What does is mean to have a side effect of a medication?
What does is mean to have a side effect of a medication?
Side effects, also known as adverse reactions, are unwanted undesirable effects that are possibly related to a drug. Side effects can vary from minor problems like a runny nose to life-threatening events, such as a heart attack or liver damage.
How do you know if medication has side effects?
All prescription drugs, and many OTC products, must be labeled with a toll-free number the agency has for letting it know about side effects with drugs, called “adverse events.” You can report possible new but severe side effects through MedWatch at 1-800-FDA-1088 or through the FDA website.
How soon can you experience side effects from medication?
Most allergic reactions occur within hours to two weeks after taking the medication and most people react to medications to which they have been exposed in the past.
Why medications cause side effects?!?
Side effects happen when a treatment causes a problem because it does more than treat the target issue….These include:
- dosage, which may need adjusting.
- an individual reaction to an ingredient in the drug.
- a drug killing one type of unwanted cell but also destroying healthy cells.
- interactions between drugs.
How do you get rid of side effects from drugs?
Prevention and management strategies:
- Increase water intake and fiber content of your diet (if appropriate)
- Exercise, if possible.
- If mild, talk to your doctor about taking laxatives such as docusate, sennosides, or psyllium.
- If severe and caused by opioids, talk to your doctor about methylnaltrexone or naloxegol.
How can I overcome the side effects of tablets?
Do side effects happen straight away?
Side effects can happen at any time. They can occur when you first take a medicine, with changes in dosage, or if you stop taking the medicine suddenly or too soon. If you begin to take other prescriptions or non-prescription products, interactions among the medicines may cause side effects as well.