The drug side effects you should never ignore

Both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can have side effects. According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, “side effects, also known as adverse events, are unwanted or unexpected events or reactions to a drug.” While some side effects are minor and disappear after treatment, others can result in more severe health problems. It’s important to discuss side effects with your doctor and pharmacist and learn ways to reduce these adverse reactions.



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Dizziness

This “deficit in spatial perception that leaves people feeling lightheaded, unbalanced or disoriented is one of the most common side effects of prescription drugs,” according to Victoria Stern’s Scientific American article. Dizziness can lead to injury from falls. So, speak with your doctor if you experience this symptom when taking medication. They might lower your dose, prescribe a different drug, or make recommendations, such as balance exercises and diet changes, to improve dizziness.



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Stomach pain

When a drug disrupts the stomach’s mucous lining production, it can lead to stomach pain. Painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), “are the drugs that most commonly cause stomach irritation,” according to Amber J. Tresca’s article for Verywell Health. Inflammation of the stomach lining is called gastritis, and “when the inflammation progresses it can lead to bleeding, ulcers (sores in the stomach lining), or rarely, a perforation (a hole in the stomach).” Speak with your doctor if you are experiencing stomach pain from medication, and follow their tips to avoid gastritis, such as taking your medication with food.



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Drowsiness

Drowsiness is “one of the most commonly reported side effects of some medications,” according to Harvard Health Publishing. “Feeling sleepy throughout the day can interfere with your quality of life, possibly hurting your performance at work or keeping you from participating in daytime activities. Drowsiness can also increase your risk of falling, which can lead to injury and disability, and it can affect your ability to drive safely.” If you experience severe drowsiness, contact your doctor to adjust the dose or change medications.



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Diarrhea

Many medicines can cause diarrhea, especially antibiotics. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of mild diarrhea will likely disappear after you are finished taking a medication. But if your diarrhea is more severe, you will need to notify your doctor. They might recommend stopping treatment until the symptoms subside. To help reduce symptoms, drink enough hydrating fluids, avoid fatty and spicy foods, and consider taking probiotics to replenish the healthy bacteria in your digestive tract.



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Rash

“Most drug rashes result from an allergic reaction to a drug,” according to Julia Benedetti’s Merck Manual article. But “sometimes a rash develops directly without involving an allergic reaction. […] Drug rashes vary in severity from mild redness with tiny bumps over a small area to peeling of the entire skin.” If you develop a rash, your doctor might recommend stopping the drug and prescribe “antihistamines and corticosteroid creams to relieve itching.”



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Nausea

Antibiotics, aspirin, NSAIDs, and blood pressure drugs can cause nausea, according to Harvard Health Publishing. “Report drug-induced nausea to your doctor if it’s interfering with your daily activities, keeping you from eating properly, or causing weight loss or dehydration.” Taking the medication with food can help reduce nausea, says pharmacist Joanne Doyle Petrongolo, who also recommends “avoiding fatty or fried foods, which take longer to digest and may increase the risk of nausea; avoiding lying down flat when resting; and taking a medication at bedtime, to ‘sleep off’ potential nausea.”



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Dry mouth

Dry mouth is “a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet,” according to the Mayo Clinic. Dry mouth can be uncomfortable and cause complications such as “increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease; mouth sores; yeast infection in your mouth (thrush); sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth, or cracked lips; [and] poor nutrition from having problems with chewing and swallowing.” If you experience persistent dry mouth, speak with your doctor. They may recommend products to help moisturize your mouth.



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Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations “are feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering or pounding heart,” according to the Mayo Clinic. “Although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they’re usually harmless,” especially if they “are infrequent and last only a few seconds.” But “if you have a history of heart disease and have palpitations that occur frequently or worsen, talk to your doctor.” And “seek emergency medical attention if heart palpitations are accompanied by: chest discomfort or pain; fainting; severe shortness of breath; [or] severe dizziness.”



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Vomiting

Vomiting is a side effect of drugs that often accompanies nausea. According to Benjamin Wedro’s MedicineNet article, it’s important to drink clear fluids to stay hydrated when experiencing vomiting. If symptoms last for more than 24 hours, seek medical care. And if symptoms “are associated with pain, fever, vomiting blood, or having bloody or black, tarry bowel movements, medical care should be sought immediately.”



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Fatigue

Fatigue is a common side effect of antidepressants, according to Nancy Schimelpfening’s Verywell Mind article. To help reduce tiredness, take a 20-minute nap during the day and take your medication at night unless your doctor recommends otherwise. Also, consider going for a walk since “regular low-intensity exercise could reduce fatigue by as much as 65%.” And if this side effect doesn’t wear off after several weeks, speak with your doctor.



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Tinnitus

Tinnitus is “ringing or other noises in one or both of your ears” in the absence of external noises, according to the Mayo Clinic. “A number of medications may cause or worsen tinnitus. Generally, the higher the dose of these medications, the worse tinnitus becomes. Often the unwanted noise disappears when you stop using these drugs.” Tinnitus can reduce your quality of life. Speak with your doctor as soon as possible if “you have hearing loss or dizziness with the tinnitus” or “you are experiencing anxiety or depression as a result of your tinnitus.”



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Insomnia

Insomnia includes the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, according to Krista O’Connell’s Healthline article. While “almost everyone experiences insomnia from time to time,” if it’s ongoing, it can increase your risk for mental and physical health conditions. So, speak with your doctor if insomnia is negatively impacting your life. Also, consider making lifestyle changes to improve your sleep, such as exercise, relaxation techniques, and avoiding screens at least an hour before bed.



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Loss of appetite

If you have a loss of appetite, you “may have less of a desire to eat, lose interest in food, or feel nausea at the idea of eating,” according to Beth Sissons’s article for Medical News Today. “Alongside a loss of appetite, a person may also experience fatigue and weight loss if they are not eating enough food to sustain their body.” If your medication is causing a loss of appetite, try low-intensity exercises to increase your appetite. Also, drink plenty of fluids and try eating several smaller high-protein and high-calorie meals during the day. Your doctor may also recommend adjusting your medication dosage or switching to a different medication.



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Chest pain

According to a 2018 study, “pill-induced esophagitis is a rare cause of acute chest pain. It is one of the potential side effects of commonly used drugs such as tetracycline, doxycycline, clindamycin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). […] Risk factors for the development of drug-induced esophagitis include use of a small quantity of water when swallowing medication, lying down during or immediately after drug ingestion, and the presence of underlying esophageal disorders.” If you suffer from chest pain, contact your doctor immediately. They might suggest discontinuing the medication and look into underlying conditions.



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Anxiety

Sometimes, medications used to treat depression and anxiety can actually cause anxiety. According to a Verywell Mind article by Nancy Schimelpfening, “occasionally, antidepressants may also create feelings of anxiety and jitteriness as a side effect. This effect, sometimes known as activation syndrome, usually occurs in the early days of treatment. […] When you begin taking a new antidepressant, it may take some time for your body to adjust. Everyone is different, which is why it’s important to communicate with your doctor about any side effects that you experience, including increased anxiety. Most importantly, if you experience suicidal thoughts, seek medical help right away.”



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Headache

Headaches are a common side effect of many drugs. And sometimes, regular, long-term use of medication to treat headaches and migraines can cause medication overuse headaches, according to the Mayo Clinic. While occasional headaches are common, some can be serious. So “seek medical care if your headache: is sudden and severe; accompanies a fever, stiff neck, rash, confusion, seizure, double vision, weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking; follows a head injury; gets worse despite rest and pain medication; is a new type that’s persistent, especially in someone older than 50; occurs with shortness of breath; [or] happens when you’re upright but goes away if you’re lying flat.”



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Shortness of breath

Some medicines can damage the lungs, causing drug-induced pulmonary disease, according to an article from MedlinePlus. Shortness of breath is just one of the many severe symptoms of this lung damage, and if left untreated, it can cause severe complications. Contact a medical professional immediately if you have difficulty breathing. “Acute episodes usually go away within 48 to 72 hours after the medicine has been stopped.”



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Itching

According to research by Toshiya Ebata, “drug-induced itch is defined as generalized itching without skin lesions, caused by a drug. […] Some drugs such as opioids, antimalarials, and hydroxyethyl starch are known to induce itching without skin lesions.” Your doctor will recommend how to manage drug-induced itch if you cannot discontinue the medication.



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Swelling

Angioedema—swelling of the lips, tongue, and face—is a side effect of some drugs, including blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors), according to Harvard Health Publishing. “Severe cases can cause hoarseness, throat tightness, or difficulty breathing, symptoms that demand urgent medical attention. […] The swelling usually disappears within a day or two, but it can recur—and become more severe—if you keep taking the medication. In most cases, stopping the ACE inhibitor resolves the symptoms, and a different drug can be safely substituted.”



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Jaundice

“Jaundice is a term used to describe a yellowish tinge to the skin and the whites of the eye,” according to Caroline Gillott’s article for Medical News Today. Itchiness and dark urine are other symptoms of jaundice. “Jaundice most often happens as a result of an underlying disorder that either causes the production of too much bilirubin or prevents the liver from getting rid of it. Both of these result in bilirubin being deposited in tissues.” Treatment for drug-induced jaundice “involves changing to an alternative medication.”



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