Friday Factoids - 10 Deadliest Drugs

March 21, 2008

This weeks Friday Factoids focuses on the top ten deadliest drugs according to an article in the Archives of Internal Medicine called “Serious Adverse Drug Events Reported to the Food and Drug Administration”.  Drugs are listed next to their placement and the number of deaths between 1998 and 2005 is listed in parenthesis with the drugs common use underneath.

10. Etanercept (1,034)

Used as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, I think I’m safe on this.

9. Risperidone (1,093)

Marketed in the US as Risperdal, this drug is commonly used as a treatment for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, again I’m safe for now.

8. Interferon beta (1,178)

The entire Interferon family of drugs is used to treat multiple sclerosis, luckily I don’t personally know any one with this disease as it can be quite devastating.

7. Infliximab (1,228)

Infliximab is used to treat autoimmune disorders as well as psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.  Man, I hope I don’t get arthritis, that’s two drugs on the list.

6. Methadone (1,258)

Methadone is most commonly used to treat addiction to opiates such as heroin.  The death rate for overdoses is actually higher than what’s stated here which figures on proper use of the medication.  It seems every few days you hear about a kid who got into their parents’ methadone and overdoses, I’m pretty sure that won’t happen to me.

5. Acetaminophen (1,393)

Acetaminophen is the main ingredient in many over the counter pain and cold medications.  Damn it, now I can’t even take Tylenol or Excedrin for my headaches anymore.

4. Morphine (1,616)

Morphine is one of the most commonly used opioid based pain killers used today.  Its also one of the most addictive, which explains the high death count.  Sorry, I’ll take my pain killer in the bar, thanks.

3. Clozapine (3,277)

Clozapine is an antipsychotic, used to treat schizophrenia and to reduce suicidal behavior.  Again, luckily I’m not that crazy that I need these drugs.

2. Fentanyl (3,545)

Fentanyl is another opioid based pain killer which is 80 times as strong as morphine, and probably 80 times as addictive.  With the increased strength comes the increased risk of overdose.

1. Oxycodone (5,548)

Commonly marketed as Oxycotin, this is a powerful opioid based pain killer.  Oxycotin carries a very high rate of dependency and is a popular street drug, mostly crushed up and snorted or cooked like heroin and injected.  This is some wicked stuff, again, just give me a beer.

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