We've all taken medicine for some kind of illness at some point in our lives, right? Maybe it's a simple aspirin. Or maybe it's a special medicine prescribed by a doctor. But have you ever thought that everything, from the simplest pill to the most expensive medicine, can have a small 'side effect'? Some of these are very minor, some are just a minor annoyance, and some can be quite serious.
What exactly are side effects?
Simply put, a side effect is any effect that occurs in our body when we take a medicine, in addition to the main action expected of that medicine (curing the disease).
The most common side effects we are most familiar with are digestive problems. Feeling nauseous, feeling like your stomach is turning, feeling like you have an upset stomach. In fact, with any medication, this can happen to a small number of people. If we are taking a medication for the skin, we may experience some redness or itching on the skin.
If you want to know about the side effects of a medication, it's usually on the label of the medication (Over-the-Counter - OTC) you buy from a pharmacy. These are listed in a long list in the package insert that comes with a prescription.
But don't be scared by this long list! The best thing to do is talk to your doctor and ask them clearly what the possible side effects of this medication are and what precautions you should take.
Are there different types of side effects?
Yes, definitely. There can be several reasons for side effects. Let's look at the main types.
| Type of side effect | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | This can happen to any medication. It can range from skin irritation and itching to a severe anaphylactic reaction, which can be life-threatening and can cause difficulty breathing and facial swelling. |
| Things that occur due to the nature of the medicine | Some medications have side effects due to their chemical structure. For example, some medications used to treat depression (e.g., diphenhydramine) can cause drowsiness and dry mouth. This is because the medication also affects the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in our body. |
| Dose-dependent things | Some medications are safe when taken in the correct dosage. But if the dosage is a little off, problems arise. Like the drug Warfarin, which is given to prevent blood clotting. It is good if taken correctly, but if taken incorrectly, it can cause severe bleeding inside the body. |
| Drug Interactions | This can be very dangerous. For example, drinking alcohol with some narcotic painkillers can be fatal. Also, drinking some fruit juices (e.g. grapefruit juice) with some blood pressure and cholesterol medications can change the way those medications work. |
Be especially careful about drug interactions!
Therefore, when starting a new medication, it is essential to tell your doctor about other medications you are currently taking, vitamins, and your eating habits. This is very important.
Don't they test these things before a drug comes to the market?
In fact, before a medicine reaches our hands, it is given to animals and then to humans, and a lot of tests are done to see if it produces the expected results and is safe. After looking at these results, it is only when it is confirmed that the benefits of the medicine outweigh the possible risks that it is approved by the relevant drug regulatory authority (e.g., the FDA in the United States).
However, these tests do not catch everything. After the drug is on the market, and millions of people have started using it, some new side effects are reported. This is called 'post-marketing surveillance' . This is what programs like the FDA's MedWatch in the United States do. These institutions inform doctors and people taking the drug about new side effects.
Sometimes, if the information received this way is dangerous, they even take steps to remove that drug from the market.
- Example 1: When Raptiva , a drug used to treat psoriasis, was reported to cause brain infections, a black box warning was issued and it was later removed from the market.
- Example 2: When the cholesterol drug Baycol was discovered to cause fatal muscle damage, it was also removed within 4 years.
In Sri Lanka, if you experience a severe, new side effect, it is very important to inform your doctor about it. He or she can then report it to the relevant authorities.
Are all side effects bad? There are also some surprising benefits!
No, not all of them are bad. Some side effects are actually fortunate! Imagine, while searching for a cure for one disease, finding out that it causes something else good.
- Finasteride: This was originally developed as a treatment for enlarged prostate gland in men. But it was found that men who used it had hair growing back in their bald spots! It is now marketed as a treatment for baldness under the name Propecia.
- Minoxidil: This was first introduced as a pill for high blood pressure. Later, it was discovered that it also caused hair growth. Today, it is available as a cream or foam for baldness, and can be purchased from pharmacies.
So you see, right? Medicines are very complicated things. Therefore, it is wise to be well-informed about them and use them according to your doctor's instructions.
Take-Home Message
- Medicine is a friend that cures our illnesses, but don't forget that like all medicines, there can be side effects.
- Before starting a new medication, talk openly with your doctor about the possible side effects. Don't be afraid to take it.
- Tell your doctor about any other medications, vitamins, and your eating habits you are currently taking, as some things can cause problems when taken together.
- If you experience any unusual, severe symptoms (e.g., difficulty breathing, facial swelling, severe bruising) , go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Not all side effects are bad. Sometimes, you can get surprisingly good results.
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