What types of common LEGAL Rx or OTC drugs have "negative side effects and do not prolong life"?

Question

I'm doing a medical marijuana debate and have to refute the following statement.

"Scientific research reveals that medical marijuana has negative side effects and does not prolong life"

I thought comparing it to legal common drugs would be a nice touch. I know all will have negative side effects, but I was hoping someone could point me in the direction of OTC or Rx drugs that aren't intended to prolong life so much as improve the quality of life.

Also, if you know of any that are used as antiemetics for chemo patients, or are used for the treatment of AIDS wasting syndrome, multiple sclerosis , Alzheimer’s, Nail Patella Syndrome, Pain, Chron's Disease, Anorexia, and/or Epilepsy.

Lastly, if you know of any drugs that are commonly recommended to those suffering the above ailments that have high dependency rates or lethal overdose histories, that would help too.

Thanks.

Answer 1

OTC drugs with adverse side fx that do not prolong life:

All of them -- depends on the dose.  I'm not being facetious.

OTC:

- antiemetics: dimenhydrinate

- "MS drugs" -- vit. D

- "Alzheimer's drugs" -- ibuprofen

- Nail Patella Syndrome -- Glucosamine + MSM

                                             Chondroitin (and any NSAID)

- Anorexia -- St. John's Wort

- Epilepsy -- none that I know of

Also, ferrous sulfate is abused by some athletes to gain a performance edge

Last question -- narcotics, esp. fentanyl patches (Duragesic), which, after being used as a patch still contain fentanyl -- there are a number of ways dependent users "re-use" used patches, and Oxy Contin (oxycodone) -- "Contin" = continuous release (it's only slow release if taken as directed & not chewed which releases the entire (large) dose at once).  "Hillbilly heroin," like fentanyl causes a lot of intentional and unintentional ODs.

- anabolic steroids (for AIDS) -- weight-lifters can become psychologically dependent on these.