Doctors and health professionals train to administer prescription drugs because of the possible dangers. Although prescription drugs provide many health benefits in treating illnesses, when misused, prescription drugs can lead to serious health consequences. Possible dangers of taking prescription drugs include side effects, addiction and adverse effects of interaction with other drugs.
Interactions
Various prescription drugs have interaction side effects from food and other types of drugs. A prescription drug interaction can cause alterations in how medication works or lead to serious illness. Medications may decrease in effectiveness when taken with other medications or increase in effectiveness causing severe health problems. Interactions between prescription drugs may cause toxic interactions that include psychiatric and physical problems. An interaction between stimulants and antidepressants cause increased heart rate, hypertension and headaches, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. Common symptoms of drug interactions include pain, drowsiness, slow heartbeat and seizures, among other health conditions.
Side Effects
Prescription drugs can cause serious side effects on bodily functions. The occurrence of side effects may begin when starting or ending a drug regimen. The side effects of prescription drugs may be minor or severe and influenced by such factors as general health, age, weight, stress and the state of illness. Common symptoms of prescription drug side effects include headache, dry mouth, trembling, nausea, tiredness and sexual dysfunction, among other health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reports that avoiding risk through dosage changes and speaking to a health-care provider can reduce side effects, but unavoidable side effects do occur.
Addiction
Addiction is a concern for many taking prescription medications. Misusing or using a prescription drug for nonmedical reasons are factors of drug abuse. An estimated 6 million Americans have abused or currently abuse prescription medications, according to Turning Point. Commonly abused prescription drugs include central nervous system depressants, opiods and stimulants.
Central nervous system depressants are highly addictive and include barbiturates such as benzodiazepines and diazepam. Central nervous system depressants may cause slowed respiration, heart rate and brain functioning.
Stimulants include amphetamines, methylphenidate and dextroamphetamine. Long-term use of stimulants can cause irregular heartbeat, high temperature, seizures and paranoia.
Opiods include meperidine, oxycodone, propoxyphene and hydromorphone. Opiods are potent and highly addictive with complications that include drowsiness and decreased heart rate.
