Examples of adverse effects associated with specific medications

Abortion, miscarriage or uterine hemorrhage associated with misoprostol (Cytotec), a labor-inducing drug (this is a case where the adverse effect has been used legally and illegally for performing abortions)

Addiction to many sedatives and analgesics such as diazepam, morphine, etc.

Birth defects associated with Thalidomide and Accutane.

Bleeding of the intestine associated with aspirin therapy

Cardiovascular disease associated with COX-2 inhibitors (i.e. Vioxx)

Deafness and kidney failure associated with gentamicin (an antibiotic)

Death, following sedation in children using propofol (Diprivan)

Dementia associated with heart bypass surgery

Depression or hepatic injury caused by interferon

Diabetes caused by atypical antipsychotic medications (neuroleptic psychiatric drugs)

Diarrhea caused by the use of orlistat (Xenical)

Erectile dysfunction associated with many drugs, such as antidepressants

Fever associated with vaccination (in the past, imperfectly manufactured vaccines, such as BCG and poliomyelitis, have caused the very disease they intended to fight).

Glaucoma associated with corticosteroid-based eye drops

Hair loss and anemia may be caused by chemotherapy against cancer, leukemia, etc.

Headache following spinal anesthesia

Hypertension in ephedrine users, which prompted FDA to remove the status of dietary supplement of ephedra extracts

Insomnia caused by stimulants, Ritalin, Adderall, etc.

Lactic acidosis associated with the use of stavudine (Zerit, for anti-HIV therapy) or metformin (for diabetes)

Liver damage from paracetamol

Melasma and thrombosis associated with use of estrogen-containing hormonal contraception such as the combined oral contraceptive pill

Rhabdomyolysis associated with statins (anti-cholesterol drugs)

Seizures caused by withdrawal from benzodiazepine

Drowsiness or increase in appetite due to antihistamine use. Some antihistamines are used in sleep aids explicitly because they cause drowsiness.

Stroke or heart attack associated with sildenafil (Viagra) when used with nitroglycerine

Suicide, increased tendency associated to the use of fluoxetine and other SSRI antidepressants

Tardive dyskinesia associated with long-term use of metoclopramide and many antipsychotic medications