The hidden dangers of everyday drugs Author: Hayley Alexander When did you las…

The hidden dangers of everyday drugs

Author: Hayley Alexander

When did you last pop a pill?

Chances are good that it was recently.

According to an Oxford Academic report, “medication use, including both prescribed medicines and over the counter products has increased dramatically over the last two decades. The number of people taking five or more items quadrupled from 12 to 49%, while the proportion of people who did not take any medication has decreased from around one in five to one in 13.”

Certainly, there are many good reasons to take medication, be it over the counter or prescribed by your doctor. It is now worth noting that this piece in no way suggests or endorses any change in medication without first consulting your primarily healthcare provider.

But no matter how ‘safe’ or ‘mild’ the dose, the fact remains that the side-effects of some medications are real, and even lethal.

And sometimes that one in 10 000 is you.

I know. At the age of 21, that one was me. I developed a thrombosis, (in my case, a brain clot) as a result of being put on the contraceptive pill.

Here are some of the dangers of over the counter (OTC) everyday drugs:

Cold and flu tablets – According to the US National Library of Medicine (NLM), this group of OTC medications are the most commonly sold, including nasal decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine, and cough syrups. They can cause allergic reactions resulting in difficulty breathing, hives and rash symptoms.

In rare cases, pseudoephedrine abuse can even cause hallucinations. Men, particularly those with an enlarged prostate should also be cautious when taking certain anti-histamines as they may result in obstruction of urine flow. One should also be aware of the effects of drowsiness, which may affect driving.
Pain killers are the second highest sellers of OTC drugs. One common analgesic is paracetamol – everyone’s ‘go-to’ drug for headaches, mild pain and fever. While the widespread belief is that the drug is mild and relatively safe if taken at the recommended dose, it can cause kidney and liver problems. Furthermore, overdosing on paracetamol may result in “dangerously high blood pressure, blurred vision, chest pain, uneven heartbeats and seizure,” according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta in a report for Everyday Health.

Anti-inflammatories (or NSAIDs – nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) e.g. ibuprofen, are commonly used to treat symptoms of back pain and arthritis. According to Harvard Health Medical School, while they work quite well to reduce fever and inflammation, their potential negative side effects include kidney damage, easy bruising, gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as raising risks for heart problems.

Aspirin – Many people take aspirin as blood thinners as a precaution for preventing the onset of a heart attack. However, according to Mayo Clinic, “there's some disagreement among experts about whether the benefits of aspirin outweigh its potential risks,” such as bleeding ulcers, stroke caused by burst blood vessels (haemorrhagic stroke) and some serious allergic reactions. The use of aspirin can also exacerbate asthma.

Even prescription drugs require a closer look

You should also always tell your pharmacist if you have any known allergies, if you are on any other medication or if you’re using any supplements which could have adverse reactions in terms of drug interactions.
The wonders of modern medicine are real. But it’s always worth being informed about what goes into your body … including the pills.

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