Pharmacist reveals the common medications they’d never take
A pharmacist has revealed the common medications that they would never take unless absolutely necessary.
These days, there are pills and medications for just about every ailment, but some have more side effects and withdrawal symptoms than others.
Pharmacist of 30 years, Deborah Grayson has issued a warning to Brits, claiming that the UK is experiencing an 'epidemic of long-term prescribing without review'.
"Every drug carries risks - side effects, dependence, withdrawal - but patients and doctors often accept these quietly, without challenge," she told the Daily Mail.
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"This blind reliance on medication is a ticking time bomb for public health."
Grayson has issued a warning about seven common medications, and the advice she would give instead.
Opiate painkillers
Grayson has warned against using opiate painkillers like codeine, or prescription pills like tramadol.
This is mainly down to the problems associated with withdrawing from the medication, which can have a range of side effects, including sweating, anxiety, insomnia, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Grayson warns that tramadol, in particular, is one of the hardest opiates to withdraw from using.
Long-term opiate use in the UK is common, with NHS stats from 2021 revealing over one million people in England were prescribed opioids for longer than three months.
Statins
Statins are a group of meds that help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood.
Having high levels of LDL can lead to narrowing of the arteries and cardiovascular disease.
According to NICE, around 5.3 million people in England were given a statin by their doctor to help reduce cholesterol between 2023 to 2024.
However, the consequences of taking statins can in some cases be significant. For example, there is a link to type 2 diabetes.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain: "Some research has found that using statins increases blood sugar because statins can stop your body's insulin from working well. This can put people who use statins at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes."
Rarely, statins can cause a life-threatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to liver damage, kidney failure and can sometimes be fatal.
Anti-depressants
Grayson explains that while anti-depressants are hugely valuable in treating a range of different mental health conditions, patients are often not warned about the side effects and the withdrawal process.
"It is widely acknowledged that for mild to moderate depression, talking therapies including CBT can be very effective in supporting the problem. Unfortunately services on the NHS are stretched to breaking point and a prescription is the easy option," she told the Daily Mail.
"Side effects of antidepressants include nausea, headaches, sleep problems with longer term risks of weight gain, diabetes and gastric bleeds.
"SSRIs including sertraline, fluoxetine and citalopram and the SNRI venlafaxine can be the worst for causing gastric bleeds."
Gabapentin and pregabalin
Gabapentin and pregabalin are used to treat neuropathic conditions, such as fibromyalgia.
However, Grayson warned that the side effects can be severe, including drowsiness, balance issues, concentration problems and issues with memory.
Withdrawing from the drugs can often be challenging, and experts warn that it must be done carefully and under medical supervision.
Steroid creams
Steroid creams are a popular option for those suffering with a range of skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.
However, there are long-term risks associated with steroid use, one being topical steroid withdrawal, which can occur when treatment stops.
Grayson explained: "Steroids are often used for much longer periods than is recommended, as patients have them prescribed with little to no follow-up.
"Long-term risks of steroid cream use include thinning and drying of the skin, making it more prone to infections. One of the most distressing consequences is topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), a condition that occurs when patients reduce or stop steroids."
Symptoms can include redness, burning, itching and pain.
Meanwhile, the condition can lead to a vicious cycle of patients feeling the need to restart steroid treatment to ease symptoms, which prolongs the use.
According to WebMD, the risk of TSW can be reduced by not using topical steroids as frequently and by reducing their strength.
PPIs
PPIs - or proton pump inhibitors - like omeprazole and lansoprazole - are commonly prescribed for heartburn and acid reflux.
They work by by blocking an enzyme responsible for producing acid in the stomach.
However, Grayson has warned against prolonged use of PPIs, explaining it 'can cause deficiencies in vital nutrients such as vitamin B12 and magnesium'.
She added: "These shortages may trigger anaemia, memory loss, seizures and muscle spasms. Long-term use has also been linked to increased risks of some cancers, dementia, heart disease and osteoporosis."
Grayson warns that while weaning off PPIs, managing stress and diet is essential.
Laxatives
Grayson explains that while short-term use of laxatives can be effective, long-term use should be avoided.
"While stimulant laxatives are very effective and can work within hours, long-term use can make the bowel lazy and mean that you cannot open your bowels, meaning sufferers may become dependent and unable to go without them," she said.
Instead, constipation can be managed by eating more fibre and drinking more fluids. Grayson also recommends products such as Fybogel or Macragol as an alternative.
Lucy Devine