Myths, truths about medication safety examined

 

People often turn to family members of friends for medication advice, which may be outdated or based on misinformation. Consumers need to remember that pharmacists and physicians are the best resource experts for answers to their medication questions.

 

Conventional wisdom is not always accurate when dealing with very complex medications. Reliance on misinformation can and does result in serious health problems, many with long-lasting effects.

 

Medication myths, like stories from Greek mythology, are often spread by word of mouth. Common medication myths include:

 

Myth: Nonprescription medications are safer than prescription medicines.

 

Truth: All medications, even those sold without prescription, have the potential to cause harm. This may range from simple stomach upset to liver and kidney or heart problems.

 

Some of these effects happen even if the proper dose and other instructions are followed. It is important to know what side effects to look for and what to report to your physician so he can recommend alternative treatments.

 

Myth: Herbal medicines are all safe because they are natural.

 

Truth: Many of today's most potent medicines are derived from plant origins. As these agents are not controlled by the Food and Drug Administration, there are not clinical trials and data to prove these medications are safe or effective.

 

In addition, various studies have shown that in some herbal supplant cases the potency of two different products with the same ingredients may differ by 150 percent or more.

 

Myth: Children can take the same medications as adults but just need a smaller dose.

 

Truth: When is comes to medicine, children are not just little adults. Children react differently than adults to the same medication. An example may be antihistamines - in children these cause hyperactivity but in adults cause drowsiness.

 

Myth: Splitting pills is always a way to save money.

 

Truth: It is true that many medicines can be safely split and if used appropriately can provide significant cost savings.

 

However some medication require the pill to remain intact to work at all. To prevent stomach irritation and other side effects, these pills must not be split or crushed.

 

Myth: Medication can be taken with most any food or liquid.

 

Truth: Instructions on medication administration should be read carefully. Some liquids may greatly enhance or diminish the effect of a medication. For example, grapefruit juice helps the absorption of certain AIDS medications, however it completely inactivates some medications for high blood pressure.

 

Always check with your pharmacist to determine which liquids are safe to take with your medicine.

 

Myth: The FDA has approved this medicine it must be safe for me to take.

 

Truth: The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act generally does not authorize the FDA to "order" a manufacturer to recall a food, cosmetic or supplement. The FDA does try to make sure that a new drug has been shown to have benefits greater than risks for those patients who may take a medicine.

 

But some side effects show up only after considerable use by the general public after the trial studies are completed. This data is what spurs a drug recall.

 

The recall of a defective or possibly harmful consumer product often is highly publicized in newspapers and on news broadcasts. This is especially true when a recall involves foods, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices and other products regulated by the FDA.

 

Despite this publicity, the FDA's role in recall activities is often misunderstood not only by consumers but also by the news media, and occasionally even by the regulated industry.

 

The following headlines, which appeared in two major daily newspapers, are good examples of that misunderstanding: "FDA Orders Peanut Butter Recall" and "FDA Orders 6,500 Cases of Red-Dyed Mints Recalled."

 

The headlines indicate that the agency "ordered" these recalls, which is untrue. The FDA makes recommendations that are typically followed by the pharmaceutical industry, and other industries such as food and cosmetic manufacturers, to avoid further actions.

 

Remember that safe use of medications, both prescribed and over the counter, requires the use of a lot of up-to-date information. The best sources are the patient, pharmacist and physician all working together.

Top 10 Most Popular Drug Myths

10 Common Myths


Myth #1: Drug addiction is voluntary.

While at first drug use may be a choice, over time a drug alters the chemistry of the brain and body resulting in the compulsive need of the drug. Addiction is not a voluntary choice but rather a side effect of drug abuse. In many cases, drug rehab is sought at California drug treatment centers and other facilities across the country due to the seriousness of this addiction and the patient’s inability to solve the problem alone.


Myth #2: Helpful drugs are those that are legal, while harmful drugs are illegal.

It does not matter whether a drug is legal or illegal, all drugs can be abused. Even if a federally regulated drug is considered “safe”, misuse and abuse of this drug can still have harmful effects. At times, legal drugs have been so harmful that treatment for drug abuse is needed.


Myth #3: Marijuana is not bad for you.

Marijuana is in fact bad for you. This powerful drug can cause cancer and numerous other health complications putting the user at risk for disease. Anyone who uses this drug is at risk for dependence. Other negative effects of this drug include lack of coordination, memory problems and poor concentration.


Myth #4: Combining drugs is not harmful.

Mixing drugs can be extremely dangerous. Many times, overdose and death occur as a result of combining drugs. Examples include: mixing certain prescription drugs together or combining illegal drugs with alcohol. Due to these and other risks one faces when taking drugs, drug treatment centers are recommended for recovery assistance.


Myth #5: Addicts cannot recover.


There have been numerous cases in which individuals have successfully recovered from addiction at a drug treatment facility. Not everyone recovers from drug dependency, but with the proper drug rehab program and abstinence from drugs, successful recovery is possible.


Myth #6: Pregnant women can take drugs without having to worry about harmful side effects.


When a woman is pregnant, any drugs taken can play a very harmful and dangerous role. These drugs, prescription drugs included, are able to enter the developing fetus by breaking through the placenta barrier. Breast feeding is also dangerous for the baby if drugs are taken.


Myth #7: All drugs abusers are middle-aged men.


Anyone can become a drug addict or abuser. In fact, over the past years, the ratio of men and women drug users has slowly become more even.


Myth #8: An addiction is an acute condition, and not very serious at all.

An addiction is a very serious condition. This dependency affects all areas of your life, from work to your relationship. With prolonged addiction, various health complications arise, and if the disorder is not stopped in time death can occur. Addiction is a serious thing, one in which treatment for drug abuse centers are often sought.


Myth #9: Once detoxification ends, if the addict does not return to drugs, changes in the pathways of the brain will return to their original healthy state.

While the pain of withdrawal symptoms may end, complete heath is typically never fully returned, brain damage usually remaining for the rest of a person’s life.


Myth #10: Driving is not affected by the influence of drugs.

Drugs negatively affect driving ability. Many drugs impair coordination, weaken muscles, affect attention span and judgment, as well as blur your vision. Distortion of the area around you is also another side effect, one that is especially dangerous for drivers. Statistics state that a driver with an alcohol concentration above 0.05 faces the same risks as someone under the influence of cannabis or an amphetamine based substance.