Avoid: Common Medication Mistakes, Scams, and Dangerous Combos
Want to stay safe with medicines and supplements? A few simple avoidances will save you time, money, and health headaches. This page collects practical warnings from our articles so you can spot shady pharmacies, risky drug mixes, and overused treatments. Read the short checklist below and follow the tips that match your situation.
Avoid sketchy online pharmacies and bad deals
Buying meds online can be legit, but many sites sell fake drugs or skip required prescriptions. Don't order controlled or prescription-only drugs—like Xanax, Finast, or isotretinoin—without a valid prescription and a pharmacy that verifies it. Look for clear contact info, a real pharmacy license, and secure checkout. If a site sells prescription drugs without asking for a prescription, avoid it. Cases like thenorx.com and versandapo.de show how some vendors work well and others hide details; check reviews and verify registration before you pay.
Cheap price alone is a red flag. Scammers lure buyers with low cost and fast shipping, but you may get wrong doses or counterfeit pills. For important meds—antibiotics, cancer drugs like erlotinib, and blood pressure meds—use a trusted pharmacy, consult your prescriber, and confirm packaging and batch numbers when possible.
Avoid dangerous drug interactions and misuse
Mixing drugs without checking interactions is one of the fastest ways to cause harm. For example, benzodiazepines like Ativan (lorazepam) plus alcohol or opioids can cause dangerous sedation and breathing problems. Certain antidepressants and migraine drugs can combine to raise serotonin risk. If you use blood pressure meds like felodipine (Plendil) or inhalers for asthma, tell your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take.
Some drugs have close substitutes but different safety profiles. Don’t switch inhalers, antidepressants, or diabetes meds on your own—articles comparing Wixela to Symbicort or alternatives to metformin show why a prescriber should guide changes. Also avoid off-label or sports supplements like meldonium if you compete—governing bodies may ban them.
Other avoid points: don’t ignore persistent side effects, don’t keep taking a drug just because it was prescribed years ago (levothyroxine overuse is a common issue), and don’t buy single-dose or controlled meds from marketplaces. If a medication causes new symptoms, call your clinician; sudden stopping can also be dangerous for drugs like benzodiazepines or certain antidepressants.
Want help deciding what to avoid for a specific drug or situation? Click any article in this tag to get practical, focused advice—whether it’s safe pharmacies, better alternatives, or specific drug safety tips. If you're unsure, ask your pharmacist or doctor before making changes.
