10 Weird Side Effects from Vintage Medications
These old-school remedies often did more than just treat your symptoms — they brought a whole new set of problems.
- Chris Graciano
- 2 min read
Modern medicine may have its flaws, but vintage pharmaceuticals were often downright bizarre. Many treatments promised relief but delivered shocking or strange side effects instead. Here are 10 old medications that fixed one issue while leaving you with something completely unexpected.
1. Thalidomide – Birth Defects
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Originally sold as a cure for morning sickness, thalidomide became infamous for causing severe birth deformities. The drug was marketed as safe for pregnant women — until it clearly wasn’t.
2. Cocaine Tooth Drops – Addiction
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Used to numb pain in children’s gums, these drops packed a serious punch. While they worked fast, they also introduced many to the addictive properties of cocaine.
3. Bayer Heroin – Sedation
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Marketed as a non-addictive alternative to morphine, Bayer’s heroin was prescribed for everything from coughs to anxiety. It left users feeling calm — too calm.
4. DNP (Dinitrophenol) – Overheating
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This early 20th-century weight loss drug worked by speeding up metabolism — so much that people overheated dangerously. Users would sweat uncontrollably, sometimes fatally. The idea was to burn fat, but it burned through safety limits, too.
5. Mercury – Drooling and Neurological Damage
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Commonly used for syphilis and skin conditions, mercury treatments seemed miraculous at first. Patients soon suffered excessive drooling, tremors, and even psychosis.
6. Chloral Hydrate – Hallucinations
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Touted as a sleep aid in the late 1800s, chloral hydrate was nicknamed “knockout drops.” While it did induce sleep, it often triggered vivid hallucinations and paranoia.
7. Arsenic-Based Tonics – Skin Discoloration
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Prescribed for everything from acne to STDs, arsenic “elixirs” promised to purify the body. In reality, they left many with gray or blotchy skin and internal organ damage.
8. Bromo-Seltzer – Addiction and Mood Swings
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This fizzy headache remedy contained bromides, which were eventually linked to depression, confusion, and tremors. It was marketed as a soothing solution to stress and hangovers.
9. Methamphetamine Inhalers – Euphoria and Dependence
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Sold under brand names like Benzedrine, these over-the-counter inhalers gave an energetic lift with every sniff. They were popular among students, soldiers, and even homemakers.
10. Laudanum – Extreme Drowsiness
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A blend of alcohol and opium, laudanum was the go-to solution for everything from pain to coughs. While it dulled discomfort, it also knocked users out cold.