Over-the-counter drugs are medicines that you can buy without a prescription from your doctor. Usually, these are readily sold in any medical pharmacy near you. These medications help treat or alleviate symptoms of common health problems, like allergies, stomach and muscle pains, cough, colds and flu, or nausea.
However, some OTC medicines, like other medical supplies in California, can cause unpleasantness. These are called adverse effects. Some of these adverse effects include:
- Medication side effects
These are effects of the medicines on your body that do not treat or manage your symptoms. Side effects, like nausea or dizziness, are usually unpleasant. Some side effects, however, can also be helpful, like sleepiness, which can eliminate your sleep disturbances or problems at night. - Drug interactions
Taking different medications together can have an unpredictable effect on the body. You can either get double the amount of dosage you need or experience opposite effects. Also, when taken together, one medication can alter the efficacy of the other, and this can be dangerous. - Food-drug interactions
The food you eat may change how certain medications work. Sometimes, the types of food and drinks you consume can also prevent the medicine from working the way it is supposed to. This is why some OTC medicines are taken on an empty stomach. - Allergic reactions
It’s not common to develop allergies from OTC drugs, but some people are allergic to certain ingredients found in the medicine itself. Some signs of allergic reaction to medicines are itching, rash, hives, and breathing problems.
Here is a friendly reminder from Arianna Medical Pharmacy: before you take any medicine, be aware of its risk. If you want to know more about OTC drugs and their possible effects, visit our pharmacy in Glendale, California.