Your Allergy Meds Come With Hazards: Be Aware

Medically reviewed by Medication.com.

By Dennis Thompson HealthDay Reporter

SATURDAY, Could 18, 2024 — Folks with seasonal allergy symptoms typically flip to over-the-counter and prescription medicines to alleviate signs like coughing, sneezing, runny nostril, congestion and itchy eyes, nostril or throat.

However they typically aren’t conscious that these meds — together with antihistamines — have as a lot danger for potential unintended effects, drug interactions and overdose as different medication.

“All medicines have unintended effects related to them even when they’re taken appropriately and based on dosing instructions on the label,” stated Diane Calello, govt and medical director of the New Jersey Poison Management Heart at Rutgers New Jersey Medical Faculty.

“We would like shoppers to concentrate on the potential unintended effects of over-the-counter and prescription allergy medication, which may vary from agitation to drowsiness to upset abdomen or liver harm,” Calello added in a Rutgers information launch.

To handle these dangers, specialists supply the next security ideas:

Lock up medication. Kids and pets are curious, and so have an elevated danger of by chance ingesting meds. This might result in poisoning

Decide medicines to your particular signs. Use a decongestant for those who’re congested. However solely use a decongestant containing cough suppressant for those who even have a cough. Extra meds included in a tablet or potion will increase the danger of drug interactions

Pay attention to alcohol. Many substances in chilly and allergy treatments can work together dangerously with alcohol, inflicting unintended effects like nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, fainting and lack of coordination. These interactions can happen even when the meds and alcohol aren’t ingested on the similar time

Test the lively substances. Many meds have the identical lively substances, even when they’ve completely different names or are meant to deal with completely different circumstances. Taking these collectively may end up in an overdose

Extra isn’t higher. Don’t take meds longer or in greater doses than the label recommends. At all times measure the quantity of liquid medication taken utilizing a syringe, dosing spoon or cup, quite than swigging from the bottle. Don’t use a kitchen spoon as a result of sizes can fluctuate

Don’t get behind the wheel. Many meds make driving or working heavy equipment unsafe. They’ll trigger sleepiness, fatigue, lack of consideration, blurred imaginative and prescient and decreased coordination. “Drugged driving” can get you in the identical sort of hassle as driving drunk

Kids’s dosage suggestions are severe enterprise. Infants and youngsters ought to solely be given medicines formulated particularly for them. Meds must be measured to the kid’s weight, quite than their age

Know your interactions. Ask a pharmacist or well being care supplier concerning the potential drug-drug interactions of the medicines you’re taking. They can assist you select meds that won’t dangerously work together with each other

Sources

Rutgers College, information launch, Could 13, 2024

Disclaimer: Statistical knowledge in medical articles present basic traits and don’t pertain to people. Particular person elements can fluctuate tremendously. At all times search customized medical recommendation for particular person healthcare selections.

Posted Could 2024