Side effects are those unwanted symptoms caused by medical treatments. Whenever you buy medicines, whether recommended by the doctors, complementary, or over-the-counter ones, you must be ready to face these side effects. While talking about over-the-counter and complementary medicines, can be vitamins, herbal preparations, and medicines recommended by complementary health professionals and naturopaths. Even after the legality of marijuana, it is mandatory to write warnings on marijuana packaging boxes used in different drug production.
Millions are hospitalized each year for drug problems, including side effects. Here, it is necessary to mention that you can manage several side effects comprehensively because they are not severe enough to disturb you. However, some side effects can be very dangerous and create serious health issues.
Therefore, the experts think that you must manage your medications with great care. You can take more details from you’re your doctor.
Prescription Drugs Have Side Effects
All medicines can have unwanted side effects. For example, certain antibiotics cause allergic reactions in about 5% of people. A rash is a common reaction. However, the issue is that we cannot identify whether it is the reaction of a particular medicine or something else.
Interactions with other medications the patient is taking are an additional complication. Interactions may occur between prescription, over-the-counter, and complementary medicines.
Many Side Effects Are Due To The Complementary Medicines
Many customers love buying complementary medications at least once a year. Many people consider themselves safe. However, it is not always the case. Some herbs affect the body similarly to traditional medicines and may cause unwanted side effects.
Some of the complementary medicines may become the reason for some side effects. Here is the detail of these medicines are provided here:
Echinacea: The experts have confirmed that you can face more than 20 reactions when using this medicine. These include asthma attacks, hives, swelling, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal distress. It can also create issues for pregnant women. Some of the medicines come in the market with custom CBD branding. They may face the issue of uterine contractions.
Complementary Medicines May Interact With Prescription Medicines
About one in five Australians take both complementary medicines and prescription medicines. These ingredients can interact with the drugs used to improve your health.
Some of the combinations can be very dangerous for your health. We have discussed some of them here. So, let us explore this information!
Echinacea can interact with drugs that are broken down in the liver. Many complementary medicines (e.g., comfrey, ginkgo, chamomile) may increase the risk of bleeding in people taking blood thinners (e.g., warfarin) or anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., aspirin).
A combination of alcohol and drugs may cause side effects.
- Alcohol can cause drowsiness and dizziness when taking (some) antihistamines, antidepressants, sleeping pills, and anxiolytics. Alcohol can interfere with medications that treat high blood pressure and motion sickness.
- The risk of overdose increases when you mix alcohol with strong prescription drugs. These medicines can be opioid pain relievers. Drinking alcohol in combination with opioids can slow breathing, leading to drowsiness and unconsciousness.
- Some antibiotics have adverse interactions with alcohol and may cause serious reactions. Symptoms may include stomach pain, skin redness, headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, drowsiness, or dizziness.
Remember that alcohol stays in your body for a few hours after your last sip, so interactions may occur even if you stop drinking.
All Medicines Should Be Taken As Prescribed By A Doctor
Do not take other people’s medicines. Know your medicines. All prescription drugs have an information sheet called the CMI (Consumer Medicinal Information). It contains detailed information about the drug, including instructions to use, side effects, and precautions in an easy-to-understand format. Your pharmacist will also know the CMI of your medicines. Packaging stores in the USA also mentioned the details of the medicines on marijuana packaging boxes to guide the customers about the medicine.
If you are buying over-the-counter or complementary medicines, ask your pharmacist. They can also advise you on side effects and interactions with other medications of marijuana packaging boxes. Remember that even supermarket-bought medicines can have side effects.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription, over-the-counter, and complementary medicines.
- Review all medicines you take annually. It is important because older adults are more prone to side effects. The review can be done at the pharmacy or at home. Learn more about drug reviews from your doctor.
- Discuss with your doctor to see if you can reduce the need for medication by improving your lifestyle. You can better control some conditions with dietary changes and regular exercise.
- It is a must to dispose of expired medicines. It is a free service.
- If you talk to your pharmacist, they can give you aids to help you take your medicine. If you take too many different medicines at different times, you risk making mistakes.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist questions about the effects and risks of your medicines.
