Just how safe are some prescription medications?

Is he frustrated by trying to quit smoking, or does he use Chantix?

Anything you do or say has some sort of effect on either yourself or others.

However, I have found one aspect in many of our lives where the side effects can be just too much at times: Prescription medications.

Now I understand getting a doctor's permission to take flu medicine or pain medication after surgery, but lately, there seems to be an abundance of prescriptions on the market with a laundry list of health concerns which, to me, would make individuals not want to take them.

For example, I was watching TV the other night after getting home from work and saw a commercial for Chantix, which was being advertised as a stop smoking aid.

If it didn't, it sure felt like the outline of side effects took as long to read off as the testimonial of the individual highlighting how well the product works.

Remember, this is a product to help someone quit smoking, so some may wonder just how many side effects there could be.

Well, here is the list:

MOST COMMON

* Nausea -- in up to 30 percent of people,

* Insomnia -- up to 19 percent,

* Headaches -- up to 19 percent,

* Abnormal dreams -- up to 13 percent,

* Gas -- up to 9 percent,

* Changes in taste -- up to 8 percent, and

* Constipation -- up to 8 percent.

OTHER SIDE EFFECTS (in 1-7 percent)

* Abdominal pain (stomach pain),

* Indigestion or heartburn,

* Gastroesophageal reflux disease (also known as GERD or acid reflux),

* Dry mouth,

* Nightmares,

* Drowsiness,

* Lethargy,

* Fatigue or weakness,

* Weight gain,

* Runny nose, and

* Increased or decreased appetite.

Now these don't sound too bad. In fact, one should probably anticipate these side effects when trying to quit smoking.

But hold on, there's plenty more:

INFREQUENT, BUT SERIOUS

* Extreme nausea or vomiting,

* Difficulty breathing,

* Suicidal behavior,

* Psychotic, aggressive, or strange behavior,

* High blood pressure (hypertension), and

* Signs of an allergic reaction, including unexplained rash, hives, itching, and unexplained swelling.

These should always raise some red flags and make one think twice before putting this type of medication in their body.

Is it really worth taking the chance of becoming psychotic or suicidal when trying to quit smoking?

Personally, I don't think so, but yet there are even more side effects:

RARE (in less than 1 percent)

* Anemia,

* Migraines,

* Ringing in the ears (tinnitus),

* A spinning sensation (vertigo),

* Thyroid problems,

* Dry eyes,

* Vision problems, including night blindness,

* Cataracts,

* Diarrhea,

* Gingivitis,

* Stomach ulcers,

* High cholesterol,

* Arthritis,

* Osteoporosis,

* Sexual problems,

* Increased sweating,

* Dry skin, and

* Psoriasis.

So there you have it, a total of 42 possible side effects (18 of which are fairly common), out of one prescription to potentially help someone stop smoking. After seeing this list, I would think the majority of smokers wanting to quit would consider the "cold turkey" approach before ever taking this prescription.

With this list, and its negative history the past few years, it amazes me how this product is still being made available to the public.

I suppose the lesson here is, don't just take a medication because the doctor prescribes it. Take some time to research it yourself, as well as other possible -- and less risky -- alternatives to treat whatever condition you may have.

Yes, doctors have been trained, but there is no reason for all of us to know what we are putting into our own bodies.