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Over-the-Counter Drugs Carry Dangers
A story with wide impact
appeared on the June 8, 2004 online InteliHealth website and ran at headline
with a stern message that read, "A Dangerous Myth: If It's Over The Counter,
It Must Be Safe". The article, by Robert H. Shmerling, M.D. of Beth
Israel Deaconess Medical Center starts off by noting how easy it is for
anyone with a symptom to go to their local store and purchase an
over-the-counter drug.
The article notes that,
"there is no such thing as risk-free medication". They list some of the
problems that can occur which include:
- Wrong treatment for
the problem - Taking the wrong over the counter medication for the set
of self-diagnosed health issues.
- Side Effects - All
medications carry the risk of side effects. Some, in certain instances
can be serious.
- Drug interactions -
They note that any drug, even over the counter drugs, can interact with
any other drugs. The results can be serious and unpredictable.
- Worsening of existing
illness - The article notes that sometimes nonprescription medications
may cause a pre-existing problem to worsen.
- Nonprescription
medicines are often taken incorrectly - A common problem is when
over-the-counter medicine is taken more frequently or in higher doses
than recommended.
- Duplicate medicines -
Some over the counter medications are similar to prescription drugs and
can cause overdoses when taken with them.
- Unpredictable
reactions - In this area the article notes, "Just because a medicine is
available without a prescription does not eliminate the rare and
unpredictable allergic reaction."
The author recommends
caution. He recommends that you "Read the fine print." They also
recommend, "Pay particular attention to warnings about conditions you might
have that would make the medicine more risky." |