🛡️ How to Stay Safe on Medication
Habit
Benefit
âś… Know your personal risk factors
Share full history with your doctor
✅ Ask: “Does this drug increase my clot risk?”
Be proactive about side effects
✅ Don’t stop meds abruptly
Can cause rebound effects
âś… Watch for warning signs
Swelling/pain in leg, chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden headache
âś… Use the lowest effective dose
Especially long-term
🚨 Seek emergency care if you experience:
Difficulty breathing
Chest pain or pressure
Sudden confusion or weakness
Severe leg swelling or redness
These could signal a clot.
❌ Debunking the Myths
Myth
Truth
❌ “All birth control pills cause clots”
False — risk varies by type; progesterone-only pills don’t increase risk
❌ “Natural = safer”
Not true — herbal supplements like yohimbe or ephedra carry heart risks too
❌ “If a drug is still sold, it’s completely safe”
No — all drugs have risks; safety is about balance
❌ “One pill caused my clot”
Rarely simple — usually multiple contributing factors
