Consumption of multiple medicines can cause more harm than good to health: Health experts
Hyderabad, September 22, 2017:
Healthcare experts are of the view that simultaneous consumption of multiple medicines can cause more harm than good to health. According to an opinion sought from physicians on the impact of taking multiple drugs at a time, it is revealed consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs and blood thinners can cause platelet dysfunction. Similarly, simultaneous use of nasal congestion sprays and blood pressure medications can increase blood pressure.
According to healthcare experts, particularly for the sports personalities who are often found to be taking multiple drugs like anti-inflammatory drugs, blood thinners and painkillers when taken at a time can cause nausea, dizziness and sometimes even more serious problems. “The side effects are often attributed to strenuous activity and therefore ignored. However the mixing of drugs and supplements is very harmful,” says Dr. Radha, a leading general physician from Hyderabad.
Usually, sports persons who prefer to take Aspirin and pain killers may have to face the risk of lack of blood clotting, because these drugs usually are meant for thinning of the blood and decreases the blood's ability to clot. Dr. Bhaskar from Fotus Hospital says, “Aspirin is the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory drug for joint pains and injury induced inflammation. Normally in case of an injury platelets create a clot to reduce bleeding. However, consumption of aspirin along with other blood thinners can have a synergistic effect on wounds and thereby inhibiting the platelets from stopping the bleeding.”
Doctors revealed that painkillers such as Ibuprofen fall under the category of blood thinners. The pros and cons of these drugs should be discussed with doctors prior to consumption. It is also revealed that taking excess blood thinners mixed with other medicines can increase the chances of internal bleeding in the stomach and ulceration.
Anti-inflammatory drugs often use gastritis. Consumption of alcohol along with these drugs also serves a double blow to the body and increases the risk of internal bleeding. Another combination of drugs that is harmful if used together is nasal congestion spray and blood pressure medication.
According to Dr. Naveen from Siddhartha Hospital, the intensity of drug interaction depends on the number of medicines consumed, the age of the individual and his or her lifestyle. The likelihood of interaction can be checked online on sites which ask patients to list their perceptions and make prediction of the side effects. “Mixing of one or two medicines without proper physician’s guidance can render each other ineffective and may also risk of getting harmful side effects,” revealed Dr Naveen.