While neither vitamin nor mineral supplements have ever caused a single death; prescribed medications, used as directed, are the third leading cause of death in the U.S.

It’s been estimated that Vioxx, a drug used for arthritis and acute pain before it was banned after less than five years of use, killed more than 60,000 people. The pain-killer Celebrex, from the same drug family and with a similar safety profile (both drugs greatly increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke), is still in widespread use, with almost $3 billion in sales annually. One wonders how many people it will kill before it is banned.

But as more research confirms how hazardous both prescription and over-the-counter pain killers are, even the conservative US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strengthened its position that these  dangerous drugs should be avoided whenever possible. Last July the FDA announced new requirements that product labels for all non-aspirin nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) bear stronger-than-ever warnings about cardiovascular risks.

The FDA now requires drug manufacturers to warn consumers that pain-killers like Celebrex, Advil, Motrin, and Aleve can increase risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure whether or not you already have heart disease or are at an increased risk for having heart disease; also that such risks can occur as early as the first weeks of using the drugs.

Additional side effects of these dangerous drugs include kidney damage, water retention (leading to higher blood pressure), and bleeding, especially in the digestive tract.

Meanwhile, an influential review published in Lancet in 2013 reminds us that no available NSAID either improves arthritis or prevents progression of painful conditions.

While some pain-killing drugs weren’t included in the FDA warning, please don’t assume they’re safe. Aspirin, for example, is notorious for causing problems with internal bleeding, including death; acetominophen (Tylenol and Excedrin) is highly toxic to the liver, and has caused liver damage and death; and TNF inhibitors (Enbrel and Remicade) knock out your immune system, potentially leading to life-threatening infections (especially in the elderly) and cancer.

So why would anyone want to take these dangerous drugs? Only one reason: When you’re in terrible pain, you’ll do anything to “make it go away.” But there are better ways to alleviate pain;