It has become very common to take "pills" also known as drugs or medicine. They could have been prescribed by your doctor or you could have got it from your friendly neighborhood pharmacy store, but the question is, do you know what you are taking and whether it suits you.
Before we say the the 3 things which you should know, let us narrate a story.
A 57 year old lady, who was very active in social circle and lead a balanced life developed palpitations. Two or three episodes of palpitation were diagnosed as Supra Ventricular Tachycardia by a Cardiologist. She was asked to take Diltiazem 90 mg SR tablet. The timing of all this coincided with a marriage in the family. This lady who used to live with more than 5 members at home was now staying alone at home. During the same period she started developing giddiness, anxiety, vertigo and other associated symptoms. The general conclusion was it must be "Empty Nest Syndrome". Progressively her symptoms deteriorated. She became overtly anxious and dependent. A neurologist consultation was followed with MRI. The MRI came as normal and she was supplemented with brain tonics. The placebo effect of the drugs made her feel better but only temporarily. Her vertigo would not subside and she was afraid of traveling. She was hating herself for the loss of independence. She was also sick and tired of explaining her complaints.
At this juncture we happened to observe her. We also took time to decipher her problems. Confounding family history, possibility of chronic fatigue syndrome, BPPV made it difficult to help her. When we took a step back and looked at it, we realized it coincided with introduction of tablet Diltiazem. We reduced her dosage to 1/4th of what she was taking and lo behold! her symptoms reduced. She slowly started feeling better. The BPPV exercises also helped. 5-7% of patients who take Diltiazem develop neurological and psychological symptoms. Her Cardiologist initially refused to believe that her symptoms were due to Diltiazem, but now that she is totally off Diltiazem, her giddiness has completely vanished and her anxiety is also no longer there. It is a different matter that she has been advised to take Aspirin 75 mg for which she has developed gastritis! The Cardiologist wants her to continue Aspirin.
Now coming back to what 3 things you should know before you take medicines?
1. Know about your allergy: Do you have any allergy towards medicines? If so, state it to your doctor. Allergies can develop at any point of time. You might have been taking a particular medicine since childhood but you may develop the allergy when you become 45 year old. Also if you develop a rash on thigh or any body part after taking a drug, it is called as fixed drug reaction. You need to inform about it to your doctor.
2. Know about side effects: Ask your doctor about common as well as rare side effects of the medicine you are going to take. This is especially true for chronic medications. Your doctor may know the common side effects but would be unaware about rare ones.
3. Know about how long you are supposed to take your medicine: Many people continue to take drugs beyond the prescribed duration or stop taking because they feel better. Both harm you. Few medicines cannot be stopped abruptly. They need to be reduced gradually.
Know your medicines and take them wisely.
Wishing you health always.
Before we say the the 3 things which you should know, let us narrate a story.
A 57 year old lady, who was very active in social circle and lead a balanced life developed palpitations. Two or three episodes of palpitation were diagnosed as Supra Ventricular Tachycardia by a Cardiologist. She was asked to take Diltiazem 90 mg SR tablet. The timing of all this coincided with a marriage in the family. This lady who used to live with more than 5 members at home was now staying alone at home. During the same period she started developing giddiness, anxiety, vertigo and other associated symptoms. The general conclusion was it must be "Empty Nest Syndrome". Progressively her symptoms deteriorated. She became overtly anxious and dependent. A neurologist consultation was followed with MRI. The MRI came as normal and she was supplemented with brain tonics. The placebo effect of the drugs made her feel better but only temporarily. Her vertigo would not subside and she was afraid of traveling. She was hating herself for the loss of independence. She was also sick and tired of explaining her complaints.
At this juncture we happened to observe her. We also took time to decipher her problems. Confounding family history, possibility of chronic fatigue syndrome, BPPV made it difficult to help her. When we took a step back and looked at it, we realized it coincided with introduction of tablet Diltiazem. We reduced her dosage to 1/4th of what she was taking and lo behold! her symptoms reduced. She slowly started feeling better. The BPPV exercises also helped. 5-7% of patients who take Diltiazem develop neurological and psychological symptoms. Her Cardiologist initially refused to believe that her symptoms were due to Diltiazem, but now that she is totally off Diltiazem, her giddiness has completely vanished and her anxiety is also no longer there. It is a different matter that she has been advised to take Aspirin 75 mg for which she has developed gastritis! The Cardiologist wants her to continue Aspirin.
Now coming back to what 3 things you should know before you take medicines?
1. Know about your allergy: Do you have any allergy towards medicines? If so, state it to your doctor. Allergies can develop at any point of time. You might have been taking a particular medicine since childhood but you may develop the allergy when you become 45 year old. Also if you develop a rash on thigh or any body part after taking a drug, it is called as fixed drug reaction. You need to inform about it to your doctor.
2. Know about side effects: Ask your doctor about common as well as rare side effects of the medicine you are going to take. This is especially true for chronic medications. Your doctor may know the common side effects but would be unaware about rare ones.
3. Know about how long you are supposed to take your medicine: Many people continue to take drugs beyond the prescribed duration or stop taking because they feel better. Both harm you. Few medicines cannot be stopped abruptly. They need to be reduced gradually.
Know your medicines and take them wisely.
Wishing you health always.
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