Introduction
It’s no secret that medications can be a lifesaver when it comes to treating a variety of ailments. But, if you’re not careful, you can end up taking too much medication and putting your health at risk. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the sure signs that you may be medicating too much, according to pharmacists. We’ll also provide tips on how to make sure you’re taking the right amount of medication and avoiding any potential risks. So, if you’re concerned about your medication use, read on to learn more.
Sure Signs You’re Medicating Too Much, Say Pharmacists
Medication can be a powerful tool for managing health conditions, but it’s important to be aware of the potential risks of overmedicating. Pharmacists are experts in medication safety and can help you identify signs that you may be taking too much medication.
1. You’re Taking Multiple Medications
If you’re taking multiple medications, it’s important to be aware of the potential for drug interactions. Pharmacists can help you understand the risks of taking multiple medications and can help you identify any potential interactions. They can also help you determine if you’re taking the right dosage for each medication.
2. You’re Experiencing Side Effects
Side effects are a common occurrence when taking medication, but if you’re experiencing more than the usual amount, it could be a sign that you’re taking too much. Common side effects of overmedicating include nausea, dizziness, headaches, and fatigue. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to speak to your pharmacist.
3. You’re Taking Medication for Non-Medical Reasons
It’s important to be aware of the potential risks of taking medication for non-medical reasons. Taking medication for recreational purposes or to self-medicate can be dangerous and can lead to addiction. If you’re taking medication for non-medical reasons, it’s important to speak to your pharmacist about the potential risks.
4. You’re Taking Medication Longer Than Prescribed
It’s important to follow the instructions of your doctor or pharmacist when taking medication. Taking medication for longer than prescribed can lead to an increased risk of side effects and drug interactions. If you’re taking medication for longer than prescribed, it’s important to speak to your pharmacist about the potential risks.
5. You’re Taking Medication Without Consulting Your Doctor
It’s important to consult your doctor before taking any medication. Your doctor can help you determine the right dosage and can help you identify any potential risks. If you’re taking medication without consulting your doctor, it’s important to speak to your pharmacist about the potential risks.
Conclusion
Medication can be a powerful tool for managing health conditions, but it’s important to be aware of the potential risks of overmedicating. Pharmacists are experts in medication safety and can help you identify signs that you may be taking too much medication. If you’re experiencing any of the signs listed above, it’s important to speak to your pharmacist.
Are you taking too many medications, or the wrong dose? “Most people don’t realize that medications have adverse effects and contraindications,” says Anita Rasheed, MD, a geriatric medicine physician at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “And over-the-counter medicines and herbal supplements can cause interactions, too. For every medication you are taking, pause and identify why.” Here are five signs you’re medicating too much, according to doctors. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
Some medications can cause drowsiness if the dose is incorrect, doctors warn. “Many people report tiredness or fatigue as a side effect from their medicines. However, there are things you can do to minimize the feelings of daytime sleepiness,” says Laura Carr, a pharmacist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital. “Resolving the drowsiness may simply be a matter of adjusting the dose or changing the medication that’s causing the drowsiness.”
Overmedicating can result in dizziness and lightheadedness. “As we age, we are already dealing with changes to our physiology and our brain that make us more prone to dizziness,” says Ann Tucker Gleason, director of the Vestibular and Balance Center at the University of Virginia. “To add to this, many of us also take drugs that significantly exacerbate dizziness and make us more likely to injure ourselves falling.”
Certain drugs can cause behavior and personality changes, according to experts. “We’ve long had a conversation in this country about how antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs might affect the self, a debate about whether they change personality and whether that’s a bad thing, etc.,” says Katherine Sharpe, author of Coming of Age on Zoloft: How Antidepressants Cheered Us Up, Let Us Down, and Changed Who We Are. “Part of my premise is that adolescents, who haven’t yet come to a refined, adult sense of who they are, often struggle more poignantly with these existential questions that medication can raise.”
Overmedicating can result in hallucinations. “Visual hallucinations are commonly caused by certain medications and are even more likely when a patient is taking several meds,” says Frederick W. Fraunfelder, MD, MBA. “A person using just one medication is much less likely to experience a related visual hallucination than someone who’s on four or five, due to potential drug interactions.” He added that older patients are more likely than younger patients to be receiving treatment for several conditions and may be at greater risk.
Falls and fractures are a serious and concerning outcome of overmedication, according to a research published in NPS MedicineWise: “Falls typically result from multiple interacting factors. The more factors present, the more likely the person is to fall. Medicines are a modifiable risk factor. Adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, confusion or postural hypotension may all contribute to falls. The association between psychotropic drugs and the increased risk of hip fracture is well recognised. This is likely to be even greater when psychotropic drugs are used in combination.”
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