Drug Side Effects
Ranked #6,809 in Healthy Living, #116,356 overall | Donates to Big Cat Rescue
Medicine Side Effects Resources on the Internet
If you pay attention to health news, you probably hear about drugs that got pulled due to serious side effects that hadn't come to light in clinical studies. In fact, the manufacturers of prescription drugs are required to reveal their side effects in their advertising but many try to downplay them or just include them in the fine print. There are a few resources and databases online where you can find details of the side effects of many common drugs and food additives in language that's easy to understand.
This lens will list the best of these resources.
Almost all prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause side effects. The occurrence, as well as the severity of side effects, varies by individual and usually happens when starting a new medication, when the dosage has been increased or decreased, and when a medication is stopped.
Examples of some the most common side effects caused by drugs are dry mouth, dizziness, headache, muscle pain, nausea, drowsiness, and vomiting. In order for a drug to be held accountable for causing a side effect, it must have occurred in 1% of individuals who have taken the drug.
Types of Side Effects
Some drug side effects occur as a result of a drug's chemical structure. An example of this type of side effect can be found in certain medications that cause dry mouth and drowsiness. These common side effects occur because the chemical makeup of the drug inhibits the body's natural production of the chemical acetylcholine.
Gastrointestinal effects are also very common side effects caused by drugs; nausea, diarrhea, and stomach irritation are among the most frequently cited problems. Many medications contain substances that delay the breaking down process of a drug until it has reached the intestines, this ensures proper absorption but sometimes results in stomach issues. These types of side effects may be minimized by taking medications with food and following all additional directions found on the label of the medication.
Pain is another frequently cited drug side effect. The reason pain is a common effect is because many drugs affect the area of the brain that is responsible for pain perception. In rare cases, a medication that is causing pain may be incurring physical damage to the body; examples of such damage may be muscle breakdown or tendon rupture.
Other side effects may also result from:
Allergic Reactions: This type of response can range from a minor reaction to more severe one. A minor allergic reaction would likely consist of a rash and itchiness on the skin, while a severe allergic response could lead to anaphylactic shock, which is a life threatening allergic reaction.
Drug, Alcohol & Food Interactions: Many drugs have an increased risk for dangerous side effects when taken with other medications. Dangerous interactions can also occur with non-drug substances such as alcohol, grapefruit juice, and various herbal supplements.
Overdose & Misuse: These types of side effects occur when medications have been taken in excess - either accidentally or on purpose. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the US.
This lens will list the best of these resources.
Almost all prescription and over-the-counter drugs can cause side effects. The occurrence, as well as the severity of side effects, varies by individual and usually happens when starting a new medication, when the dosage has been increased or decreased, and when a medication is stopped.
Examples of some the most common side effects caused by drugs are dry mouth, dizziness, headache, muscle pain, nausea, drowsiness, and vomiting. In order for a drug to be held accountable for causing a side effect, it must have occurred in 1% of individuals who have taken the drug.
Types of Side Effects
Some drug side effects occur as a result of a drug's chemical structure. An example of this type of side effect can be found in certain medications that cause dry mouth and drowsiness. These common side effects occur because the chemical makeup of the drug inhibits the body's natural production of the chemical acetylcholine.
Gastrointestinal effects are also very common side effects caused by drugs; nausea, diarrhea, and stomach irritation are among the most frequently cited problems. Many medications contain substances that delay the breaking down process of a drug until it has reached the intestines, this ensures proper absorption but sometimes results in stomach issues. These types of side effects may be minimized by taking medications with food and following all additional directions found on the label of the medication.
Pain is another frequently cited drug side effect. The reason pain is a common effect is because many drugs affect the area of the brain that is responsible for pain perception. In rare cases, a medication that is causing pain may be incurring physical damage to the body; examples of such damage may be muscle breakdown or tendon rupture.
Other side effects may also result from:
Allergic Reactions: This type of response can range from a minor reaction to more severe one. A minor allergic reaction would likely consist of a rash and itchiness on the skin, while a severe allergic response could lead to anaphylactic shock, which is a life threatening allergic reaction.
Drug, Alcohol & Food Interactions: Many drugs have an increased risk for dangerous side effects when taken with other medications. Dangerous interactions can also occur with non-drug substances such as alcohol, grapefruit juice, and various herbal supplements.
Overdose & Misuse: These types of side effects occur when medications have been taken in excess - either accidentally or on purpose. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem in the US.
Non-Prescription Drugs
You would think that non-prescription drugs are relatively safe. While that may be true in some cases, some unlucky people do suffer from side effects. For example, medicines containing Ibuprofen can cause nausea, headaches, and in some serious cases, asthma, hearing problems and swelling of the feet and legs. More rarely, the side effects of non-prescription drugs can be beneficial. For example, Aspirin is intended to relieve pain and bring down fevers but has also been proven to fight blood clots by thinning the blood. Prescription Drugs
Many prescription drugs can have serious side effects, especially if not used according to the prescription. Some may trigger an allergic reaction that includes rash or hives, difficulty breathing, itching, swelling, and dizziness. Most prescription drugs can cause dangerous drug interactions when taken with other medications, alcohol, or supplements, so be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any of these. Supplement and Food Additives
While you might not think anything of adding supplements to your cart, you should know that many supplements are not regulated by the FDA and some do have dangerous side effects. Some people have reported skin bloating, dehydration, gastrointestinal disorders and exacerbation of liver and kidney disorders after taking a controversial supplement called Creatine. Fish oil is also popular but people who take it run the risk of side effects associated with pollutants in fish.Before you buy sugar substitute packets or diet soda, be sure to check the ingredients. An artificial sweetener called Aspartame is a food additive that can contribute to neurological disorders over time. If you notice headaches, dizziness, or vision changes after consuming Aspartame, you should discontinue use.
List of Side Effects Resources
A list of drug side effects resources on the web. Will be updated regularly. If you have suggestions, post them below.
- DrugsDb.com
- Learn more about the side effects of common drugs.
- FDA Medwatch
- The FDA Safety Information and Adverse Effect Reporting Program
- MedlinePlus
- The National Institute of Health's information page on drugs, herbs and supplements.
When to talk with your doctor or pharmacist
If an individual is experiencing a life threatening or serious drug side effect , they should call 911 or go to the emergency room. In the presence of side effects that are worrisome but do not appear dangerous, the individual should contact their health care provider who will attempt to diminish the effects by changing the medication dosage, trying a new drug, or recommending a change in diet or lifestyle. It may take one or more of these solutions to resolve the undesirable effects.
