Yes it’s defiantly part of it. I think I have probably taken many meds that could have caused me long term damage, but I didn’t have the internet at my fingers tips to research every pill before I took it .... like I do now.

Even the most studied medications on the planet will have some kind of side effects to some people even if it’s a low low chance , someone has to get them since it showed in human trials.

My mom ?? Perfectly good health no mental issues at all. She over did things one day moving heavy things around her house one day. I said an Advil would help being an anti inflammatory she had never taken one, I gave her 2 , she only took one when we had dinner , about 30 mins later she’s fiddling with the ac control , kept punching it with her fingers and getting angry, I went over and asked her what she was doing she said the phone won’t work , I was like what?!!! I went and handed her the phone , she had no idea what it was... Boom I’m hustling her in the car convinced she was having an atypical stroke as her face and smile was fine , no one side weakness. Get to the ER they immediately do a CT scan and ruled out stroke. She checked out fine physically but answered questions very strange. I had told the Dr about her taking just 1 Advil for the first time. About 4/5 hours later she started making sense.

The Doctor came around again to check her and he did feel that she was one of the people that had a very rare side effect. So she never took another one. Altho that didn’t seem have any long term effects it was an oddball reaction.

Most every drug now has a mile long list of possible side effects up to and including death. Im always on the lookout about psych meds as that can cause tremors or TD that could be life long problems

I’m unable to take an Sulfa antibiotics or meds as I will be violently vomiting in less than 30 mins. I ask my doctor specifically about any new psych Med, he’s good about giving a good amount of info and possible side effects. I still come home and research it before I pick it up at the pharmacy.

As for my decision to take a biologic for my psoriasis and PsA ? I had tried all the oral meds. None help It was still causing more and more damage to occur to my joints. So I had a long serious talk with my rheumatologist and he recommended Enbrel , I had already looked it up but did more research and felt for me the risk was worth taking as I need to walk and use my hands. I didn’t have a single side effect 1.5 years later it just quit working no rhyme or reason so I went on to Humira again long discussion and I went home and researched, I just took shot # 6 and I’ve had no side effects.

Any chemical we injest has the possibility to cause a side effect temporarily or long term. It’s just part of making an informed decision.

They just yanked Zantac off the market, it’s been available since 1984 and just recently there has been found a connection to stomach cancer. I have been taking it for decades.

Nothing comes with out some kind of possible side effect/ risk. All we can do is research and make informed decisions.