Question: Recently I was taking an over-the-counter cold medicine, and I started experiencing pain in my back. A friend said that when she took the same pill, it made her back hurt, too. I stopped taking the pill, and my back quit hurting. This was not listed on the package as a side-effect. Should I ever take this pill again? Will this side-effect hurt me?
Answer: This is a very interesting question, since all medications produce side-effects. The side-effects can range from very mild to life threatening. When taking any medication, either prescription or over-the-counter, make sure the benefits outweigh the risk of harm from the medication. If you doubt that a medication is worth taking considering its possible risks, discuss the matter with a pharmacist or your family physician, who knows your personal medical history and your experience with the drug.
Typically, the most serious side-effect of a medicine is an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can range from very mild, like a slight rash, to life threatening. A life-threatening allergic reaction causes swelling of the face and airways, associated with difficulty breathing and/or wheezing. This type of reaction can come on very quickly after taking a medication and requires immediate medical attention in an emergency room. These reactions are treated with antihistamines and steroids, often administered intravenously. If you have a severe reaction to a medication, be sure to notify your family physician and your pharmacist to make sure that your allergy to the medication is noted in your medical file and on your allergy list at your pharmacy. You should not take that medication ever again. There also may be similar medications that could cause the same reaction. Your pharmacist can help you identify and avoid those drugs.
As for all other medication side-effects, most are just a bother, but some are an indication to stop taking the particular medication or modify the dose. Most side-effects cause little harm, but fatigue or rapid heartbeat may lead your physician to change or alter the dosage.
Ideally, your doctor will try a different medication rather than making you put up with uncomfortable side-effects, but sometimes there is no alternative medication. Some medicines, like blood thinners for certain conditions, are necessary, regardless of the side-effects they cause. If your physician determines that the benefit outweighs any risks or potential annoyance you face from taking the medication, you must learn to live with the side-effects.
Never stop taking prescriptions without first consulting a physician. Instead, make an appointment with your primary care doctor to discuss your prescription side-effects. For over-the-counter medications, describe the problem to your local pharmacist and ask for recommended alternatives.
