Drug Side Effects
Just about every drug, whether over-the-counter or prescribed by a health care professional, has the potential to have drug side effects. That is because pharmaceuticals are very powerful preparations, and have the potential to greatly affect the systems of the body. We wouldn’t use them to fight disease and illness and to control chronic conditions it they weren’t. Typically, the potential for drug side effects is small, and the benefits of the medication outweigh the risks. However, this isn’t always the case, which makes it important to be an informed consumer.
It should be said that incidents of serious, life endangering drug side effects are rare. However, the number makes little difference if you or someone you care about happens to be that one out of a million to suffer ill effects. It is not only prescription medications that can have such effects. Some of the most common over-the-counter pain relievers can cause serious liver damage when used over the long term in high amounts. It should be noted that the amount required over the long-term to cause such damage can vary from individual to individual.
With the number of medications available today, if drug side effects are experienced with one type of medicine, often there is another type that is available to substitute in the treatment or management of a particular illness, disease, or chronic health condition. Before taking any medication, prescribed or over-the-counter, it is important to make sure that you are familiar with potential drug side effects associated with that medication. That way, you can be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary that can be traced back to that specific medication and get started on a substitute as soon as possible.
Becoming an informed consumer when it comes to medications is a smart move that can be of great benefit to your overall health and well-being. Taking the time to learn about potential drug side effects can help you to make the best medical choices possible, avoiding unnecessary health problems.
Disclaimer: Cliff Schaffer does not personally endorse or support any of the comments made within the writings of this article. |
