Are you making this mistake? Experts warn about the side effects of medications

News Topical, Digital Desk : While medicines can provide relief from many ailments, they can also have side effects. A study conducted by the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Unit of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, SGPGI Hospital Administration Department, Lucknow, has revealed many such things. The research is based on an analysis of cases reported by the institute's Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Unit during 2024 (January to December). A total of 213 adverse drug reaction cases were recorded in the study. Of these, 155 cases were reported from various departments at SGPGI, while the remaining cases were reported from other medical centers in the state.

Research Adverse Drug Reactions

A retrospective observational study was conducted on the topic. The research team included Prof. R. Harsh Vardhan (Medical Superintendent and Professor), Dr. Saurabh Singh, Dr. Shalini Trivedi, Dr. Amol Jain, Dr. Vaishnavi Anand, Dr. Akshita Bansal, and Dr. Ankit Kumar Singh.

Increasing awareness among youth 

The study also revealed that the highest number of drug side effects were reported in patients aged 20 to 30 years. This is primarily due to the growing awareness of health among young people, who immediately report any problems they experience after taking medication to doctors or health workers, while older people often ignore these side effects, considering them normal. Prescribing medication without considering allergies, which can worsen the condition, is a major cause of side effects.

digestive system side effects

The study also found that intravenous medications are more likely to cause adverse effects. Skin and skin problems, such as rashes, itching, and allergic reactions, were reported in 35 percent of cases, while stomach and digestive system problems, such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, were reported in approximately 30 percent of cases.

Common causes of side effects

Giving medicines without considering age, weight, kidney-liver function, chronic diseases and allergies is a major cause of side effects. Every medicine has a fixed dosage. Taking more than this dosage can cause side effects like vomiting, dizziness, lethargy, falling blood pressure, effect on kidney or liver. Many patients take multiple medicines simultaneously or get treatment from different doctors. This can also cause drug interactions. This risk is higher in admitted patients because they are given injections, antibiotics, painkillers and other medicines simultaneously.

Avoid these mistakes

Not taking the medicine on time, skipping the medicine midway, changing the dosage on your own, taking the old leftover medicine again or taking someone else's medicine. Taking medicine brought from home by the admitted patients or their relatives without informing them can also be dangerous. If after taking the medicine, there is severe itching, difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face or lips, excessive sleepiness, confusion, continuous vomiting-diarrhea, less urination or rashes on the skin, then do not ignore it. Patients undergoing treatment at home should immediately contact the doctor and admitted patients should inform the nurse or doctor without delay.

Preventive measures

• Take medications as prescribed.
• Be sure to inform your doctor about all ongoing medications and allergies 
• Do not take any medicine without consulting your doctor and inform your doctor immediately if you notice any side effects.
• It is important to understand the list of medicines and dosage properly at the time of discharge.
• With proper information, caution and monitoring, side effects of medicines can be avoided to a great extent both at home and in the hospital.

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