© Shutterstock

Acetaminophen -

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.

© Shutterstock

Acetaminophen -

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.

© Shutterstock

Colchicine -

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.

© Shutterstock

Colchicine -

Colchicine has a small range between therapeutic and toxic doses, which means in some cases it can overlap and cause an overdose.

© Shutterstock

Benzodiazepines -

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.

© Shutterstock

Benzodiazepines -

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.

© Shutterstock

Alcohol -

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.

© Shutterstock

Alcohol -

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.

© Shutterstock

Semi-synthetic opioids -

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.

© Shutterstock

Semi-synthetic opioids -

Usually combined with other drugs to increase intoxication, such as cocaine and alcohol, they can significantly raise the risk of an overdose.

© Shutterstock

Heroin -

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.

© Shutterstock

Heroin -

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.

© Shutterstock

Antidepressants -

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.

© Shutterstock

Antidepressants -

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.

© Shutterstock

Cough medicines -

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.

© Shutterstock

Cough medicines -

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.

© Shutterstock

Antihypertensives -

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.

© Shutterstock

Antihypertensives -

Antihypertensives, combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or diuretics, amplify the chances of experiencing these health risks, which can be fatal.

© Shutterstock

Cocaine -

A famous street drug, cocaine is known for its long-term health risks, including heart disease, hypertension, seizures, strokes, and organ failure.

© Shutterstock

Cocaine -

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.

© Shutterstock

Bromocriptine -

Also known as Parlodel, bromocriptine is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, lack of menstrual periods, infertility, and hypogonadism.

© Shutterstock

Bromocriptine -

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.

© Shutterstock

Digoxin -

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.

© Shutterstock

Digoxin -

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.

© Shutterstock

Anticoagulants -

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.

© Shutterstock

Anticoagulants -

Also, when mixed with aspirin and other blood-thinning drugs, anticoagulants can provoke fatal internal or external bleeding.

© Shutterstock

Clarithromycin -

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.

© Shutterstock

Clarithromycin -

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.

© Shutterstock

Clozapine -

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.

© Shutterstock

Clozapine -

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

© Shutterstock