Are you aware of the Side Effects?

Riya
was sickly thin when I met her few years ago. A string of dark patches ran down
her slender arms and neck, which she tried to camouflage with lotions and long
sleeves. Moreover, she was also a victim of dry eyes syndrome and had to use eye
drops regularly. We worked together in India and every day I watched her fight
these issues with a brave smile.
Once during a
coffee break, she confided that she wasn’t like this before. The nightmare
began when she started taking medication for a certain disease, which caused a
severe allergic reaction. I was shocked and terrified at the same time. This
could happen to anyone.
But then, are
we not prone to pop a pill without consulting a doctor? We often try to be our
own doctors, without realizing or researching on the side effects.
I remember
when I had cold for a good three months last year. I tried using Sudafed to
clear the nostrils. Later on I found that even though Sudafed would provide
immediate relief, it wasn’t a cure. The nose would be congested again and it
would be worse than before. It was only after the consultation with GP that I
finally was able to breathe with my nose properly.


In this age
of internet, where information is handy, it is extremely vital that we make
sure what we are feeding in doesn’t cause any side effects. Do not shy away
from consulting doctors, especially when you have a history of chronic disease.


Most of the
medicines will have side effects listed, but it depends on the individual’s
body on how it reacts to the after effects. One simple example is cold medicine
that causes weakness and drowsiness. Few antibiotics result in gastric problems
and even skin allergies. Check this site to know more about side effects from
Drugs – BetterHealth
For Example, take Xarelto, which is used to prevent or treat a type of blood clot called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which can lead to blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). More Information here. The side effects of Xarelto are severe, even life threatening. 


The most common and possibly life-threatening side effect of Xarelto is an increased risk of excessive bleeding. According to the anticoagulant’s medication guide, such bleeding can cause a range of related problems, such as bruising easily, and may even lead ultimately to death. The risk of bleeding may worsen if Xarelto is taken in conjunction with other medications (see list below). – Source RecallCenter




While
researching I found that a drug for acne could cause depression too!!

As an example, Accutane, which is prescribed for the treatment of acne, has been found to also cause depression. So have oral contraceptives, high blood pressure drugs,
and even 
statins
 that
treat high 
cholesterol
. Source – MedicineNet
To maintain
the health and well-being of your body it is essential that you identify the
side effects, consult with doctors on how your body might react to medications
and make sure your kids do not reach the medicine cabinet.
This week
(January 26th – February 1st) is Drugs Facts Week. Make yourself aware and stay
healthy.

3 thoughts on “Are you aware of the Side Effects?

  1. Nice post. The problem is the medicine companies list every known disease in the world as a side effect. This happens at least in USA. They list everything to cover their a**.

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