7 Non Prescription Medicines That Can Make You Sick

Friday, March 20, 2015, 19:25 [IST]

Some medicines if consumed for a longer period of time can make you sick. This is called as adverse drug reactions. Therefore we should never go for self medication or over use of medicines.

Drugs are poisons and it is the dose and duration of treatment which decides whether it will be beneficial or not. There are many harmful effects of over the counter drugs (if not used properly) that we will discuss with you today.

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There are some non prescription drugs that are available over the counter (OTC) without prescription. Overuse of such drugs can make you sick. Since they can be purchased without prescription, people go for self medication.

We always forget that these medicines can only treat the symptoms of a diseases and the underlying cause of the disease is left untreated if we don't visit a doctor for check-up.

Abuse of non prescription drugs has increased to a greater extent. Today, Boldsky will share with you some harmful effects of over the counter drugs. Have a look at some non prescription drugs that can kill you.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs are used to bring down pain and inflammation related to joint pain. They have many side effects and their continuous use can even cause death due to liver or kidney failure. They can cause ulcers and stomach upset also. They can even cause joint destruction in the long run.

Acetominophen (Paracetamol)

It is used to give relief from pain and fever. It can damage your liver if used continuously. This is one of the most harmful effects of over the counter drugs such as paracetamol. Many deaths have been reported due to liver damage by paracetamol. Use it only when needed and visit a doctor to know the cause of your pain.

Stomach Acid Blockers

They are used to block the secretion of acid in the stomach and is used for acidity and heart burn. It is the most misused over the counter drug (H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors).

People have it for all stomach ailments blindly, knowing that it is drug for stomach. You will addicted to them and your stomach natural digestive processes will be disabled leading to pneumonia, ulcers and malnutrition.

Antacids (Magnesium And Aluminum Salts)

They are taken every now and then by most people. They are used to relieve heart burn and acidity instantly as they neutralise the stomach acid. Their prolonged use causes kidney stones, bowel irregularities and malabsorption of nutrients. This is one of the dangerous side effects of non prescription drugs.

Sleep Aids (Sedatives)

Sedatives side effects are many and among them are dependence and tolerance. This means you need to increase their dose to get sleep after few months. This process will gradually increase and you have to increase its dose repeatedly for sleeping effects. They give you a fake sleep without repair mechanisms that help us feel happy rested and energetic.

Children's Cough And Cold Medications

They have very serious side effects, including death in children. Their indiscriminate use can cause heart problems, convulsions, difficulty in breathing and neurological complications. You have to give them to your children only when needed to relieve the symptoms an limit it's use.