Dr. Turley answers common questions about Medication Side-effects
What are medication side-effects?
Medications are prescribed for therapeutic relief of one or more symptoms. These are often called “target” symptoms. Unfortunately, since medications are chemicals, each individual can experience unintended effects from medications. These unwanted results of taking a medication are called side-effects.
What are some examples of common harmless side-effects?
Many medications cause sleepiness, dry mouth, blurred vision and changes in bowel movements. Some medications cause mild anxiety or edginess. Some cause headaches and stomach aches. Others cause loss of appetite and trouble sleeping. Many are associated with weight gain. Most medication side-effects of this sort begin soon after the medication is started, are mild, and generally get better on their own as the body adjusts to the new chemical in the system.
What are some less common or more dangerous side-effects?
Mental confusion, severe headaches, loss of consciousness, itchy rash, difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness and falling, severe muscle stiffness, and fever are all possible side-effects of various medications. These are more serious and may require immediate medical attention.
Where can I get information about medications and possible side effects?
The best first source is the doctor or nurse prescribing the medication. At the time of the office visit the prescriber should be able to educate you about what to expect with the medication. However, most doctors won’t scare patients with a list of all possible medication side-effects.
Pharmacists are also very good sources of information. They have access for reference guides and computers that may able to analyze whole lists of medications and consider interactions between medications.
When is a side-effect serious?
A side-effect is considered serious when it is intolerable (i.e. is a reason to stop the medication) or it is getting worse rather than better with time.
What are other causes of symptoms that could be mistaken for a side-effect?
Viral infections are often a source of symptoms that overlap with medication side-effects (i.e. headache, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, rash).
What if my child seems to be having a medication side-effect. When do I call to talk to someone?
If you are really scared, call the office, doctor or pharmacist. The advice you will be likely given is:
q Discontinue the medication if the side-effect is really intolerable.
q Continue on the medication if side effects are mild. Most side-effects get better on their own.
q Proceed to the emergency room if he/she feels very sick or looks very sick.
q If the side-effect seems to follow a dosage increase, go back to the old dose and give the medication a few days before increasing it again.
What if it is after hours? What do I do then?
Dr. Turley can be contacted for very urgent matters after hours at 781 934-9235. If immediate call back is necessary, use the pager as directed in the messages. If the issue is serious, don’t wait for call-back. Go to the local emergency room.