Medications usually produce undesirable side effects upon initiation of therapy. Side effects are the main reason most individuals will not continue to take the medication. Most of these side effects are common and not a cause to worry. The most common side effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache and dizziness. Discuss any concerns you may have regarding your medication with a health care provider before you start it. Knowing what to expect will allow you to determine when it is safe to continue taking the medication.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a typical side effect that occurs with a great number of medications. One medication that can cause diarrhea in up 53 percent of people is metformin, according to the "Drug Information Handbook." Drinking plenty of fluids and eating frequent small meals may help. Antibiotics is one class of medication that typically causes diarrhea, as well. One way to avoid this side effect is eating yogurt with probiotics. Probiotics are healthy microorganisms that can help restore bacteria in the intestines. Probiotics including Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii can be found in the pharmacy. Discuss your options with a pharmacist or a physician. If diarrhea becomes worse or persists for more than three days, contact your health care provider right away.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are other common side effects seen in many medications, especially if given by mouth. Because you're introducing a new drug, it may cause these reactions in the body. Chewing gum or sucking lozenges may alleviate these symptoms. As your body adjusts to the medication, these effects should begin to decrease. If they become bothersome or are accompanied by fever, inform your physician.
Headache
Many medications have the potential to cause a headache. High blood pressure medications, cholesterol lowering medications and thyroid replacement medications are a few examples of drugs that can cause headache. You may take pain relievers, such as Tylenol, to alleviate the pain. If headache is persistent or worsens, contact your health care provider.
Dizziness
Another common side effect is dizziness. Pain medications, particularly narcotics, will cause dizziness and unsteadiness. Medications used to treat blood pressure, heart failure and diabetes may also cause dizziness. Be cautious when driving or climbing up or down stairs until you know how the drug will affect you. Rise slowly when moving from sitting or lying position to a standing position. Dizziness will slowly begin to decrease as your body gets used to the new drug. In diabetics, dizziness may be a sign of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. Make sure you always carry hard candy with you to raise your sugar level to a normal level. If left untreated hypoglycemia may cause coma and eventual death.
References
- "Drug Information Handbook 15th Edition"; Charles F. Lacy, RPh, PharmD, FCSHP, Lora L. Armstrong, RPh, PharmD, BCPS. et al; 2007
- "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach"; Joseph T. Dipiro, Robert L. Talbert, et al; 2008
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