History Main / SideEffectsInclude

** Antidepressants "may increase suicidal thoughts in teens". It actually makes sense, though -- one thing depression does is make you ''incredibly'' lethargic and unmotivated, and people with suicidal depression who only fix the "depression" part of it end up suddenly motivated to [[NiceJobBreakingItHero go through with their suicide]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks'' episode "Mr. Medicinal", Granddad received multiple prescription pills to relieve his stress. One of the pills had this type of commercial to promote it. The list of side effects is so ridiculous ([[TheLoinsSleepTonight drastic decrease of sexual function]] is ''considered normal''), he trashes all of the prescriptions and resort to smoking marijuana instead. HilarityEnsues.

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheBoondocks'' episode "Mr. Medicinal", Granddad received multiple prescription pills to relieve his stress. One of the pills had this type of commercial to promote it. The list of side effects is so ridiculous, he trashes all of the prescriptions and resort to smoking marijuana instead. HilarityEnsues.

* One example of the third are ads on American sports evens for "Is It Low T?", which doesn't even push a drug and puts the drug company's name in small print near the bottom. It's pretty clear from the ads (and made explicit on their website) that they're promoting their treatment for lowered testosterone in men. The FridgeLogic kicks in, though, when you realize that everything that would treat said condition would be either a steroid or a steroid precursor. And they're sponsoring sports (particularly baseball) that have had serious issues trying to stop steroid use.

** Another bit was about a weight-loss drug with the side effect of [[{{Squick}} anal seepage]].

** Glowstems are described as causing uncontrollable bouts of impromptu breakdancing. However, since they aren't actually plants but actually LEDs that the characters mistook for alien flora, it's likely that he got electrocuted trying to eat it and mistook the resulting muscle spasms for some strange food poisoning-induced dancing.

U.S. pharmaceutical advertisers face a difficult dilemma.[[note]]Direct to consumer advertising for prescription drugs is illegal in every country except the US and New Zealand[[/note]] Because of truth-in-advertising laws, any commercial giving indications for use of a prescription drug must give full disclosure of side effects.

--> That's not a side effect if my ass is going... [spiils water from a bottle held behind his butt]] I think that's an ''effect'', really. It's like, "How you doin', Bob?" - "Oh, just a little anal leakage, Ted." - "Bob, you wanna get out of the pool right now?"[[note]]For extra humor, fucitol is a sugar alcohol, many of which actually do in fact have this precise side effect.[[/note]]

--> That's not a side effect, that is an ''effect''. It's like, "How you doin', Bob?" - "Oh, just a bit of anal leakage." - "Bob, you wanna get out of the pool right now?"[[note]]For extra humor, fucitol is a sugar alcohol, many of which actually do in fact have this precise side effect.[[/note]]

U.S. [[note]]Direct to consumer advertising for prescription drugs is illegal in every country except the US and New Zealand[[/note]] pharmaceutical advertisers face a difficult dilemma. Because of truth-in-advertising laws, any commercial giving indications for use of a prescription drug must give full disclosure of side effects.

* ''VideoGame/Portal2'': Repulsion gel was originally sold as a diet aid, but was pulled from shelves for "various reasons." Cave Johnson's voice-over hints at one side effect that probably contributed to the recall:[[note]]Thing is, it's a case of NowYouTellMe, as the test Chell just finished usually involves running under a gel spout ''and getting covered in Repulsion Gel''.[[/note]]
-->'''Cave Johnson''': Oh, in case you got covered in that Repulsion Gel, here's some advice the lab boys gave me: DO NOT get covered in the Repulsion Gel. We haven't exactly nailed down what element it is, but it's a lively one, and it does ''not'' like the [[BodyHorror human skeleton]].

* ''VideoGame/Pikmin2'': Louie tests out the edibility of every plant and animal he encounters, and his notes include the side-effects of the less edible specimens he taste-tested:
** Caustic dweevils are pronounced as being inedible, as side effects of eating them "include uncontrollable arm flailing and enthusiastic dishwashing".
** Louie advises against eating clover, as doing so "may result in nausea, headache, fever, fatigue, chest pains, paralysis, loss of bone density, moodiness, feral rage, sauciness, dilly-dallying, strokes of brilliance, and untimely doom".
** Glowstems are described as causing uncontrollable bouts of impromptu breakdancing. However, since they aren't actually plants but actually LEDs that the characters mistook for alien flora, it's likely that he got electrocuted trying to eat it and mistook the resulting muscle spasms for some strange food poisoning-induced dancing.

[[quoteright:350:[[WesternAnimation/BrandyAndMrWhiskers https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/efectos_secundarios.png]]]]

* Pretty much any topical treatment for low testosterone has multiple side effects that can not only affect the man taking it but women and children who come into contact with the areas where it's applied. Creator/StephenColbert [[http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/421822/december-04-2012/low-t---low-o riffed on this]] at one point.

* ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'': Clicking repeatedly on the Priest unit (the human side's healer) eventually results in him issuing the following disclaimer: "Side effects may include: Dry mouth, Nausea, Water retention, Painful rectal itch, Hallucinations, Psychosis, Coma, Death, and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking Halitosis]]. Magic is not for everyone, consult your doctor before use."

-->''Some people with Space Bugs™ in their heads experience stumbling, loss of balance, or loss of hearing in one ear. This is normal since part of your brain needs to come out somewhere. Some people with Space Bugs™ report an aversion to sex and also alcohol, plus an interest in vegetables, vegetable juices, and the curative properties of juicing in general.''
** Brain matter leakage is common but harmless.
** Effect dependent on length of infestation.
** Look for our ad in American Juicer.

* Parodied by ''Series/WandaVision'' in an ad for Nexus. Side effects of using Nexus include "feeling your feelings, confronting your truth, seizing your destiny, and possibly more depression."
-->"Nexus. [[ItsAllAboutMe Because the world doesn't revolve around you]]. [[ArmorPiercingQuestion Or does it?]]"

* ''Series/MadTV'' did a skit parodying this, not by concocting a ridiculous list of side effects, but by advertising the party drug MDMA (Ecstacy) as a Zoloft-like antidepressant. (It'll give you the serotonin boost you're looking for, but will also turn you into Dopamine Boy/Girl.) Although the side effects and disclaimers rattled off at the end ''are'' fairly ridiculous:

* [[http://headtrip.keenspot.com/d/20150126.html This]] ''Webcomic/HeadTrip'' pain pill commercial spoof combines this trope with {{Arson Murder and Jaywalking}} and ComicallyMissingThePoint. The side effects include: "headaches, nausea, back pain, constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, suicidal thoughts, dizziness confusion... dislocated knees, [[DepartmentofRedundancyDepartment vertigo, a sudden fear of heights]], an allergy to ginger, an insatiable craving for kale... eighteen different cancers, eye infections, unpredictable bowel movements, annoying songs stuck in your head, stomach cramps, broken toes ..and finally, '''death'''." Further advice: "Stop taking this pill and call your doctor immediately if you find yourself looking up at the stars and wondering what your place in the universe is. Also work with your doctor to see if this pill is right for you and if the constant hunger for human flesh is worth it." The woman (who has been making increasingly disturbed faces throughout the list)'s reaction? "''I might get diarrhea?!''"

* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitans'' had [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzzkcYsgHuE a parody of a magical drug, Zinthos]], during a TrappedInTVLand episode. Raven usually intones "Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos" when using her powers, the commercial advertised Zinthos as from the makers of Azarath and Metrion. Some of the effects of this drug mirror her changes when she loses control of her powers: Multiple eyes, disturbing visions, fits of rage (though not bloating, cramping or loss of hair, thankfully). It also says not to get Zinthos wet, or feed it after midnight, a ShoutOut to the ''Film/{{Gremlins}}'' movies. It also explains what happens if the viewer has trouble meditating ("Stop saying Zinthos and consult your ancient scrolls immediately.")

* ''WesternAnimation/Shrek2'': Puss rattles off a long list of side-effects of the Happily Ever After potion, which are written on the ''back'' of the label, and as such only visible after the potion has been drunk. Most notable is that in order to make the effects of the potion permanent, the drinker must obtain their true love's kiss by midnight.

* The Music/StrayKids song "Side Effects" lists the side effects to anti-anxiety medication,playing into the theme of self-doubt and paranoia.

* The humorous song "Pillagers" contains an ad for Liquiflox, a fluid to help you take more pills. Its side effects include "an urge to buy a house from Ikea" and "death and reincarnation as a slug."

-->'''Stormfront:''' How can you have diarrhea ''and'' constipation?\\

* OlderThanPrint: The 6th-century Chinese medical text ''Records of the Rock Chamber'' list the following side effects for an alleged elixir of immortality, and [[RefugeInAudacity suggests that this means the elixir is working]]. Modern toxicologists will instead recognise them as classic signs of acute mercury poisoning, a likely result of many Chinese "[[ImmortalitySeeker immortality elixirs]]" of the era (which as a rule contained cinnabar, a.k.a. mercury(II) sulfide).

** Had a parody ad, this time for birth control. The voiceover is totally standard, but the video shows Amy Poehler repeatedly seducing men, women, [[ReallyGetsAround and groups into her apartment]], [[UpToEleven up to an entire wheelchair basketball team]].

* ''WebAnimation/HomestarRunner'': In "Characters From Yonder Website", Strong Sad discovers all the other characters tripping on [[GRatedDrug expired "Smarty Juice"]], a drink that lists side effects such as "drowsiness, euphoria, and unbelievably soothing children's programming."

* ''WebAnimation/BrawlOfTheObjects'' has a list of side-effects from competing in the show.
-->"BOTO may not be right for you, side effects include explosive diarrhea, the heebie-jeebies, embarrassing nausea attacks, death by mustache, addictions to kittens and possible implosion of the brain."
** [[spoiler:Shelly was implied to suffer from five of the symptoms.]]