One of the most common treatments for someone receiving care involves taking a medication, or a few medications.
Unfortunately, medications come with side effects and interactions. These unforeseen and unwanted effects range in severity from benign to serious and in frequency from rare to commonplace.
How can a patient best minimize the risk? One important step is to have a discussion with the providing physician or non-physician provider (nurse midwife or physician’s assistant). However, that step happens only 35% of the time, according to a
JAMA Internal Medicine article in 2006.
I suspect the actual percentage of discussions is lower now, 18 years later, as physicians are even more pressed for time under lower reimbursements. As much as every physician would like to sit down with every patient for an appropriate amount of time to review medications, practically speaking this just does not happen.
Fortunately, transparency and newer communication devices are readily available. That means a smart patient invested in his or her well-being can be their own best advocate and educator. The internet has added a whole new level of information which is literally at one’s fingertips. You can review your medications by name and understand their common side effects, and how various medications interact with each other. This self-research can be done online with reasonably good results.
Many times, side effects from medications impersonate new illnesses. Also, with so many medications available and prescribed these days, the interactions grow exponentially.
Pharmacists are also a source of truth when it comes to medications. They learn how to engage with patients as part of their 6-8 years of pharmacy school training. Your pharmacist can review your entire medical record for potential interactions, and see if you’re taking drugs with duplicative effects. Is the niacin you’re taking causing a burning sensation? Is an antidepressant robbing you of sexual desire? A schedule change when you’re taking the drug could help, or your pharmacist might offer other options you can discuss with your doctor.
Being active in your care and not a passive participant is so important for better health and fewer side effects from medications. You should always read the label, follow instructions, and avoid foods (such as grapefruit juice) or vitamins and herbal supplements that may have interactions.
Medication side effects cannot be completely avoided but they can be moderated and recognized early, and their overall harmful effects can be diminished. Especially when you are prescribed a new medication, learn about it, read about it, ask your pharmacist questions, and be an active member of the team caring for you.
Everyone – patients, family, and those prescribing medications – wants a good outcome. These suggestions can help you achieve that goal.