4 common mistakes when using non-prescription drugs

Non-prescription drugs are often used to treat mild symptoms, have pain-relieving, fever-reducing, anti-inflammatory, allergy-controlling effects, and some creams to treat dermatitis and skin fungus. Abusing these drugs can cause many harmful, even serious, health effects, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Overuse of over-the-counter medications can harm the liver, kidneys, stomach, or heart.

A study published in the journal Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy found that each year in the United States, there are nearly 180,000 hospitalizations due to overuse of non-prescription drugs. The harmful effects that patients may experience when overdosing on non-prescription drugs include insomnia, difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcers, liver and kidney damage, and other problems.

Mistakes to avoid when using non-prescription drugs include:

Use double the dose of the ingredient.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen all have pain-relieving properties. People with the flu only need to take one type. However, people can make the mistake of combining these drugs together, leading to overdose without knowing it.

Using decongestants inappropriately

Many people with colds or flu turn to decongestants to relieve their stuffy nose. However, they are not suitable for everyone. People with high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or other heart conditions should be cautious when using decongestants. Decongestants can interfere with certain medications used to treat asthma, blood pressure, or depression.

Overuse of NSAIDs

Common pain relievers include ibuprofen and naproxen. If taken in large doses or for long periods of time, they can cause kidney damage, cause fluid retention, and be harmful to people with heart failure.

Take aspirin to relieve pain

Aspirin should not be used for severe pain. Long-term use of aspirin increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach and duodenal damage, and even kidney damage or acute kidney failure, according to Healthline.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/4-sai-lam-de-mac-khi-dung-thuoc-khong-ke-don-185250111165138014.htm