Today, a variety of medicines for all types of ailments can be found in various forms such as tablets, capsules, injections, and ointments. Despite their therapeutic benefits, these drugs can bring about unwanted side effects that add further complications to the initial ailment.
A harmful or undesirable effect can result from any medicine or intervention during treatment. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the possible adverse effects of any drug taken.
Allergies in the form of skin rashes and itching can occur with any medicine taken. Similarly, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, and a sense of bloating in the stomach can be caused by any medicine taken by mouth.
Painkillers are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for musculoskeletal pain. People tend to buy these drugs themselves as well when they have a headache or pain somewhere. These drugs (ibuprofen, diclofenac, aspirin, etc.) can cause gastric irritation, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and burning pain in the chest or stomach.
These drugs can induce or aggravate peptic ulcer disease. Additionally, kidney failure can occur when these are used repeatedly for a long period of time. Aspirin is known to cause bleeding from any site in the body.
Antibiotics are life-saving. However, some antibiotics, such as penicillin injections, can cause life-threatening allergic reactions. Most antibiotics deplete the beneficial bacterial flora from the intestines. This results in increased susceptibility to intestinal infections. Antibiotics such as gentamycin and streptomycin are toxic to the ear and can cause deafness. Erythromycin and rifampicin can result in liver toxicity. Most of the drugs used for allergies and dizziness (chlorphenamine, cinnarizine, promethazine, diphenhydramine, etc.) tend to cause a lot of drowsiness, thus impairing one's ability to work.
A person using drugs such as cimetidine for gastritis can suffer from gynecomastia (enlargement of male breasts) after long-term use, which is more troublesome than the pain of gastritis.
Antidepressant drugs can cause extreme emotional distress when they result in erectile dysfunction. Antihypertensive medicines like atenolol can cause sexual impotence over time. Corticosteroids tend to exacerbate hypertension and diabetes. Diabetes is exacerbated by drugs like diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide), which are used to remove excess salt and water from the body.
Bronchial asthma can be exacerbated by drugs such as propranolol, which is used to treat hypertension, as well as by pain-relieving drugs. Gout, a painful condition of the toes, is aggravated by diuretics and anti-cancer drugs.
Anticancer drugs, while killing the cancer cells of the body, also kill the normal cells of the body, causing anaemia and reduced immunity, thus impairing the overall resistance of the body.
The list is very long. There is a false belief prevalent among people that traditional medicines are comparatively safe. Traditional medicines such as herbs and mushrooms can result in liver and kidney toxicity.
Moreover, some herbs and even food items can interact with drugs in the body. This can either reduce the level of the drug in the body, reduce its efficacy, or increase its level, causing toxicity.
An example of tetracycline interacting with milk and milk products means that milk products should be avoided or taken at least two hours apart from taking tetracycline.
No medicine taken in any form is 100 per cent safe. One should try to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to remain healthy. Drugs should only be taken if there is a problem that needs to be remedied.
People should be aware that the medicine they are taking can produce adverse effects. Every drug has product information provided by the manufacturer. Before using the medicine, one should try to obtain all information about the drug—thus, be in the position to recognise any adverse effects to be managed immediately.
Dr Rachna Pande is a specialist in internal medicine