One is a symptom of the other
Both illicit and legal substances can be harmful when abused. In the United States, for instance, accidental drug overdoses have caused more deaths than car accidents. Even when generally considered to be safe, all drugs can be fatal when taken too much or used inappropriately.
From well-known prescription medications to famous street drugs and combinations of both, many of the drugs in this gallery make the list of the most dangerous substances around. Want to know what they are? Click on for more.
Some branded names for this drug include Tylenol, Mapap, and FeverAll. Regularly used for pain relief, it's considered the most dangerous drug because it can potentially cause liver damage and toxicity.
It's the leading cause of acute liver failure in the US, where research has shown that about 450 deaths occur each year from acetaminophen-associated overdoses. Only 100 of these are unintentional.
Used to treat and prevent gout attacks as well as some other inflammatory conditions, colchicine is considered a high-risk medication due to its ability to cause significant toxicity and even death.
Colchicine has a small range between therapeutic and toxic doses, which means in some cases it can overlap and cause an overdose.
Also called "benzos," these antianxiety pills include Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin. Benzodiazepines are one of the most dangerous drugs due to their high prescription rate and increased risk of respiratory depression.
The risk of experiencing negative side effects is higher when combined with other drugs like opioids and alcohol. If addicted, quitting suddenly could cause seizures and even death.
From beer to wine and malt liquor, all alcohol is included here. Due to extensive health issues and injuries associated with it, excessive alcohol consumption is the third-leading preventable cause of death in the US.
Excessive alcohol use can cause cancer, liver damage, heart disease, and hypertension. Alcohol abuse also increases the risk of accidents, violence, and of taking one's own life.
Semi-synthetic opioids are generally used to treat moderate to severe pain. Unfortunately, they're highly addictive, with a great risk of misuse. This can often result in hypoxia, a condition when too little oxygen reaches the brain.
Usually combined with other drugs to increase intoxication, such as cocaine and alcohol, they can significantly raise the risk of an overdose.
Typically injected or snorted, heroin is an illicit opioid drug made from morphine. Dependency appears quickly, and withdrawal begins after around six to 12 hours.
Serious health complications include damaged tissue, infected heart lining, and collapsed veins. It's common for people who have abused prescription opioids to turn to heroin.
Antidepressant drugs are used to treat major depression and mood disorders. Some common ones include Prozac, Zoloft, and Wellbutrin. They're also prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and anxiety disorders.
Long-term use of antidepressants can cause adverse health effects and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. It should be noted that people taking antidepressants have a 33% higher risk of dying prematurely than those who don't take the drugs.
Cough medicines are used to relieve common colds, bronchitis, and other breathing illnesses. They make the "most dangerous drugs list" due to the high risk of abuse, which causes multiple adverse effects.
Its main ingredient, dextromethorphan (DXM), can cause intoxication, hallucinations, and dissociation. Overdose can occur when too much is taken, or when combined with other drugs. It can result in sedation and fatal respiratory depression.
Antihypertensives are types of drugs used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). However, these drugs have been linked to acute renal failure, prostate cancer, and cardiovascular issues.
Antihypertensives, combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or diuretics, amplify the chances of experiencing these health risks, which can be fatal.
A famous street drug, cocaine is known for its long-term health risks, including heart disease, hypertension, seizures, strokes, and organ failure.
Around 20% of overdose deaths that occurred in 2019 in the US were linked to cocaine. But quitting can lead to depression, therefore it's best to seek professional help.
Also known as Parlodel, bromocriptine is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, lack of menstrual periods, infertility, and hypogonadism.
However, the drug has some serious side effects that can occur when used inappropriately. Some of these include lethal circulatory collapse and systematic hypotension. The drug has also been associated with somnolence and sudden sleep.
Used to treat heart conditions like congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation (A-fib), digoxin has been linked to nausea, vomiting, and severe gastrointestinal issues.
The negative side effects are also likely to appear when the medication is mixed with the anti-arrhythmic agent quinidine. It can even result in overdose and death.
Anticoagulants include warfarin and heparin. They are used to prevent blood clots, but serious health conditions can occur, such as strokes, heart attacks, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolisms.
Also, when mixed with aspirin and other blood-thinning drugs, anticoagulants can provoke fatal internal or external bleeding.
Also known by the brand name Biaxin, clarithromycin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. However, it has been linked to an increased risk of fatal heart complications. Therefore, caution needs to be taken when prescribed.
Individuals are at a 27% increased risk for cardiovascular death if they took clarithromycin at some point in their lives. The risks are also increased when combined with calcium channel blockers.
An antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, clozapine can lower the risk of suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. However, it can also lead to negative cardiovascular effects, including myocarditis and cardiomyopathy.
The risk of these effects are increased when the drug is mixed with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol. It has also been linked with gastrointestinal hypomotility, which can lead to severe constipation and even death.
Sources: (Addiction Center) (Delamere)
See also: Facts about alcohol that will shock you
Did you know Tylenol is among the most dangerous drugs?
According to experts, these substances are the most unsafe
HEALTH Substance abuse
Many of us use paracetamol for common issues like headaches, toothaches, or to lower a fever. However, when taken improperly, it can lead to severe health risks, including liver failure. A US medical expert, Professor John Brems, has labeled one form of paracetamol, acetaminophen, as "America's most dangerous over-the-counter drug."
Both illicit and legal substances can be harmful when abused. In the United States, for instance, accidental drug overdoses have caused more deaths than car accidents. Even when generally considered to be safe, all drugs can be fatal when taken too much or used inappropriately.
From well-known prescription medications to famous street drugs and combinations of both, many of the drugs in this gallery make the list of the most dangerous substances around. Want to know what they are? Click on for more.