Thread: Misconceptions about Medications

It seems that I've heard a lot of misconceptions about medicine lately- from adults that probably started in their minds as children but were never really covered. So folks keep assuming they are true.
Some are promoted in movies or popular culture- or people just "heard it somewhere."

I figured I'd format it F.A.Q. style and throw it on here to see whether it gets any Google hits once the spider crawls all over it.

Medicine is targeted or knows where to go in the body.

No, it doesn't know where to go. Medicine is simply delivered into the container we live in, whether by a needle or digested as a pill. When anything is delivered into the body, it is carried throughout the body by the bloodstream. So when you eat, that gets broken down into tiny pieces and transferred to your bloodstream and bangs around carried all over the place until it sticks to something. When you inhale from an inhaler, it gets into the blood directly- the same way oxygen does (There's another thread on inhalants on here). Needle- obvious. So when you have a headache and take an aspirin, you're putting into your whole body- it doesn't Go to your brain. Medications are not sperms. It doesn't swim toward the headache.

Medications are designed to be safe.

Medications are not so much designed as they are utilized. Any medication is a chemical structure or compound that has been demonstrated to have a chemical reaction within the body. Our brains interpret the effects of these reactions as sensations or feelings, sometimes. These interpretations are very basic since we, ourselves, were not designed and the interpretations- such as feeling nauseous, helped to aid survival but were not built in some way as diagnostic machines.
These chemical structures that have shown to be effective in reacting a certain way to alleviate brain interpretations or symptoms are not exclusive to just those symptoms- they can react with any other 'chemically compatible' structure or compound within the body and this is why we have side effects and counter-indications. This is why some medications must be prescribed - because they are not safe for the body- but for use during only a limited time, they can alleviate a worse or more immediate threat and your body will recover from the toxic effects of the medication.

It's perfectly fine to take medications whenever you think you need them.

Which is why I throw this out there to readers, lurkers or whoever- Self Medicating is commonly related to misconceptions about medications.
An example would be Ibuprofen. Most of us have used it at one time or another and all it ever did was make pain less... Maybe for some it gave them a slightly sour stomach.
But ONE ibuprofen can kill a cat. It causes renal failure.
Self medicating can be very dangers- for people, as well. Because it and Acetaminophen or Tylenol have the same effect on humans.
Renal failure. We're bigger than cats so it just takes a lot more of it.
Which, is nonsense to try to give a cat pain reliever anyway... cats don't respond to pain the same way we do. If a cat is panting or showing signs of pain, something is probably very wrong and you should take your cat to the vet immediately. Cats also don't respond to pain medications much- which is why pain management should be left only to the vet.
Self medicating is a great way to mess up the chemical composition of your body. And since medication does not target the problem, you're putting it into your kidneys, spleen, liver, and everything else. Some can shut these organs down.

Got the flu or a cold? You need anti-biotics.

You can't blame people for this one since a lot of doctors prescribed anti-biotics for flu sufferers- to prevent secondary bacterial infections from opportunistically taking root in a weakened throat or lungs. But anti-biotics have no effect whatsoever on a virus.
Additionally, the misuse of them can cause a worse infection because stopping the intake too early kills off the weakest of the bacterial strain first, leaving the more resistant strains alive to take over.

What about "Natural" medication?

There is no such thing as "unnatural" medication...

Over the counter drugs are cheaper than prescription medication and safer.

Prices vary no matter whether it's over the counter or prescribed. But buying over the counter gives a false sense of security that it's somehow safer than more tightly controlled drugs. Counter indications, interactions and wrong dosage can cause harm or even death. Over the counter drugs are aimed more at Alleviating Symptoms than they are 'fixing the cause' of the symptoms. This can mislead many people into thinking they are being treated for an ailment, without the expense of going to the doctor, when they are not being treated at all. They are only making ignoring the warning signs of some illnesses easier to handle.
It also allows people to think that if they bought it over the counter, that automatically makes it safe to 'prescribe' it out to other people such as friends, family or co-workers. This can be disastrous if that person is on a prescription medication that has a bad reaction to that particular over the counter drug.


Please add your own or correct any mistakes I've made.

Originally Posted by Neverfly

Medicine is targeted or knows where to go in the body.

This is true for topical medications and very specific ingested/injected drugs (such as some drugs targeted for liver disease; the drugs as injected are inactive until they are broken down by the liver, where they become active.) However for the majority of pills this is not true as you mention - they just diffuse throughout the body.

Medications are designed to be safe.

They ARE designed to be safe, and are tested to try to ensure they are. Unfortunately testing doesn't catch all possible interactions/hazards thus there are no guarantees that they are safe or that they will not have unexpected side effects.

It's perfectly fine to take medications whenever you think you need them.

Agreed that it is not perfectly fine to take anything whenever you feel like it. However, many drugs are prescribed for use as needed (for nausea, headache, insomnia, impotence etc) and in those cases it is OK to take them when you think you need them. Indeed it is essential that you do NOT take these drugs when you think you don't need them; that can build dependency on the drug over time.

Also, many OTC are indicated for specific uses (headache, congestion) and it's OK to use them for their specific purposes if you think you need it. There are very few OTC drugs that will cause problems if you use them when you don't need them for the specific issue (for example, taking a decongestant when you don't need it.) As always it's important to heed the warnings and contraindications that come with the drug.

As a note on the answer - it is NEVER OK to give a drug meant for one species to another species without the advice of a doctor or vet. Metabolisms vary widely between animals, and even so-called natural substances (caffeine, chocolate, hops) can kill dogs, for example.

Got the flu or a cold? You need anti-biotics.

As an additional note here, the US now leads the world in MRSA and VRE noscominal infections in hospitals due to overuse of antibiotics.

What about "Natural" medication?

Natural medications (i.e. root of X, flower of Y) sound like they might be better for you, as compared to synthetic medications (synthroid for example.) However both can be dangerous when taken incorrectly. The term "natural" just indicates where it comes from, not how safe it is.

Over the counter drugs are cheaper than prescription medication and safer.

In GENERAL they are. OTC drugs are sold without prescriptions because they are harder to abuse, are less likely to kill you if you take the wrong dosage, do not need constant monitoring, do not have effects that lead to addiction and/or do not form dependencies rapidly. However, again there are no guarantees. You can seriously damage your liver just by taking acetaminophen (over the counter pain reliever) and drinking alcohol, for example.

Fortunately drug labeling laws are such that most known drug interactions and contraindications are listed on the package or inside the container. This can be a case where going to an actual drugstore can be very helpful; pharmacists are trained to recognize potentially dangerous drug interactions even between OTC and prescription drugs.

Originally Posted by billvon

Originally Posted by Neverfly

Medications are designed to be safe.

They ARE designed to be safe, and are tested to try to ensure they are. Unfortunately testing doesn't catch all possible interactions/hazards thus there are no guarantees that they are safe or that they will not have unexpected side effects.

We disagree on wording.

They are designed to be effective. Once efficacy is documented, they test them and compare them with known interactions to ensure that they are generally safe- but there is no drug that is safe. There is no drug that won't interact with anything other than the thing it's intended to treat.
It's a bit like a firearm- don't assume it is safe and you can point it at someone. Assume it is loaded.

Originally Posted by billvon

Also, many OTC are indicated for specific uses (headache, congestion) and it's OK to use them for their specific purposes if you think you need it. There are very few OTC drugs that will cause problems if you use them when you don't need them for the specific issue (for example, taking a decongestant when you don't need it.) As always it's important to heed the warnings and contraindications that come with the drug.

About 50,000 to 60,000 E.R. admissions per year are people going into renal failure from Acetaminophen- Tylenol.

Originally Posted by billvon

Fortunately drug labeling laws are such that most known drug interactions and contraindications are listed on the package or inside the container. This can be a case where going to an actual drugstore can be very helpful; pharmacists are trained to recognize potentially dangerous drug interactions even between OTC and prescription drugs.

I disagree here, as well. Labeling includes many known but that is also a bit of a false sense of security- they only list majorly prescribed medication interactions- a lot of medications can be left off the list.
And pharmacists are trained in pharmacy but they are not made to memorize vast amounts of drug interactions. With experience, they will memorize some.
But for the most part, pharmacists need to also check the literature to know whether an interaction is to be expected or avoided.

Definitely 2 3 good posts from Neverfly and billvon.

But more importantly...

Originally Posted by billvon

noscominal infections in hospitals due to overuse of antibiotics.

I learnt a new word!
I now know that you could have simply said "noscominal infections due to overuse of antibiotics."

Thanks billvon.

Originally Posted by Neverfly

They are designed to be effective. Once efficacy is documented, they test them and compare them with known interactions to ensure that they are generally safe

OK. I agree with you that they are designed to be effective and generally safe.

but there is no drug that is safe. There is no drug that won't interact with anything other than the thing it's intended to treat.

Agreed that there is no drug that is always safe for everyone under all conditions.

About 50,000 to 60,000 E.R. admissions per year are people going into renal failure from Acetaminophen- Tylenol.

Yep. As always it is important to heed the warnings and contraindications that come with the drug.

Originally Posted by billvon

I disagree here, as well. Labeling includes many known but that is also a bit of a false sense of security- they only list majorly prescribed medication interactions- a lot of medications can be left off the list.

They list common medications AND medications that they have tested for - and they generally do a fairly good job of knowing what is going to be a problem with what. For example, a new beta blocker will be tested against common medications plus specialty cardiac medications, since beta blockers are often used for cardiac patients. However, it's always possible that they might miss a combination that might be harmful.

Originally Posted by Neverfly

They are designed to be effective.

I disagree with all both of you! They are designed to make money! joc

I rarely take meds that I can't avoid.

Makes it really easy

I don't care. I only care about what I have to take

and I have found people who read all of the side effects religiously usually have one.....don't read that shit..it if happens you will then refer back to that....mental suggestion retention is amazine

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Neverfly

They are designed to be effective.

I disagree with all both of you! They are designed to make money! joc

Generally OTC drugs have stood the test of time when it comes to the number of people that have bad reactions to it. True they can be pretty good money to be made, but competition gets real stiff in the OTC drug market and that keeps prices reasonable for the most part.

When you go to the drug store to buy a pain reliever and Naproxen is your choice. A major brand Aleve is a good choice until you compare it with another brand like Kirkland (A Costco Brand) which offers twice as many pills at about half the cost of Aleve. Some people might argue that Aleve works better (maybe paying more for it produces a placebo effect). I don't really know, but I really like twice as much at about half the cost to worry much about it.

With all OTC drugs do your price comparisons online first, then buy from the store or online and save yourself some money.

My doctor just this week stated he would send thje pharmacy a prescription for Meclizine for my vertigo (dizziness; no one here could have GUESSED that, eh?). I stopped him as he typed, asking him is Meclizine not OTC? He said, yes, he had forgotten, and would instead prescribe __________, I missed the name. Picked up prescription, it was for, guess what? Meclizine, at twice the cost to me as the OTC brew.

Does this sort of thing predominate? I seek medical help as little as possible. jocular

Originally Posted by jocular

My doctor just this week stated he would send the pharmacy a prescription for Meclizine for my vertigo (dizziness; no one here could have GUESSED that, eh?). I stopped him as he typed, asking him is Meclizine not OTC? He said, yes, he had forgotten, and would instead prescribe __________, I missed the name. Picked up prescription, it was for, guess what? Meclizine, at twice the cost to me as the OTC brew.

Does this sort of thing predominate? I seek medical help as little as possible. jocular

On the other hand maybe you have medical insurance that covers prescriptions, in which case it might have been cheaper than buying OTC. Whenever a doctor tells me it's OTC I might still ask for a prescription if I know it will cost me less.

Drugs are not designed to be safe. However, they are very thoroughly tested to see how dangerous they are. The most dangerous are used only on the most serious illnesses, like chemotherapy, which can easily kill in overdose, on cancer. The "safety" comes not from the drug so much as knowing how to use it.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Neverfly

They are designed to be effective.

I disagree with all both of you! They are designed to make money! joc

Generally OTC drugs have stood the test of time when it comes to the number of people that have bad reactions to it. True they can be pretty good money to be made, but competition gets real stiff in the OTC drug market and that keeps prices reasonable for the most part.

When you go to the drug store to buy a pain reliever and Naproxen is your choice. A major brand Aleve is a good choice until you compare it with another brand like Kirkland (A Costco Brand) which offers twice as many pills at about half the cost of Aleve. Some people might argue that Aleve works better (maybe paying more for it produces a placebo effect). I don't really know, but I really like twice as much at about half the cost to worry much about it.

With all OTC drugs do your price comparisons online first, then buy from the store or online and save yourself some money.

What about Viagra? (tongue in cheek)

Originally Posted by jocular

My doctor just this week stated he would send thje pharmacy a prescription for Meclizine for my vertigo (dizziness; no one here could have GUESSED that, eh?). I stopped him as he typed, asking him is Meclizine not OTC? He said, yes, he had forgotten, and would instead prescribe __________, I missed the name. Picked up prescription, it was for, guess what? Meclizine, at twice the cost to me as the OTC brew.

Does this sort of thing predominate? I seek medical help as little as possible. jocular

Was the mg dosage the very same?

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Neverfly

They are designed to be effective.

I disagree with all both of you! They are designed to make money! joc

Generally OTC drugs have stood the test of time when it comes to the number of people that have bad reactions to it. True they can be pretty good money to be made, but competition gets real stiff in the OTC drug market and that keeps prices reasonable for the most part.

When you go to the drug store to buy a pain reliever and Naproxen is your choice. A major brand Aleve is a good choice until you compare it with another brand like Kirkland (A Costco Brand) which offers twice as many pills at about half the cost of Aleve. Some people might argue that Aleve works better (maybe paying more for it produces a placebo effect). I don't really know, but I really like twice as much at about half the cost to worry much about it.

With all OTC drugs do your price comparisons online first, then buy from the store or online and save yourself some money.

What about Viagra? (tongue in cheek)

India makes and sells the cheapest Viagra you can order without prescription. Also, in many cases it's cheaper than your insurance covered prescriptions. Just saying if you know how to search the Internet you can do quite well in getting good deals.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Neverfly

They are designed to be effective.

I disagree with all both of you! They are designed to make money! joc

Generally OTC drugs have stood the test of time when it comes to the number of people that have bad reactions to it. True they can be pretty good money to be made, but competition gets real stiff in the OTC drug market and that keeps prices reasonable for the most part.

When you go to the drug store to buy a pain reliever and Naproxen is your choice. A major brand Aleve is a good choice until you compare it with another brand like Kirkland (A Costco Brand) which offers twice as many pills at about half the cost of Aleve. Some people might argue that Aleve works better (maybe paying more for it produces a placebo effect). I don't really know, but I really like twice as much at about half the cost to worry much about it.

With all OTC drugs do your price comparisons online first, then buy from the store or online and save yourself some money.

What about Viagra? (tongue in cheek)

India makes and sells the cheapest Viagra you can order without prescription. Also, in many cases it's cheaper than your insurance covered prescriptions. Just saying if you know how to search the Internet you can do quite well in getting good deals.

*chuckle*.....well I AM female! *L* *looking down, YEP, the plumbing is all there!!

Thanks though, for the information!

Originally Posted by Neverfly

Because it and Acetaminophen or Tylenol have the same effect on humans.
Renal failure.

I'm going to have to disagree here somewhat. while Acetaminophen can lead to renal failure in some cases, it's more likely to cause liver damage. It is actually easier on the kidneys than Ibuprofen, and is preferred for kidney patients for this reason.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Neverfly

They are designed to be effective.

I disagree with all both of you! They are designed to make money! joc

Generally OTC drugs have stood the test of time when it comes to the number of people that have bad reactions to it. True they can be pretty good money to be made, but competition gets real stiff in the OTC drug market and that keeps prices reasonable for the most part.

When you go to the drug store to buy a pain reliever and Naproxen is your choice. A major brand Aleve is a good choice until you compare it with another brand like Kirkland (A Costco Brand) which offers twice as many pills at about half the cost of Aleve. Some people might argue that Aleve works better (maybe paying more for it produces a placebo effect). I don't really know, but I really like twice as much at about half the cost to worry much about it.

With all OTC drugs do your price comparisons online first, then buy from the store or online and save yourself some money.

What about Viagra? (tongue in cheek)

India makes and sells the cheapest Viagra you can order without prescription. Also, in many cases it's cheaper than your insurance covered prescriptions. Just saying if you know how to search the Internet you can do quite well in getting good deals.

Are you referring to the low budget Bollywood films that often feature physically attractive women?

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by jocular

My doctor just this week stated he would send thje pharmacy a prescription for Meclizine for my vertigo (dizziness; no one here could have GUESSED that, eh?). I stopped him as he typed, asking him is Meclizine not OTC? He said, yes, he had forgotten, and would instead prescribe __________, I missed the name. Picked up prescription, it was for, guess what? Meclizine, at twice the cost to me as the OTC brew.

Does this sort of thing predominate? I seek medical help as little as possible. jocular

Was the mg dosage the very same?

Yes. joc

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

India makes and sells the cheapest Viagra you can order without prescription. Also, in many cases it's cheaper than your insurance covered prescriptions. Just saying if you know how to search the Internet you can do quite well in getting good deals.

It has been inferred repeatedly that the purchase of medications thusly exposes the buyer/user to much higher risk of faulty/phony drugs. I've questioned that contention, ever since I found that, crossing the border to Mexico (we did this in Algodones, west of Yuma), I could by my B.P. medication for 6 cents a dose vs. way over a dollar here via prescription. The clincher was the stuff sold down there was packaged in the factory-sealed containers with all the factory markings: Made in New Jersey!

Obviously, buying drugs "on the street", however, could get you poisoned! jocular

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

India makes and sells the cheapest Viagra you can order without prescription. Also, in many cases it's cheaper than your insurance covered prescriptions. Just saying if you know how to search the Internet you can do quite well in getting good deals.

It has been inferred repeatedly that the purchase of medications thusly exposes the buyer/user to much higher risk of faulty/phony drugs. I've questioned that contention, ever since I found that, crossing the border to Mexico (we did this in Algodones, west of Yuma), I could by my B.P. medication for 6 cents a dose vs. way over a dollar here via prescription. The clincher was the stuff sold down there was packaged in the factory-sealed containers with all the factory markings: Made in New Jersey!

Obviously, buying drugs "on the street", however, could get you poisoned! jocular

True, India has has very good pharmaceutical companies and I know the Viagra is just as good as made in the US, because I've tried them both.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

True, India has has very good pharmaceutical companies and I know the Viagra is just as good as made in the US, because I've tried them both.

I have heard that a major portion of all the big drug companies in fact obtain most of their product for re-sale, made in India.

I carefully reviewed the major three E.D. helpers and believe that both Levitra and Viagra have associated negative aspects not shared by Cialis. Any of them may be found being sold clandestinely for as high as $40 or more PER TABLET! Before considering such ridiculous cost, I believe I would have a quick tryst with the closest doorknob! joc

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

True, India has has very good pharmaceutical companies and I know the Viagra is just as good as made in the US, because I've tried them both.

I have heard that a major portion of all the big drug companies in fact obtain most of their product for re-sale, made in India.

I carefully reviewed the major three E.D. helpers and believe that both Levitra and Viagra have associated negative aspects not shared by Cialis. Any of them may be found being sold clandestinely for as high as $40 or more PER TABLET! Before considering such ridiculous cost, I believe I would have a quick tryst with the closest doorknob! joc

The larger your order the better the price was. So if you and a friend or two combine an order you can get the price down to about a $1 per pill (Viagra). That same good price didn't seem to extend to Cialis or Levitra, never figured out why that was. But of the 3 three I liked Levitra the best. And no I won't say why that is. But all that was 5 or 6 years ago and I don't really need it and don't spend the money on it any more.

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by jocular

My doctor just this week stated he would send thje pharmacy a prescription for Meclizine for my vertigo (dizziness; no one here could have GUESSED that, eh?). I stopped him as he typed, asking him is Meclizine not OTC? He said, yes, he had forgotten, and would instead prescribe __________, I missed the name. Picked up prescription, it was for, guess what? Meclizine, at twice the cost to me as the OTC brew.

Does this sort of thing predominate? I seek medical help as little as possible. jocular

Was the mg dosage the very same?

Yes. joc

Then unless your insurance pays for the drug, I'd buy it over the counter!

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

True, India has has very good pharmaceutical companies and I know the Viagra is just as good as made in the US, because I've tried them both.

I have heard that a major portion of all the big drug companies in fact obtain most of their product for re-sale, made in India.

I carefully reviewed the major three E.D. helpers and believe that both Levitra and Viagra have associated negative aspects not shared by Cialis. Any of them may be found being sold clandestinely for as high as $40 or more PER TABLET! Before considering such ridiculous cost, I believe I would have a quick tryst with the closest doorknob! joc

Ten were 287.00

I called the insurance company and said. "Are you telling me I can only have sex 10 times a MONTH? Sheesh what else do you want to regulate!!"

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

True, India has has very good pharmaceutical companies and I know the Viagra is just as good as made in the US, because I've tried them both.

I have heard that a major portion of all the big drug companies in fact obtain most of their product for re-sale, made in India.

I carefully reviewed the major three E.D. helpers and believe that both Levitra and Viagra have associated negative aspects not shared by Cialis. Any of them may be found being sold clandestinely for as high as $40 or more PER TABLET! Before considering such ridiculous cost, I believe I would have a quick tryst with the closest doorknob! joc

Ten were 287.00

I called the insurance company and said. "Are you telling me I can only have sex 10 times a MONTH? Sheesh what else do you want to regulate!!"

Lucky you, when I asked my doctor they were only allowing 6 pills per month, and they were still about $5 apiece with the insurance.

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

Originally Posted by babe

Originally Posted by jocular

Originally Posted by Bad Robot

True, India has has very good pharmaceutical companies and I know the Viagra is just as good as made in the US, because I've tried them both.

I have heard that a major portion of all the big drug companies in fact obtain most of their product for re-sale, made in India.

I carefully reviewed the major three E.D. helpers and believe that both Levitra and Viagra have associated negative aspects not shared by Cialis. Any of them may be found being sold clandestinely for as high as $40 or more PER TABLET! Before considering such ridiculous cost, I believe I would have a quick tryst with the closest doorknob! joc

Ten were 287.00

I called the insurance company and said. "Are you telling me I can only have sex 10 times a MONTH? Sheesh what else do you want to regulate!!"

Lucky you, when I asked my doctor they were only allowing 6 pills per month, and they were still about $5 apiece with the insurance.

He cut them in half....that gave us 20 days of hot monkey sex a month and they still works....hey you could have 12!!!!! *L*

Actually he is beginning to function again......damn prostrate cancer ...

I was rather blunt. "Honey, it has been 11 months, either you get some Viagra, or I am getting two 40 year olds."

He got the Viagra.