Drug safety is a peer-reviewed medical process that covers pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology. Drug safety is one of the most discussed medical practice topics concerning validating new medication or withdrawing some drugs from the market. The following is what you need to know about drug safety.
All drugs have side effects
Any medication prescribed by a doctor has an unwanted side effect. The impact of one drug can be severe compared to another. For example, some drugs can give you a mild headache while the other damages your vital organs. Most side effects are mentioned on the medication leaflets because they are predictable. Nevertheless, some side effects may not be previously known. It creates uncertain risks on how they will react and impact the patient using the drugs.
Drug safety and the type of patient
There are different types of patients, such as pregnant women, the elderly children, and lactating mothers. When all these patients take medication, they will have variable responses based on their age. It is also essential to understand that a person’s gender affects how he or she responds to drugs due to the psychological differences between males and females. While some patients may require care and attention when using the medication, others may be ok with over the counter medication.
When administering medication to children, consider the type of medication given. Medication is divided into groups based on age. You will find that medication contraindicated for use in a two-year-old may not work effectively in a twelve-year-old. One of the reasons you cannot use any medication to children is because their vital organs such as the heart and the kidney have not matured. Exposure to some drugs may bring toxic and severe side effects since the functionality of the body can’t metabolize the drugs fully. Although there is limited information on clinical studies and trials, the best way to avoid reducing drug impact is by adjusting the dose. It is also essential to use the exact dose recommended to reduce the child’s severe side effects. Sometimes when you don’t follow the prescription, drugs become ineffective imposing higher risk to the children’s health because the illness is still dominating.
Pregnant women should be considerate when taking medication because each phase of pregnancy matters. The medication administered to a first-trimester pregnancy may be different third-trimester drugs. Consult a specialist before taking any medication to know its safety and how it affects your unborn child. It’s essential to understand some medications affect the fetus formation even before the pregnancy when taken within a short period before conception. Some drugs, such as isotretinoin, an acne treatment, have a teratogenic effect on the fetus, and pregnant women should avoid it. When using the medication, use contraceptives to avoid becoming pregnant at this time. When lactating and need to use the medicine, consult professionals to get direction and usage because the use of any drug can excrete in the breast milk affecting the growth.
Older people are vulnerable to diseases because their immune system is weak. When prescribing medication, understand the patient’s health status to prevent adverse reactions or toxic side effects. Since the elderly suffer from different illnesses such as diabetes and high blood pressure, they may require different types of medications. When no caution is taken in administering these drugs can conflict with each other causing severe adverse reactions.
How to Minimize side effects
Proper use of medication can reduce the side effects. Read the drug leaflet to follow instructions given by your doctor. Don’t skip drugs when you know the time it’s supposed to be taken. It’s also essential for patients under their age groups. The pregnant women, children and the elderly should consult a physician before taking any medication. When prescribed liquid medication, ensure the pharmaceutical company provides you with a measuring tool for the correct dosage. It is also essential to get drugs from a licensed and insured pharmacy.
