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8 Worrying Drug Side Effects

FDA-approved medications pass clinical trials, but the real world uncovers more

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 7, 2008 7:14 PM CST
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(Newser) – Despite rigorous testing, some drugs have side effects that only rear their ugly heads when introduced to the general population. Forbes catalogs some of the weirdest:

  1. Anti-smoking drug Chantix can cause insomnia and nightmares.
  2. Diet drug Alli can have unforeseen gastrointestinal side-effects; these can be counteracted by eating a low-fat diet, of all things.
  3. Mirapex, prescribed for Parkinson's and restless-leg-syndrome patients, can lead to compulsive-eating and gambling urges.

  1. Who can forget Ambien, the sleeping aid shown to cause sleep-walking and -driving?
  2. Cholesterol drug Zolcor can pose serious health risks if combined with ... grapefruit?
  3. Vasotec, used to combat high blood pressure, can also stunt your sense of taste.
  4. Antihistamine Allegra may clear up your nose, but it can also give you a backache, and a headache and a cold.
  5. Anti-malaria drug Lariam can cause nightmares, hallucinations, and paranoia.

GlaxoSmithKline's alli, the first over-the-counter diet pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
GlaxoSmithKline's alli, the first over-the-counter diet pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)   (Associated Press)
A selection of prescription drugs, including Allegra, Zyprexa, Levitra, Cialis and Lipitor are shown. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
A selection of prescription drugs, including Allegra, Zyprexa, Levitra, Cialis and Lipitor are shown. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)   (Associated Press)
Gambling tables are set inside the casino during the opening ceremony of the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in Macau Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Side effects of some approved medications include strong urges to gamble. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Gambling tables are set inside the casino during the opening ceremony of the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in Macau Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007. Side effects of some approved medications include strong urges...   (Associated Press)
Fast food french fries are photographed in Southfield, Mich., in this Feb. 4, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, file)
Fast food french fries are photographed in Southfield, Mich., in this Feb. 4, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, file)   (Associated Press)
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Zyprexa side-effect scandal
Associated Press

Lariam and its nasty side effects, in depth
CBS News

 
FDA • drug safety • list • blood pressure • drug trials • side effects • Ambien • Zolcor • Vasotec • Allegra • Lariam • Chantix • Alli • Mirapex

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