Friday, October 9, 2009

Types Of Side Effects Of Prescription Drugs

By Allan Tan

The side effects of prescription drugs are undesirable physical effects of the medication. When prescription medication is ingested, it often affects the body in more ways than treating the condition that is prescribed to treat.

Prescription drugs are typically chemical compounds that may affect several body organs and systems. Prescribed drugs may have a negative impact on the functioning of organs and organ systems that are not related to the condition that the medication is prescribed to treat.

Doctors consider the risk of side effects with the patient's need for the desired effect when prescribing medication. Patients should feel free to ask their doctors about the possible side effects and risks of the medication being prescribed.

Gastrointestinal problems are common side effect. Gastrointestinal side effects can include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, or flatulence. The gastrointestinal side effects can be abnormal gastrointestinal functioning such as anal leakage.

Some of side effects of prescription drugs are caused by the medication affecting the brain and nervous system. Headaches, blurred vision, muscle spasms, tremor, lack of coordination, and difficulty sleeping are examples of nervous system side effects.

The skin may be affected by side effects. Hives, rash, skin discoloration, and skin dryness are examples of possible negative effects of prescription drugs.

When prescription drugs are filled, they often come with fact sheets that include information about possible side effects. People seeking more information about possible side effects can often find such information on prescription medication websites.

In addition to side effects, negative and sometimes fatal effects can be caused by drug interactions. Drug interactions occur when a combination of two or more drugs result in a toxic reaction.

The patient should inform the doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medication and supplements that the person is taking before the doctor prescribes any new medication. As a safeguard, some pharmacies check for possible interactions of the prescriptions that the customer is taking.

If side effects are problematic, the patient should discuss the side effects with their doctor. Side effects may be lessons with a change in dosage. The doctor may also prescribe a different medication that offers the same benefits.

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