Overview
Medicines legally available in the U.S. have to pass strict testing to show that they’re safe and effective. However, that doesn’t mean some people won’t experience unwanted side effects.
All drugs, whether prescribed or purchased without prescriptions, cause side effects. These side effects can range from mild to potentially life-threatening. Learning about some of the most likely side effects could save your life or the life of someone you love.
Common Side Effects
Three of the most common side effects are nausea, dizziness, and headaches.
Why are those three some of the more typical side effects? They’re associated with delicate systems in the human body that respond to the slightest changes.
For example, dizziness results from something causing disturbance to the human vestibular system, which is responsible for balance and coordination. If your new medicine causes too much of a drop in your blood pressure, you may feel lightheaded when you stand up.
Even something as common as aspirin can trigger vertigo, a false interpretation of the brain that your surroundings are moving. Vertigo can also result from using a group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides and some chemotherapies.
Allergic reactions
Allergic reactions are also common. Users of a medication may experience hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling.
The body’s reaction to the drug is self-defense. Your body has had a previously unfavorable exposure to at least one substance in the medicine.
The body remembers that experience, so the next time it encounters that substance, it overreacts. It interprets the substance as an enemy and launches a counterattack. The immune system’s counterattack causes symptoms such as hives, breathing issues, or swelling.
The drugs most likely to cause allergic reactions include:
- Antibiotics
- Over-the-counter pain medications classified as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen
- Acetaminophen
- Opium-based drugs like codeine
- Antiseizure drugs, such as lamotrigine and phenobarbital
- Chemotherapy drugs
Drug Interactions
Two or more drugs can interact in ways that increase side effects or reduce the effectiveness of the medication. That’s why it’s important to inform each of your doctors of the meds that another medical professional has prescribed.
You also have to be careful with over-the-counter medicines. For example, if you suffer from aggravating allergies, you may be tempted to combine the antihistamines Claritin and Benadryl.
However, you won’t improve your allergy. Instead, you’ll increase the potency of the antihistamine’s best-known side effect, drowsiness.
Claritin is marketed as non-drowsy, but mild drowsiness is not uncommon. Benadryl induces severe drowsiness. If you take the two drugs within 12 to 24 hours of each other, you’re going to greatly increase your chances of being unable to remain awake.
Long-Term Use
Medications that are safe for short-term use can sometimes cause problems when taken over a long period. For example, opioids can play a crucial role in pain management but can have negative effects over time.
According to a review of long-term opioid therapy, the treatment is linked to constipation, breathing issues during sleep, fractures, glandular misfunction, and overdosing.
Severe and Less Common Side Effects
Statins are a common drug used to help people lower their cholesterol levels. Lipitor and Crestor are two well-known examples.
In rare instances, statins can result in the development of severe muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis. The condition can be responsible for pain, compromised liver function, kidney damage, and even death.
Another drug treatment with rare side effects is human growth hormone (HGH). HGH can help with muscle and bone development. It can also increase testosterone in both men and women whose levels are too low.
Most of the side effects associated with HGH are avoidable by following carefully the doctor’s instructions. Problems tend to occur when someone disregards or doesn’t seek the advice of a healthcare professional.
One side effect could be carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the wrist. Carpal tunnel syndrome is when the wrist swells to the point where it compresses the median nerve running along the wrist into the palm side of the hand. The increased pressure on the nerve can cause pain, weakness, or numbness.
Other reported rare side effects related to the use or misuse of HGH include:
- An increased risk of heart disease
- An increased risk of diabetes
- Growth of cancerous tumors
- Liver damage
- Fluid retention
- Enlarged facial, hand, and foot bones
- Muscle, joint, and nerve pain
- Prickly skin or numbness
- Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar
- Enlarged breasts among men
Conclusion
You should always ask about and expect side effects when taking medications. Remember to keep your doctors informed of your current medications to prevent a bad drug interaction. Fortunately, most drug side effects are minor, including growth hormone side effects, as long as you use the treatment as recommended.