700,000 Americans End Up in Emergency Rooms Each Year from Drug Reactions
Just about everyone needs medication at some time or another. It may be over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin or cough syrup, or any of the thousands of prescription medicines. We rely on these medications to help us cope with whatever ailment we have. But in thousands of cases, something happens that results in a quick visit to an emergency room.
Well-known prescription medications account for most of the adverse drug reactions that result in emergency room (ER) visits each year, according to a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. In most cases the medications are well known, widely used, safe, and effective when used as prescribed.
What Went Wrong?
The adverse reaction was typically caused by accidental overdoses or allergic reactions. Adverse reactions were twice as common in those 65 and older – the age group that uses many more prescription medications per capita than younger age groups. Although the 700,000 adverse reactions have been confirmed, researchers believe that the actual number is much higher. They believe patients were either misdiagnosed or they did not go to an ER.
Which Drugs Are Most Frequently the Cause of These Reactions?
Surprisingly, it is the old standby medications that have been successfully used for years:
- Warfarin – the blood thinner for those with blood clots or at risk for clotting
- Insulin – for blood sugar control in those with diabetes
- Amoxicillin – a common, widely used antibiotic
- Aspirin – over-the-counter painkiller and heart protector
- Digoxin – heart medicine used mostly by older people to strengthen and slow heartbeat
What Should You Do?
If you are taking any of these medications (or any prescription medicine), make sure you:
- Take the medication EXACTLY as prescribed – no more, no less, and when and how specified.
- Notify your doctor if ANY side effects occur.
- Notify your doctor if you see NO results from taking the medication, especially if your doctor told you there would be noticeable health results.
- Do NOT take the medication longer than prescribed.
- Always tell your doctor about any and all medications (prescription or over the counter) and supplements you are taking.
Bottom Line
Work closely with your healthcare team, ask questions, be careful, and don't take any more medications than you have to. More is not necessarily better. |
