WBAY-TV Two Your Health
http://www.wbay.com/health/1211.html


Avoiding Adverse Drug Side Effects

 
Medicine is supposed to help you get better, but few-- if any-- medications
come without side effects. Some can be mild, but others can be
life-threatening. Every time you take a pill, you're introducing a chemical
into your body. Even all-natural vitamins are chemicals. Virtually every
medicine we take has some potential side effect.
 
In this week's "Journal of the American Medical Association," researchers
found that nearly one-third of patients may experience adverse drug
reactions, but not all reactions are equal. Researchers classified them in
two groups: Type A and Type B. 

Type A reactions are defined as common and predictable, and can occur in
anyone. These make up 80% of all adverse reactions. Causes include taking
more than the recommended dose, and interactions with other medications. "I
see a lot of drug interactions," pharmacist Ira Katz said. "In particular
with patients taking multiple medications, mainly the elderly." Drowsiness
and/or nausea are the most-common side effects. 

Type B reactions are uncommon and unpredictable, occuring only in a small
group of patients. Reasons include intolerance, an adverse effect that
occurs with a very low dose, allergic reactions and uncharacteristic
reactions to a drug. 

You can protect yourself from adverse drug reactions by always reading the
label. Most drugs will tell you what side effects to watch out for. Even
more important, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your medication(s).
Katz said, "In many instances, a lot of these adverse reactions can be
eliminated. If we indeed can educate the patient, the consumer, to ask the
questions, to communicate with the pharmacist and with his or her doctor as
to, 'Is it okay to take this medication?'" 

Most of all, don't be shy. If you ask a question and you don't understand
the answer, ask it again or ask it to be explained in another way. It could
save your life.