There is an obvious solution to the high costs of prescription drugs: Don’t take any.

If you do, the side effects probably are worse than the symptoms you’re experiencing; so avoid the costs, avoid the (further) lowering of your libido, and, above all, avoid having to give up the operation of heavy machinery.

Avoid severe rash or hives, avoid diarrhea, avoid risks of drug interactions, avoid waiting in line at the pharmacy.

Just say no.

The drugs don’t make sense anyway. First off, no one but an expert in hieroglyphics can decipher a physician’s prescription. So, you’re taking a chance already with a pharmacist who didn’t major in archaeology – or whatever.

Certainly, you trust your doctor – and your druggist – but you can’t help but quiver with uncertainty that the two professionals wouldn’t do well at a social mixer, much less at arriving at the medical remedy for your ailments.

For instance, the patient may complain of lightheadedness, dizziness and breathlessness among other symptoms. The medicine: a beta blocker, which appears appropriate under the circumstances – to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina pectoris). Yet, the side effects may include drowsiness, lightheadedness or dizziness, or unusual tiredness.

Or “Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience difficulty breathing,” the information sheet accompanying the drug states. How does the patient know whether the drug or the illness is causing the dilemma?

The only certain thing is the caution for nursing mothers, since most patients needing beta blockers aren’t excreting this medicine in their breast milk. But the caveat is this: “For women, if you plan on becoming pregnant, check with your doctor.” In other words, yikes, don’t take anything – ever – if you plan on becoming pregnant.

The prescription sheet also includes this king-size blanket of “we’re not liable” material, as in: “The information in this monograph is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects.”

And, the comical direction: “Take this medicine either always with food or always on an empty stomach.” Obviously, it’s consistency the drug dictates, but the interpretation might be a tad loose.

Let’s take another prescription, an antibiotic, obviously to fight infection. But listen to the possible effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin rash, hives, breathing difficulties, dizziness, tightness of chest, swelling of eyelids.

Then, take another prescription for lowering the common ailment of heartburn. The folded, agate-type report of clinical studies resembles the Dead Sea Scrolls, more than a yard in length, both sides, with tiny words no one with bifocals can read.

This antacid can produce, among other symptoms: malaise, chest pain, angina pectoris – have you seen this anywhere earlier in this column?

Caution: Do not stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. Or don’t start.