Drug-Drug Interactions

Cough Medicine

Decongestants

Antihistamines

Acetaminophen

Aspirin and NSAIDs

Potential Side Effects of OTC Medicines in Adults

While OTC medicines have a low risk of side effects when used occasionally by healthy adults, they can pose risks for very young children, the elderly, people with kidney problems, and people taking more than one medicine. These people have an increased risk of side effects when they OTC medicines. Potential side effects are described below.

The main side effect associated with aspirin and other NSAIDs is gastrointestinal (GI) problems. These problems can range from upset stomach to GI bleeding, a serious event that is more likely to occur in older people. The chances of experiencing GI problems from NSAIDs or aspirin increase the larger the dose you take and the longer you take them. NSAIDs can cause a variety of side effects related to kidney function. These side effects range from reversible inflammation to permanent kidney damage. Aspirin and NSAIDs may make high blood pressure worse or interfere with blood pressure medicines. High doses of aspirin pose a risk of liver damage for people who have liver disease, juvenile arthritis, or rheumatic fever.

Although safe in the Majority of users, long-term use of high doses of acetaminophen, especially in products that also contain caffeine (such as Excedrin) or codeine (such as Tylenol with Codeine), has been shown to cause a form of kidney disease called analgesic nephropathy. This serious condition may develop after years or decades of daily use.

Antihistamines can cause sedation or drowsiness and, therefore, can significantly impair a person’s ability to drive or operate machinery. The sedative effects of antihistamines may increase the risk of falling. Antihistamines can also cause dry mouth or eyes.

Pseudoephedrine can temporarily cause nervousness, dizziness and sleeplessness. It can make you lose your appetite or retain urine. It can also cause heart palpitations, high blood pressure, or high blood sugar levels.

Codeine, when used as a cough suppressant, can temporarily cause nausea, sedation and constipation. Dextromethorphan, the medicine in Drixoral, Pertussin CS and Robitussin, has a lower risk of sedation and GI side effects. It can, however, cause feelings of confusion, agitation, nervousness, or irritability.

There body processes or metabolizes every drug differently. If drugs are used together, their metabolism and effect on there body can change. When this happens, the chance that you will have side effects for each drug may become greater.

Дата добавления: 2015-01-03