an injury or a cut or bruising.
The NHS suggests it might help to avoid things like contact sports (football, rugby), stop wet shaving and wear gloves if using sharp objects like knives or scissors.
If you experience significant or concerning bleeding, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Antidepressants
Antidepressants can be helpful for people with moderate or severe depression.
They're not usually recommended for mild depression, unless other treatments like talking therapy have not helped.
But in some cases antidepressants can be dangerous, particularly if they're taken in excess.
Budd said: "Certain antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSIRs), may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in some individuals, especially in young people."
According to , antidepressants may sometimes cause suicidal thoughts in individuals due to a potential phenomenon where the medication initially increases energy levels before mood fully improves, allowing someone with pre-existing suicidal ideation to potentially act on those thoughts with newfound energy.
This is especially concerning in younger patients where the risk of suicidal behaviour might be higher, although research on this topic is complex and not fully conclusive, with many studies indicating that antidepressants overall reduce suicide risk when used appropriately.
To ensure antidepressants are safe, it's crucial to always consult a doctor before taking them, follow their prescribed dosage, inform them about any other medications you're taking, never abruptly stop taking them without medical advice, and monitor for any concerning side effects.
If you experience any significant issues, contact your doctor immediately.
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Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
- Samaritans, , 116 123
- CALM (the leading movement against suicide in men) , 0800 585 858
- Papyrus (prevention of young suicide), 0800 068 41 41
- Shout (for support of all mental health) , text 85258 to start a conversation
Mind,, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, , gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, , is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
Decongestant nasal sprays
Budd says: "Even everyday medicines found in many households can pose dangers if misused.
"For example, overuse of decongestant nasal sprays can lead to rebound congestion, dependency, and even long-term damage to nasal tissues.
"The risks associated with these medicines often stem from their potential side effects, overdose dangers, and harmful interactions with other drugs."
Decongestant nasal sprays are commonly used to relieve nasal congestion.
They come with a warning in the small print - not to use them for more than a week, and to consult a doctor if symptoms don’t improve.
Rebound congestion is when the blood vessels in the nose become reliant on the drugs, causing them to swell even more once a person stops using the spray. In turn, it makes the stuffiness worse.
And very rare but serious side effects include posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) and reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS), according to the MHRA.
These are characterised by severe headaches, visual changes, confusion, and seizures, which require immediate medical attention if experienced.
Curtis Arnold-Harmer spoke to Sun Club about how overuse of decongestant nasal sprays cost him £2,400 and he ended up needing nose surgery.
There are hundreds of TikTok videos of similar experiences from people under the hashtags #nasalsprayaddict and #nosesprayaddict.
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How to stay safe when taking medicines
Most medications are safe when taken correctly, but they should always be used with caution, at the right dose, and under medical supervision.
Budd said: "It’s crucial to recognise that all medications come with some degree of risk, and healthcare professionals thoroughly assess the benefits and potential harm before prescribing them."
Certain groups, such as pregnant women, need to avoid specific drugs due to risks to the baby; for instance, some epilepsy treatments have been linked to birth defects.
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If you’re concerned about a medication’s risks, speak to your healthcare provider about safer alternatives.
For example, saline nasal sprays can relieve congestion without the risks linked to decongestants.
Side effects to medicines
ANY medicine, vaccine, herbal or complementary remedy can cause an unwanted side effect, commonly referred to as an adverse drug reaction (ADR) by healthcare professionals.
Many side effects are linked to the way the medicine works to treat a patient. For instance, medicines known as 'beta-blockers' treat high blood pressure by acting on particular sites in the muscles of blood vessels, causing the muscles to relax, and reducing blood pressure.
But it also acts on the same type of sites in the heart, which may cause an undesirable effect in some patients where the heart beat is slowed down.
Some side effects are not clearly linked to how the medicine works in the body so are more unpredictable.
Different patients may respond in different ways to the same medicine and so it's very difficult to predict whether a patient will experience any side effects.
Sometimes side effects can be delayed, happen after long term use or through interaction with certain foods or other medicines, on stopping a medicine, or as a result of a medication error, misuse or abuse.
Common side effects to medications include constipation, diarrhoea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, insomnia, nausea, rash, and sore stomach.
Serious adverse reactions include death, life-threatening conditions, inpatient hospitalisation, prolonged hospitalisation, persistent disability, birth defects, blood disorders, severe skin reactions, renal impairment, and jaundice.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) uses the Yellow Card Scheme to monitor and collect information on suspected side effects of medications.
Reports can be submitted directly to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme using the online form, by downloading a copy of the form from the Yellow Card website, using the Yellow Card app, or by freephone on 0800 731 6789.
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