most controversial medications

Acetaminophen -- has become the leading cause of liver failure.

Thalidomide - been out of general use for years because of serious birth defects, but some time in the last few years it was being suggested for treatment for some condition (my brain is on hold at the minute, anyone remember what for?) and there was controversy because of the history.

I'm confused. What is wrong with heparin?

Edit. I'm not awake yet. I remember now. But Rhogam? It's a really good drug...

What interests me are the high media exposure meds that patients worry about, like oxycodone or zetia.

Thalidomide is still being used in some countries as a treatment for leprosy (Hansen's Disease). At one time, it was tried in the USA as a treatment for AIDS--this was prior to the development of the retroviral drugs.

As a whole, I'd say steroids (catabolic) are a double edged sword. The drugs do a lot of good, but the side effects sometimes cause just as many problems as the original disease/disorder. I've had little to no experience with anabolics, so I can't comment on those.

Accutane the acne medicine. Some dermatologists don't prescribe it anymore.

Thalidomide - been out of general use for years because of serious birth defects, but some time in the last few years it was being suggested for treatment for some condition (my brain is on hold at the minute, anyone remember what for?) and there was controversy because of the history.

As far as I know it was always still approved and used for skin conditions and multiple myeloma inspite the controversy.

Seroquel. A lot of side effects r/t metabolic syndrome, severe weight gain, etc (and a lot of those psych drugs). Seems like with psych drugs, there is a real balancing act between helping the patient psychologically and hurting them with the physical side effects. Like, what are those ones that cause tardive dyskinesia (sorry I'm sleepy this morning)?

- medical Marijuana...cannabanoids in general, actually

- Fen/Phen...I think it was called that, it was for weight loss & prescribed a great deal in the mid-90's

- Lyrica b/c it's a controversy as to wheter fibromyalgia exists

- ADHD meds b/c they may be "over-prescribed"

- Zelnorm was taken off the market (not sure if it's "controversial")

- vaccines d/t link to autism

Phenergan IVP

Demerol IVP

Thalidomide - been out of general use for years because of serious birth defects, but some time in the last few years it was being suggested for treatment for some condition (my brain is on hold at the minute, anyone remember what for?) and there was controversy because of the history.

I know it is used for a rare condition called pemphigus vulgaris, which is a nasty condition that involves blistering of the inside of the mouth and can be hard to treat; even so, it's a treatment of last resort.