Over the previous decade, the amount of prescription medications that Americans are taking has gone up by 85%. Prescription drugs have become a huge part of the American way of life, with more than half of all citizens taking regularly prescribed medications.
Although many of these medications are used to treat chronic illnesses, the rate at which doctors prescribe drugs is concerning to some individuals who have witnessed the negative side effects of prescription drugs on a person’s health.
Over the counter drugs are also capable of posing risks to those who use them, and they are often used regularly to treat the symptoms of individuals who are avoiding doctor’s visits. Whether the medications are over-the-counter drugs or prescribed medicines, medication can often cause adverse effects, especially when their instructions aren’t followed properly.
Even when the instructions are followed, there can be risks when combining certain medications. In order to use medications safely, individuals must take precautions to avoid drug interactions.
Opioid Crisis Impact
Prescription drugs can have a major impact on a person’s life, especially when they pose the risk of developing an addiction in a patient. This occurs most commonly with opioids in people who suffer severe injuries or surgeries that require high doses of medications as part of the recovery process.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Roughly 21 to 29 percent of patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain misuse them. Between 8 and 12 percent develop an opioid use disorder.”
Opioids have been described as a gateway drug, as so many people who are prescribed them become addicted, which can lead to serious life consequences and even death. As of January 2019, fatal opioid overdoses took the lives of more than 130 people every day. With such serious risks of becoming addicted, you’d expect that there might be more precautions taken when prescribing opioids to patients, such as rehabilitation services — however, people are often given opioids without ample warning, and when misused, addiction becomes even more likely.
Negative Health Complications
Even with drugs considered “less risky,” there exists the potential for negative health complications when taking prescription medications. These can range from minor health changes like weight gain, but can include really dangerous issues like pregnancy complications. Whatever the issue, it’s important to be wary of the life-altering effects prescription drugs can have on you.
Weight Gain
One common consequence of prescription drug use is weight gain or other weight change, although this affects each person differently. While some medications are known to cause side effects like weight gain, the likeliness of this ultimately depends on the person.
Some drugs that often result in weight gain include:
- Drugs for mental health issues like depression
- Medication used to treat diabetes (type 2)
- Drugs for high blood pressure
- Medications used to treat seizures
- Certain allergy medications
- Medications for pain and inflammation
While weight gain is not often a serious complication, it can be really bothersome to those who experience it. It can also be a negative effect for some individuals who are already overweight, as large amounts of weight gain in a short period of time can cause health complications.
Between 2015 and 2016, there were more than 93 million adults considered obese in the U.S., which is almost 40% of the population. When taking medications that have the potential to cause weight gain, individuals should adjust their lifestyle to prevent excessive weight gain.
Pregnancy Risks
Some prescription medications can cause problems with pregnancy for expectant mothers. For this reason, many medications contain warnings that indicate users should talk to their doctors before taking these medications if they are pregnant.
Doctors treating expectant moms may change their treatment plans to avoid providing them with medications that may pose risks to the health of the mother and baby, such as potentially causing birth defects in the child.
There can be a large number of consequences for mothers who take prescription drugs during pregnancy without consulting their doctor. Even if a medication that doesn’t alter a person’s state of mind, it’s important to address treatment plans to ensure they are safe to take during pregnancy. Some medications can result in premature birth, which can endanger the baby’s life.
Impaired Driving
Some prescription medications can and do indeed alter a person’s state of mind, putting them at risk in normal day-to-day situations. Some medicines can have similar effects to drugs or alcohol, and can result in a person driving under-the-influence.
Some common medications can cause dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision and vertigo, as well as many other symptoms that could result in impaired driving. This can be dangerous for both the user and those sharing the road.
Prolonged Use Risks
While some medications are meant for short-term use, like an antibiotic, other medications for chronic conditions may require prolonged or daily use to help manage a health issue. The problem this can sometimes pose is that some medications can cause damage with chronic use.
For example, prescription PPIs used to manage GERD are typically only approved for eight weeks of use, but in some cases are used longer or on a frequent basis. Long-term use of these pose such risks as magnesium and vitamin B12 deficiencies, stomach polyps, gastrointestinal infections, and more.
Prescription drugs, as well as over-the-counter drugs, can cause many kinds of adverse effects depending on the person, their situation, and their body. Although medications can be extremely helpful in mitigating symptoms that are impacting your life, it’s often best to seek natural treatment methods before taking drugs. When you do take any type of medication, it’s best to talk to your doctor about it to ensure your medication is the best course of treatment for you.
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