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Medication side effects


Prescription drugs: what you need to know

Like most things, drugs have an upside and a downside. The upside is they often help us get better - we call these therapeutic effects. The downside is often spoken with dread: the side effects.

While you must consult your doctor if you think you have a medical problem, knowing that the side effects from the drug you're on are common and can often be easily remedied, reduces the downside of the equation.

 


Side effects from drugs often manifest themselves in the gastrointestinal system. If suffering from diarrhoea or constipation, the three-day rule applies: although these side effects can be unpleasant, you should avoid taking a remedy within three days. Drink liquids to replace fluid lost through diarrhoea. If it lasts more than three days, or is accompanied by a fever or by blood, pus or mucus, call your Pegasus doctor. 

Constipation is a more common and less serious side effect. This happens when a drug slows down the activity of the bowel. Drugs may also take moisture from the bowel, resulting in a more solid stool. Don't take laxatives within the first three days. Rather, drink up to 10 glasses of  water a day. Adding fibre to your diet and increasing exercise can also help.

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