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Drug Side Effects - Medical Negligence
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Drug side effects are also known as medication side effects and can represent anything from dizziness to dry mouth to muscle pains, among others. Drug side effects are those things an individual experiences apart from the intended effects of the medication. Sometimes drug side effects are known at the time of the study of the medication and are listed on the drug labeling as a possible side effect. Other times, it is only after a medication has been in use by the public for awhile that it is clear a side effect has been established.
Drug side effects must occur in one percent or more of those taking it to be considered a side effect. Side effects can occur when a medication is started, decreased or increased in dosage. A side effect can happen when you stop using a medication. Some side effects include fatigue, muscle aches and pains, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, headache, sore throat, itching or dry mouth. Some side effects are mild and don't really need medical attention. Other side effects are serious and need medical attention. The doctor may want to stop the medication altogether, switch to a different medication or alter the dosage of the same medication. Remember that the medication may need to be increased in order to stop a side effect. Everyone should see their doctor if a side effect is something they cannot handle.
All medications have the potential to cause side effects. On the other hand, there are people who are taking many different medications at once and are experiencing no side effects. The likelihood to cause side effects varies with age, sex, weight and your baseline health. Even things like ethnicity or race can determine how serious your side effects are to certain drugs. The things to pay attention to regarding side effects are the duration of the drug side effects and the severity of the side effects.
Talk to your doctor about a side effect if it gives you serious symptoms, if the side effect does not pass after a few days or weeks or if it is side effect that was not explained to you as a possible side effect in advance. It is the responsibility of the pharmacist, the product insert and the doctor combined to tell you what you can expect from a drug side effect.
A more complete list of possible side effects are as follows:
- Pain in the Abdomen
- Blurry vision
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Headaches or dizziness
- Loss of appetite
- Memory loss
- Heart palpitations
- Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Coordination difficulty
- Hives or other skin rash
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
In some cases, laboratory testing is done to make sure the medication isn't affecting a body organ or function. This can include checking liver functions before and during the taking of statin drugs for cholesterol. Blood cell counts may need to be checked when taking other medications. For Lithium, a thyroid test is done periodically to assess the need to decrease the medication.
If you experience a side effect, you should not stop taking the medication unless your doctor advises you to stop. You should call 911 if you have a medication reaction that is severe or potentially life threatening. For minor concerns, think about the risks versus the benefits of the drug. Some drugs have minor side effects but are the only good drug to manage your condition. In such cases, it is necessary to take the medication and deal with the side effect. Again, ask your physician for advice.
You can find information regarding the drug side effects of the medication you are taking by talking to your physician or to the local pharmacist. Your pharmacist will understand the totality of the drugs you are taking and you should tell him or her about the over the counter medications or herbal medications you are taking along with prescription drugs. If there are any specific warnings regarding the medication, the pharmacist is required to give you a medication guide as required by the US FDA to make sure you know what side effects are most common and most serious.