Medically reviewed by Medication.com.
By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter
SATURDAY, Could 18, 2024 — Individuals with seasonal allergic reactions usually flip to over-the-counter and prescription medicines to alleviate signs like coughing, sneezing, runny nostril, congestion and itchy eyes, nostril or throat.
However they usually aren’t conscious that these meds — together with antihistamines — have as a lot danger for potential negative effects, drug interactions and overdose as different medicine.
“All medicines have negative effects related to them even when they’re taken appropriately and in accordance with dosing instructions on the label,” stated Diane Calello, govt and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Management Middle at Rutgers New Jersey Medical College.
“We wish customers to pay attention to the potential negative effects of over-the-counter and prescription allergy medication, which might vary from agitation to drowsiness to upset abdomen or liver injury,” Calello added in a Rutgers information launch.
To handle these dangers, specialists provide the next security suggestions:
-
Lock up medication. Kids and pets are curious, and so have an elevated danger of by chance ingesting meds. This might result in poisoning
-
Decide medicines in your particular signs. Use a decongestant when you’re congested. However solely use a decongestant containing cough suppressant when you even have a cough. Extra meds included in a capsule or potion will increase the chance of drug interactions
-
Pay attention to alcohol. Many elements in chilly and allergy cures can work together dangerously with alcohol, inflicting negative effects like nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, fainting and lack of coordination. These interactions can happen even when the meds and alcohol aren’t ingested on the identical time
-
Examine the energetic elements. Many meds have the identical energetic elements, even when they’ve completely different names or are supposed to deal with completely different circumstances. Taking these collectively can lead to an overdose
-
Extra isn’t higher. Don’t take meds longer or in greater doses than the label recommends. At all times measure the quantity of liquid medication taken utilizing a syringe, dosing spoon or cup, slightly than swigging from the bottle. Don’t use a kitchen spoon as a result of sizes can fluctuate
-
Don’t get behind the wheel. Many meds make driving or working heavy equipment unsafe. They’ll trigger sleepiness, fatigue, lack of consideration, blurred imaginative and prescient and decreased coordination. “Drugged driving” can get you in the identical sort of bother as driving drunk
-
Kids’s dosage suggestions are severe enterprise. Infants and youngsters ought to solely be given medicines formulated particularly for them. Meds must be measured to the kid’s weight, slightly than their age
-
Know your interactions. Ask a pharmacist or well being care supplier concerning the potential drug-drug interactions of the medicines you take. They may help you select meds that won’t dangerously work together with each other
Sources
- Rutgers College, information launch, Could 13, 2024
Disclaimer: Statistical information in medical articles present normal tendencies and don’t pertain to people. Particular person components can fluctuate tremendously. At all times search customized medical recommendation for particular person healthcare choices.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted Could 2024
Extra information assets
Subscribe to our e-newsletter
No matter your subject of curiosity, subscribe to our newsletters to get the very best of Medication.com in your inbox.
