Oxymoronic Medications

When a medication is given to treat a problem that has a potential side effect of causing the same problem, that's what I call an oxymoronic medication.

A classic example of an oxymoronic medication is tylenol which is typically taken to alleviate a headache, but does have a potential side effect of causing a headache! For tylenol and many others, the oxymoronic side effect is typically due to a rebound effect, but for some others, it may be a more direct effect.

Here's a list of common oxymoronic medications and it's associated oxymoronic side effect.

• Tylenol (and other pain relievers) to treat headache may cause headache.
• Zantac (and other H2 blockers) to treat reflux may cause reflux [more info]
• Prilosec (and other proton pump inhibitors) to treat reflux may cause reflux [more info]
• Astelin nasal spray to treat sneezing due to allergies may cause sneezing.
• Afrin nasal spray to treat nasal congestion can cause nasal congestion [more info]

• Meclizine to treat dizziness can cause dizziness. 

Please comment below if you want to share any others!