Consumer Reports publishes its “drugs of last resort”. “The drugs and drug types with undetected or underestimated risks at the time of approval are sold under many names and include –

– Celebrex, a pain reliever – Crestor for cholesterol – the contraceptive Depo Provera – Elidel and Protopic for eczema – Isotretinoin for severe acne – Lariam to prevent malaria – Meridia for weight loss – Ovide for head lice – Premarin and other estrogens to treat symptoms of menopause – Serevent Diskus for asthma – Zelnorm for irritable bowel syndrome – and Zoloft, Effexor, and other antidepressants, particularly when prescribed to young people.

With most of these drugs, Consumer Reports says the risks are rare, and a few are not conclusively proven, but they point to weaknesses in the nation’s drug-safety system.”

I’m not sure how helpful calling some of these medications “drugs of last resort”. Some, like Zoloft, Effexor and Crestor, are quite safe with proper supervision, and used first-line on a regular basis.