1. Allergy Basics
Any medication you ingest has the potential of triggering an adverse response within your body. When it is a prescribed medication, your physician carefully weighs the risks versus the benefits of giving you the drug. However, when you are buying something over the counter, be sure to carefully read the enclosed instructions and warnings. Even though our genetic makeup is similar, we are very distinct individuals. The blood pressure medicine that works wonderfully for your brother may elicit a severe reaction when taken by you. This is one of the many reasons it is vitally important not to share medications with your friends and family.
2. Use Your Pharmacist
Pharmacists are trained to research potential drug interactions as well as reactions. A pharmacist will be able to tell you that if you are allergic to eggs, for instance, you shouldn't be getting a flu vaccine. These professionals are available at all drug stores, and usually their services are offered to you at the time of receiving a new prescription. The pharmacist can educate you on possible interactions with medications you are currently taking. Attempt to obtain all of your prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from the same pharmacy, so one professional can see the whole picture.
3. Mild, Moderate and Severe Reactions
Any unwanted effect from a medication is considered a drug reaction. The symptoms presented will vary in intensity. Mild drug reactions usually consist of skin rashes and nausea. Commonly, these uncomfortable symptoms are self-limiting and do not cause a ripple in your day-to day activities. Moderate drug reactions, however, can wreak havoc on your day. You may feel nauseous and vomit, have diarrhea, blurred vision and skin hives. Remember to report any undesired effects to your physician. The third, and potentially fatal type is a severe drug reaction. Health care workers refer to this as an anaphylactic reaction. The symptoms of a severe allergy will usually contain a respiratory component such as wheezing or shortness of breath. Pick up the phone; the person having a severe drug reaction requires emergency medical care in the form of 9-1-1.
4. Basic Treatment
Mild drug reactions do not require much attention. Be sure to jot down any side effects and report them, as well as stopping the offending medication and calling your physician for a replacement. Moderate drug reactions with nausea, vomiting and diarrhea will need re-hydration in the form of increasing your liquid intake to one eight-ounce glass an hour minimum. Do not count colas or juices but only clear liquids that you can see through. Rashes may be soothed with cortisone creams, oatmeal baths and antihistamines if severe.
5. Advocate for Yourself
Keep a list of all medicines you are taking (this includes over-the-counter supplements and analgesics) and include your allergies and specific reactions on this list. Present this list to your physician each time you receive a new prescription. Additionally, those who have suffered through a severe drug reaction should consider buying a medic alert bracelet so that unknowing caregivers will not administer a potentially fatal medication in the event that you are unable to advocate for yourself.
