Drug Side Effects
Every drug or treatment has side effects, unintended occurrences that result from taking a medication. Mild side effects are normal and often dissipate shortly after beginning a new medication. But everyone reacts differently to medication, and it’s important to know when these effects go from troublesome to dangerous.
Click through the slideshow to learn about drug side effects you shouldn’t ignore.
Excessive Drowsiness or Delirium
Drowsiness is a common side effect of some drugs — particularly pain, sleeping, and psychiatric medications. However, when drowsiness becomes so intense that it hinders daily life, it’s time to take a closer look. In addition, episodes of altered sleep, such as sleepwalking, night terrors, or aggressive behavior, are problematic. Dizziness and delirium (a rapid change in mental state) are also red flags. Sudden, severe confusion, disorientation, personality or behavior changes, and problems with concentration or memory need to be addressed with a healthcare professional.
Amnesia
Some medications not only cause problems with concentration, but also with memory. Although amnesia is rare, some prescription drugs may cause short-term memory loss. If you experience a notable loss of memory, you need to consult your doctor or therapist to explore other potential medication options.
Changes in Bowel or Urinary Habits
What constitutes a normal bowel movement or urination frequency varies widely, but there are certain warning signs that might indicate significant health issues. Bloody or black stools, perpetual diarrhea or constipation, or bladder control problems might be signals that the body does not agree with a given medication. Call your doctor if you experience any of these unusual or unexplained changes in your bowel or urinary habits.
Excessive Weight Loss
Weight fluctuation is a common side effect of many prescription drugs. Weight gain or weight loss is a normal result of new medication. Although it is a rare side effect, sustained and dramatic weight loss without explanation may signal a health problem. If you’ve lost up to 10 percent of your weight in the past six months, you should see your doctor.
Muscle Pain or Weakness
Some medications interfere with the proteins in muscle. This problem, known as myopathy, is rare but has been associated with use of statins, a medication used to reduce cholesterol levels. The destruction of muscle tissue can be harmful to a body. If you begin to feel pain or weakness, stiffness, or cramping in your muscles after taking a new medication, particularly a statin, consult a doctor.
Problems with Vision or Other Senses
Certain medications leave a strange aftertaste, but if you experience dramatic or sustained sensory alteration, this might indicate more severe problems. Problematic symptoms include distorted taste, loss of smell, ringing in the ears, blurred vision, dry eyes, and hallucination. These side effects may be mild and not a source of worry, but if you experience them all at once or to a notable degree, you should contact your physician.
Colored Urine
If your urine is any color other than clear, yellow, or yellowish-orange, it could indicate serious problem with your internal organs. Some prescription drugs can change the color of your urine just by passing through your system, but if your urine is black, purple, green, or blue, you should consult a doctor.
More Information
As stated before, every drug has side effects. Read more on individual kinds of antidepressant medication to learn what kind of side effects you might experience.
