Self medication, even with an OTC, can be dangerous. Interpretation of symptoms and the suggestion of the most effective medication needed is best left to a qualified health professional. That is one reason why in most pharmacy's you see the consultation area so you can ask the pharmacist for a recommendation before you make a choice of what you believe would be the appropriate medication. With the vast array of OTC medications, people resort to their use for relief of a headache or the symptoms of the common cold, to sooth an upset stomach and the list goes on. Even with OTC medications. certain medications can be harmful if taken by an individual with a chronic health condition (i.e. Hypertension).
When relief isn't achieved from taking an OTC people then seek the advice of a physician for a prescription medication. Often a patient will arrive at the office with their list of what THEY feel they need. I am sure you have heard this before...”doctor I have a cold I need an antibiotic, or “I haven't been able to sleep at night I need a sleeping pill”.
We are very much a pill oriented people. Don't misunderstand me...there are legitimate times and reasons for both OTC and prescription medications. The problem comes when they are misused and/or abused.
Many people don't even look at certain behaviors as a misuse of a medication. Does this one sound familiar-sharing your prescription medication with a family member or friend because they seemed to have a similar problem for which the medication was prescribed. This is very dangerous because not only could there be some health condition that the medication could cause an adverse affect. They could be on other medications that could interact with the medication that wasn't prescribed for them.
Other common misuse is not taking a medication for the length of time it was prescribed (i.e..stopping an antibiotic that was prescribed for ten days on day four because you are feeling better, causing a rebound of the infection) or changing the dosage without consulting the prescribing physician.
Self medication becomes more dangerous when the medicine is abused...either OTC or prescriptions. One common OTC medication that is known to be abused and is extremely dangerous is laxatives. Laxatives are used by individuals with chronic constipation or as a weight loss aide. Abuse of laxatives can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and even death.
There are a number of prescription medications that are abused. The three more common types of prescription medications abused are opioids (painkillers) CNS depressants (used to treat anxiety & sleep disorders) and stimulants (used to treat ADHD and sleep disorders).
Use of even a prescription medication for the wrong reason can lead to addiction, serious health risk and eventually death. Often the risk are compounded by the mixing of medications with common OTC medications like cough suppressants or taking them with alcohol. Most of these medications have an effect on the respiratory and cardiac system. It is very easy to take dosage that is too high or a combination of medication that will suppress the respiratory system to the point you stop breathing or the cardiac system where the heart will stop. Reducing the dosage or abruptly stopping a CNS depressant can lead to a seizure. Abuse of a stimulant can lead to heart failure and/or seizures.
So you might wonder is there a solution to this problem...perhaps not but now that you are informed it can be up to you to be your brother's/sister's keeper. If you know or suspect someone has a problem with an OTC or prescription medication don't be afraid to confront them. Don't be the one enabling someone you love to continue with a destructive behavior . No you can't stop them or even fix the problem, but there are resources and skilled professionals who are able to give you guidance on how to be part of the solution and not the problem. It is easy when you love someone to get caught up in the madness. I speak from my own personal experience. My brother had an addiction for years to pain and anti-anxiety medication. Until I got help for myself, I was very much part of his addiction. I would go to pick up his prescription when he was too zonked out to do it himself. I knew he used more than one name to obtain his medications but I did not question this. I sat quietly as he took xanax, oxycontin, methadone and morphine together without confronting the doctor who was prescribing all these medications. Finally I had to say no more, I would no longer be a willing participant.
Daily the facts surrounding the dealth of Michael Jackson unfolds and there are conflicting stories as to who knew what and who did what but one thing is true...if in fact his death was the result of self medication, let not his death be in vain. Silence is not golden and you should be SILENT NO MORE if you have a child, husband, wife, love one or friend in need. I believe in retrospect as it relates Michael Jackson's death...many people wish they would have taken a different stand...perhaps we would be still looking forward to his concert tour and not mourning the lost today.
I pray for the Jackson family...his children and his fans...he will be truly missed...may he rest in peace.
Posted By: Belinda Anderson
Saturday, July 11th 2009 at 6:19PM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
