Medication reaction

Description

Any allergic reaction or symptom caused by the medicines. Reactions may be light such as nausea. May also be life-threatening such as anaphilaxa – reduced blood pressure, angioedema (edema of the face and tongue), fainting and collapse. The infants and elderly are the most vulnerable to medication reaction. The medication reaction should be observed as possible cause of sudden change of behavior or new symptom in children or elderly. Also, drug overdose may cause serious side effects. Even the medicines that have been initially tolerated without problems may lead to serious reactions. Some medication reactions caused by taking of large dose of medicine require decrease of dose. For specific reactions it should examine the side effects of the medicine that is being taken.

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on the medicine that has been used. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache, bruises. Severe symptoms include breathing troubles, low blood pressure, fainting, swelling of the face and tongue, intestinal bleeding or low surgar level in the blood.

Overview

Anamnesis is being taken and physical examination is being done. Further tests depend on the symptoms that appear. Doctor may stop use of the medicine in order to observe whether symptoms have remained. Level of the medicine in the body should be measured if possible.

Specialists

General Practice, Internal Medicine, Toxicology

Therapy

Treatment depends on the reaction and medicine that has been used. Patients should always talk to their doctor before suddenly stop using a medicine since some medicines need to be gradually reduced to prevent severe side effects.