8 Strange Side Effects of Prescription Drugs You Probably Didn’t Know About
This is a weird time in history. A former television star and billionaire is President of the United States, people are dancing outside of their vehicles to Drake (Kiki, Do You Love me?) and children’s songs (have you heard the Baby Shark song?) and on a more serious note – Americans are taking more pills than EVER in history.
While many of the medications and prescription drugs are life-saving or life-improving, others simply are not. In addition to being unnecessary, there are a wide array of side effects caused by these various medications.
While most people know the most common ones – nausea, headaches, skin irritation, etc. – there are a few more unusual side effects of prescription drugs you may have never heard of.
Intrigued?
If so, keep reading. Here we will cover some of the strangest side effects caused by modern prescription drugs.
1. Discolored Urine
Have you ever noticed, if you don’t drink enough water during the day, your urine may be a bit darker yellow than usual? This is pretty normal and nothing shocking, right?
However, what would happen if your urine turned purple, blue – or even black? There are certain diuretics and laxatives being prescribed that cause this exact side effect.
Don’t worry, it will pass, but chances are you will at least be surprised.
2. Hepatitis
When you are prescribed a medication for some type of disease or condition, the last thing you expect is for it to cause a more serious condition. However, there are some drugs, such as Xarelto that are actually causing hepatitis in some people.
While there isn’t much information on why this happens, that would be a pretty shocking outcome of taking a prescription medication right? Unfortunately, Xarelto is known for more serious side effects, too.
3. Vision Disturbances
A vision disturbance can be several things, including halos around lights, blurred vision, distorted vision and blind spots. Some medications that may cause this problem include ones taken for tuberculosis or malaria, some blood pressure meds and antihistamines.
A medication that can cause even weirder vision symptoms is Viagra, which is used for treating erectile dysfunction. It can tint your vision green or blue.
4. Hearing Loss
Have you ever taken an antibiotic for an infection, only to find you couldn’t hear shortly after? If so, don’t be alarmed.
Apparently, temporary hearing loss is a common side effect of some common antibiotics. While it may be a bit problematic, don’t panic. Just contact your doctor and they can let you know if you need to do anything.
5. Hair Growing in Weird Places
You are probably familiar with the hair loss that can occur with certain types of cancer treatment. However, what you may not realize is that there are other drugs that can cause this, too. Some of the most common include medications for treating gout, antidepressants, birth control pills and blood thinners.
What’s even more surprising, is that some medications can actually cause hair to grow in weird or unwanted locations. This may occur when you are taking steroid medications, or Danocrine, which is used for treating endometriosis.
6. Tendon Ruptures
Have you torn a tendon? If so, you may not think that taking a medication designed to treat urinary tract infections would cause you to reputation your Achilles tendon – but, it can.
In fact, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has actually issued a warning for fluoroquinolones, which is a class of antibiotics. According to this warning, swelling, pain and tendon tears in the hand, shoulder, and heel are more likely when these drugs are being taken.
Some of the most commonly prescribed medications in this class include Levaquin and Cipro.
7. Sexual Side Effects
While this may not be fun to hear, sexual side effects from medication include the inability to perform or to enjoy sex. This is most commonly caused by medications that are used for treating depression.
These types of medications are referred to as SSRIs – selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. They include things such as Zoloft, Celexa, and Prozac.
Another potential sexual related side effect of certain medications is called priapism. This is when a painful erection occurs that remains for over four hours. It is seen in men when they are taking Desyrel, another antidepressant.
8. Increased Weight
No one wants to gain weight, but what if this sudden increase in poundage was the result of the medication you were taking? Unfortunately, this is a reality for some.
There are some medications, such as Zyprexa that can cause you to gain 20 pounds (or more) in just three months. These medications are used for treating conditions such as depression and bipolar disorder but can really add unwanted weight.
With this in mind, it may make more sense for you to seek natural depression remedies. This may help you avoid the additional weight gain.
Some other drugs that may lead to an increase in your weight include hormone replacement therapies, certain diabetes medications, birth control pills and steroids.
Weird Side Effects of Prescription Drugs: Now You Know
As you can see, the side effects of prescription drugs can go beyond what is considered “normal” and common. If you are concerned about a weird side effect you are experiencing, it’s best to talk to your doctor.
If you are looking for more interesting information, such as tips to help you handle sudden wealth, be sure to check out our blog. You will always find something new and interesting to read.