Common Medications and the Side Effects You Need To Know

Side effects are a standard part of working with medications. Everybody is different, and while there are many similarities in bodies’ construction, they can still respond entirely differently to stimuli, like medicines. Here are some common medications and the side effects you need to know so your patients can be aware of everything when they begin taking a new prescription.

Antidepressants

Antidepressants can be lifesaving as they can help patients feel renewed, giving them a new lease on life. At the same time, figuring out which antidepressant combination and dosage work for patients can be challenging. Because of this, many patients taking antidepressants can face weight gain, nervousness, insomnia, and a change in their libido.

Steroids

Steroids have many applications in the medical field that help people every day. They are anti-inflammatory and help deal with asthma, COPD, Crohn’s disease, and MS. Patients typically take them for a short time in low doses, but there can be side effects such as mood changes, difficulty sleeping, and eye conditions. In addition, steroids in an IV can result in patients developing cataracts or elevated eye pressure.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics work against bacteria and bacterial infections. Many bacteria can potentially create infections in the human body, and consequently, there are plenty of different antibiotics. They kill the bacteria and try and stop them from multiplying and coming back, but this process can be somewhat tricky for the patient. Many antibiotics can trigger nausea and stomach issues in patients. These side effects are hard to deal with, but it only means that the medication is working. You can typically alleviate these issues with some starchy food to occupy the stomach.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are used by patients when their body negatively reacts to allergens. Your body produces histamine, which reacts to allergens such as pollen and dander. It causes symptoms such as sneezing and coughing, and antihistamines help curb this issue by negating the histamine. They do their job great, but antihistamines can also lead to side effects such as drowsiness and overall weakness. Patients with glaucoma can also experience dry eyes, blurred vision, and pupil dilation due to the antihistamines.

These were only a few common medications and the side effects you need to know in the professional medical field. There are many, many more that exist that we know of, and many more that we don’t. Always be on the lookout for new side effects to better understand medications and keep patients informed.

Christina Duron is a writer living in the Chicagoland area. Her passion for writing and health helps create thought-provoking and engaging pieces and hopes to use them to empower readers to play a more active role in their personal healthcare journey.