Drugs have more than just a therapeutic effect. Side effects are also an integral part of their effects on the body. The therapeutic effect of most drugs is based on chemical-physical interactions with the body's receptors. Here is one example. Pressure decreases, swelling decreases, pain goes away, but diarrhea appears. This can be explained as follows. The drug reacts not only with receptors that recognize it, but also spreads throughout the body along with the blood and thereby participates in various chemical reactions. As a result, this leads to a change in its functions and the development of another pharmacological effect that is not provided for when using this drug, which causes the formation of side effects. Consequently, any medication has a main effect - it is a therapeutic effect that is expected from its intake and a side effect, i.e., an undesirablereaction.
General information
So, what is the side effect of the drug? This is any reaction that is undesirable or harmful to the body of an individual, which is formed when using drugs for the treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of pathological conditions.
In another way, we can say that this is a set of non-specific changes that appear in the body along with the pharmacological action that is expected when the drug is used in acceptable doses. Side effects, according to reviews and opinions of experts, are more common in people who self-medicate and allow excess of permitted doses, as well as taking drugs that, when used simultaneously, enhance each other's action, thereby contributing to an excessive pharmacological result.
Who is at risk?
- Pregnant women.
- People of the elderly and senile age.
- Persons with pathologies of the liver and kidneys. The latter take an active part in the process of removing drugs, as well as their metabolites from the body. With kidney damage, excretion is difficult, and drugs accumulate, while their toxic effect is aggravated. In case of malfunctions in the liver, the deactivation of drugs entering the body of an individual is disrupted.
- Patients who take several medications at the same time. In this case, drugs can enhance each other's side effects, and it is quite difficult to predict these effects.
Classification
All side effectssubdivided into:
- Predictable, i.e. with a specific clinic. For example, a side reaction of hormonal drugs is an increase in blood pressure. And symptoms such as weakness, headache, changes in heart rate are common to many groups of medicines.
- Unpredictable. They appear quite rarely and are often not associated with the action of the drug.
Predicted side effects by pathogenesis are divided into the following categories:
- concomitant pharmacological unwanted;
- allergic;
- drug-dependent;
- drug resistant;
- not drug related.
Side effects of drugs by location can be systemic and local, by occurrence - indirect and direct. Severity:
- Lungs. In this case, complete discontinuation of the drug or special therapy is not required. The positive effect is achieved by reducing the dosage of the drug.
- Medium. Treatment is carried out and another drug is selected for the patient.
- Heavy. There is a threat to the life of the patient.
- Lethal.
Causes of adverse reactions
Factors leading to adverse effects:
- Not drug related. These include: the presence of an allergic history in the patient, some features of heredity, gender, age, bad habits, as well as environmental influences.
- Dependentfrom taking medication. These are routes of administration, drug interactions, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic features.
Which organs are adversely affected by drugs?
When using the drug orally or orally, side effects are primarily felt by the digestive tract. They manifest:
- Stomatitis.
- Destruction of tooth enamel.
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- Bloating.
- Nausea.
- Indigestion.
- Loss of appetite.
- Irritation of mucous membranes. An ulcerogenic effect is noted when taking hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, some groups of antibiotics and other drugs.
Side effects in adults and children usually disappear when the medication is stopped.
The next organs that are affected are the kidneys and the liver. The latter suffers first from the effects of drugs, as it is an obstacle between the general circulatory system and the intestinal vessels. It undergoes biotransformation of drugs and the formation of metabolites. Through the kidneys, both decay products and the drugs themselves, which remain unchanged, are removed. As a result, they become toxic.
Drugs that can cross the blood-brain barrier can disrupt the nervous system and cause the following side effects:
- retardation;
- dizziness;
- malfunction;
- headpain.
Long-term use of drugs that have an inhibitory effect on the central nervous system may be a predisposing factor in the development of parkinsonism and depression. Medicines that relieve feelings of tension and fear can disrupt an individual's gait. Some groups of antibiotics affect the vestibular apparatus, as well as the hearing organs. A dangerous complication is anemia and leukopenia. The development of these pathologies is provoked by anti-tuberculosis drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and some antibacterial drugs.
Allergy as a side effect of drugs
In this case, the duration of administration or dosage does not matter. In some patients, even the smallest amount of the drug can lead to severe forms of allergic manifestations, while in others, taking the same drug in the maximum allowed daily dose will not cause any reactions or they will be insignificant. The severity of allergic effects is influenced by many factors, here are some of them:
- individual intolerance to the components that make up the medication;
- sensitivity to a certain group or a specific drug;
- introduction route;
- taking large doses of drugs;
- use of medication for a long time;
- simultaneous use of several drugs.
Types of allergic reactions
The same drug can cause different allergic responses, as well as the samethe symptom can be caused by various drugs. The following types of allergic reactions are noted:
- Reaginic. Side effects are manifested in the form of an instant reaction: urticaria, anaphylactic shock, an attack of bronchial asthma. Formed upon repeated administration of certain groups of antibiotics, medical immunobiological preparations (vaccines or serums), B vitamins.
- Cytotoxic. As a result of the interaction of the drug or its metabolite with blood components, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and agranulocytosis develop.
- Immunocomplex. Various toxic complexes are formed, leading to skin pathologies, nephritis, anaphylactic shock and serum sickness.
- Delayed hypersensitivity. After the next injection of the drug, after 24-48 hours, an allergic effect develops according to the type of tuberculin test. According to the speed of reactions to the administered drug, they are distinguished: acute, subacute and delayed. The first ones occur quite quickly or within 60 minutes after the administration of the drug and manifest themselves in the form of urticaria, anaphylactic shock, an attack of bronchospasm. The second and third ones develop a few hours or days after the use of the drug and are expressed by damage to the skin, mucous membranes, blood, dysfunction of the liver, kidneys, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
The most common allergic reactions
What are the side effects of these? First of all, it is Quincke's edema or angioedema and urticaria. The first is manifested by swelling of the mucous membranes,dermis and subcutaneous tissue. With the latter, itching occurs on some skin areas of the body, and then blisters form in their place, subsequently they merge and form a vast inflamed area.
One of the most common side effects of medications are allergic reactions to the dermis. The rash can be single, and in rare cases, the development of Lyell's syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, a life-threatening disease individual, is possible. The manifestations of the rash can be localized or widespread throughout the body.
Toxic effects of drugs
Their appearance is influenced by several factors:
- Overdose. When prescribing the drug, it is very important to choose the right dose. For example, in pediatric practice, it is calculated depending on the body weight of the baby. For adults, the dose indicated in the instructions for medical use is usually calculated for an average weight of 60-70 kg. Therefore, if necessary, it should be recalculated. In some pathological conditions, the doctor prescribes the maximum allowable daily dose to the patient. Side effects of the drug in this case are covered by taking other drugs.
- Chronic diseases. As a result of various organ damage, drugs accumulate in the body and, as a result, their concentration increases, which further leads to the development of a toxic effect. To prevent such a phenomenon, the doctor prescribes a medicine in a lower dosage.
- Age of the patient. All age groups require carefulselection of a therapeutic dose of the drug.
- Pregnancy. In this situation, all prescribed drugs must be approved for use in accordance with the instructions, otherwise there is a high risk of toxicity to the fetus.
- Medication regimen. It is important to observe the timing of the use of medications. Wrong intake increases their concentration and provokes a toxic effect, i.e. intoxication of the body.
- Drugs are synergists. The joint use of drugs that enhance the action of each other leads to the development of adverse effects. In addition, alcohol-containing drinks in conjunction with taking drugs at times increases the risk of severe complications. Some foods and sunlight are also provocative factors when taking certain groups of drugs. For example, smoked, meat, fish, legumes, cheese products and alcohol should be excluded during treatment with Furazolidone. When taking antibiotics of the fluoroquinolone and tetracycline series, as well as sulfonamides, sunlight is contraindicated.
Side effects of antibiotics
Adverse reactions occur in case of violations of the rules of admission, inadequate dosage, the use of antibacterial agents without medical indications, as well as in cases of long-term treatment.
The most common side effects are:
- Dysbacteriosis. Its manifestation is facilitated by frequent and prolonged use of antibiotics. For the purpose of prevention, prebiotics in the form of drugs or products are prescribed simultaneously with these drugs. They areprotect the microflora of the body and promote increased production of beneficial bacteria.
- Allergy. To protect against allergic reactions, antihistamines are prescribed, which are taken no earlier than thirty minutes before taking the antibiotic.
- Toxic lesions of internal organs. This effect is minimal in drugs of the penicillin group, as well as second and third generation cephalosporins. When taking other antibiotics, especially in patients suffering from liver disease, hepatoprotectors are prescribed to reduce the harmful effects on it. Reception of aminoglycosides can adversely affect the organs of hearing and vision, lead to impaired urination. During therapy with fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and sulfonamides, it is forbidden to sunbathe.
What other side effects, besides the above, are there? This is diarrhea or constipation, immunosuppression, intestinal irritation, and so on. For example, "Levomitsetin" negatively affects hematopoiesis, "Gentamicin" - on the kidneys, and "Tetracycline" - on the liver. With long-term course treatment with antibacterial drugs, antifungal drugs are prescribed to prevent the development of fungal pathologies.
After antibiotic therapy, to restore the intestinal microflora, it is recommended to undergo treatment with probiotics, and enrich the diet with fermented milk products containing bifidobacteria.
Adverse reactions after taking antibiotics in children
Side effects when using antibiotics in babies are manifested innext:
- Irritable bowel. Such a condition is manifested by flatulence, which causes pain in the baby's abdomen, diarrhea in the form of a liquid green color with fecal mucus, or, conversely, constipation.
- Violation of microflora or dysbacteriosis. The digestion process is disrupted. Clinical manifestations are similar to the previous ones.
- Allergy. It is expressed by urticaria, fever, and in severe cases, Quincke's edema or Lyell's syndrome is possible.
- Decreased immunity. In this case, allergic reactions occur along with a violation of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
If a nursing mother takes antibacterial drugs, then the side effects after taking them will affect the child. The use of antibiotics for therapy is possible only on the prescription of a doctor who will evaluate all the risks and benefits of their use.
Prevention of adverse reactions
For the purpose of prevention, it is recommended to follow some rules:
- Select optimal doses depending on the age of the patient. Explain to the patient the possibility of developing a withdrawal syndrome when taking certain drugs.
- When prescribing, take into account both its main property and side effects of drugs.
- Consider potential drug interactions when prescribing combination therapy. Clearly maintain the interval between doses of the drug.
- Remember that polypharmacy significantly increases the risk of adverse reactions.
- If possible, exclude injectionroute of administration of the drug, since after injections, side effects are more pronounced.
- Follow an individual approach when prescribing therapy, taking into account the patient's comorbidities that affect the biotransformation of drugs.
- Warn patients to stop smoking, drinking alcohol and coffee drinks during treatment.
- Prescribe cover-up drugs as needed to prevent complications.
In closing
Side effects are with all drugs, but they do not appear in every individual. Adverse reactions are formed in the presence of individual sensitivity (more or less) to drugs. Their appearance is influenced by gender, age, hormonal balance, genetics, lifestyle, bad habits, existing diseases and other factors. It has been proven that the incidence of adverse effects in the elderly is two to three times higher than in the younger generation.
Their prevention is influenced by information received from a doctor or a pharmacist, the medical culture of the patient, a responsible attitude to he alth, compliance with the instructions for use. Side effects are an integral part of pharmacotherapy. And their prevention is an important point of drug therapy. With a professional approach and caution when using drugs, unwanted reactions can be avoided or minimized in 70-80% of cases.
