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Risks of Taking OTC Drugs

Besides containing risks, over-the-counter medicines may not be suitable for curing your illness. The dangers of over-the-counter or over-the-counter drugs can carry risks and cause some side effects on your health, such as taking too much paracetamol can cause liver damage, cause dizziness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, risk of drug interactions, and risk of overdose. Medicines without a doctor's prescription or over-the-counter medicines can be purchased freely at drug stores. This drug is safe and effective when you follow the instructions on the label and direction of the pharmacist. Generally these drugs are consumed to treat mild symptoms that are considered not needing a consultation with a doctor, such as to reduce pain, pain, itching, toothache, and headaches.

Risks of using OTC drugs

Some people often use drugs that are sold freely without finding out the cause of the disease by seeing a doctor. Even though taking this type of medicine can endanger health, especially if it is not consumed according to the right dose or consumed in the long run. Here are some of the risks and contraindications to taking over-the-counter medicines, including:
  • A fairly common drug such as paracetamol is used for pain and fever relief. Too much taking this drug can cause poisoning and liver damage.
  • Combining the drug paracetamol and decongestant phenylephrine (PE) can cause serious side effects, which is to increase the level of PE in the blood fourfold. Increased levels of PE can cause dizziness, insomnia, and high blood pressure.
  • Commercially available aspirin can also interact poorly with a variety of drugs, such as blood-thinning drugs, antibiotics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  • Too much antihistamine can also cause seizures and abnormalities in your heart rate.
  • The dangers of other over-the-counter drugs are that they can cause side effects of drug or food interactions and are very dangerous, especially if the dose taken is excessive from the recommendations listed on the label.
  • People with high blood pressure need to avoid consuming decongestants and drugs that are high in sodium.
  • Not all medicines are appropriate for toddlers, like ibuprofen which should not be given to babies younger than six months.
  • The body of the elderly processes drugs differently than the younger group of people. In addition, side effects and drug interactions often run the risk because the elderly often take several other drugs at the same time.
  • Drugs in safe doses consumed by pregnant women can be dangerous for the fetus. For example, consumption of aspirin can increase the risk of miscarriage, disruption of blood clots, inhibit fetal growth, and prolong the delivery process.
  • Any drug, including over-the-counter drugs, cannot be taken if someone has an allergy to the drug.
If you are taking medication by prescription, ask your doctor first if you plan to take over-the-counter medicines. This is so as not to cause serious drug interactions or contraindications.

Overdose due to over-the-counter drug use

The dangers of over-the-counter medicines can arise if taken beyond the recommended dose, and can put you at risk of experiencing symptoms or even certain diseases. The type of side effects caused can differ according to the type of drug consumed. The following are some of the risks of disease due to excessive drug consumption:
  • Hepatotoxic, which is liver damage due to chemicals contained in medicines.
  • Irritation of the digestive system so that it can upset stomach, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Changes in body temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and heart rate.
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath due to interference with the lungs and heart.
  • Confusion.
  • The skin becomes hot and dry, or vice versa, cold and moist.
  • Vomiting blood.
  • Blood appears in the stool when defecating.
  • Coma.
  • Hard to breathe.
  • Die.

Guide to Taking OTC Drugs

Not a few people die from consuming over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol in excessive doses. Some of these things you need to consider before taking over-the-counter medicines, namely:

  • Always read the label

    • Read and follow the dosage information on the label for each time you take medication. The dosage has been adjusted to bring benefits with minimal side effects. If you exceed the dose, the drug will actually have a bad impact on your body.

  • Appropriate measuring device

    • Recognize the differences and obey the measurements listed such as 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, one tablet / pill, or millimeter. One teaspoon is equivalent to 5 ml. Some medicines include measuring devices in medicine packaging (spoons, drops, or small cups). Avoid guessing by using other measurements.

  • Types of drugs and dosages for different age groups

    • Some drug manufacturers provide a variety of variants with the same brand, for example cough medicines for adults X and cough medicines for children. Each variant is for a different age. Each of them contains a different formula. In different types, the doses listed in the instructions for use are usually distinguished for these age groups, namely adults, children, and toddlers. Take or give medicine according to the right amount. For example, the dose of paracetamol for adults is 500 milligrams to 1 gram every 4 to 6 hours, with a maximum consumption of 4 grams per 24 hours. Whereas in children aged 4 to 6 years, the maximum dose is 4 times 240 milligrams per 24 hours. Avoid giving over-the-counter medicines to toddlers under the year without asking your pediatrician.
Before taking any over-the-counter medicines, find out the brand of the over-the-counter medicines, what they are for, read labels and instructions for using them, the active ingredients contained in these drugs, and warnings of using over-the-counter medicines that you are going to consume. The use of over-the-counter medicines in pregnant women needs to be consulted with a doctor first. If you are hesitant to take over-the-counter medicines that are sold on the market, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor first. The danger of over-the-counter medicines can arise if you do not take them according to the instructions provided.

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