FIRST of all, let me put forward a disclaimer about this week’s article.  Not only is it going to be a little lighter than usual, but it is also going to be a little more adult as well. 

“What happened to the man who got the Viagra stuck in his throat?  He got a stiff neck for four hours.”
That’s one of several jokes that someone recently forwarded me online.  When I’d figured it out and finished laughing, it actually started me thinking.  So many of us take drugs on a day-to-day basis, but we give no thought at all to the side effects.
* VIAGRA
With VIAGRA, the most common side effects are headache, facial flushing, and upset stomach. VIAGRA may also briefly cause bluish or blurred vision or sensitivity to light. If you experience chest pain, nausea, or any other discomfort during sex, or an erection that lasts longer than four hours, seek immediate medical help.

Take Viagra, itself, for example.  After reading the joke, and not at all for personal reasons I can assure you, I went on the official website for the drug to see some of the actual side effects.
“Like all medicines, VIAGRA can cause some side effects. These are usually mild to moderate and usually don’t last longer than a few hours. Some of these side effects are more likely to occur with higher doses of VIAGRA.
I tend to think that the person who wrote that last part had a good personal laugh, and probably still do.  I mean, seriously, how many emergency room cases featuring that last side effect have been recorded, considering the hundreds of thousands of men across the world who have been taking the little blue pill since it was first launched?  I am yet to hear of a single story or read about a single recorded case of it.

Of course, that’s not the only drug with notable side effects.  I know many men, and women, will argue that the benefits of Viagra outweigh the side effects and at least one side effect may be a benefit, but there are other drugs which you need to consider, whether the risk of certain side effects outweigh the possible positives. For example, almost anyone who watches TV regularly would remember seeing an ad talking about something called “Restless Legs Syndrome.”  Now outside of the fact that it sounds like some completely made-up condition, you needed to consider if it were something you should concern yourself with.

* REQUIP
What sort of drug would you need to take to stop you from doing what every other person engages in, particularly if a catchy tune is playing somewhere near them – apparently there is a drug for it,  it is called ‘Requip’.

While Requip will stop your legs from shaking, you are not only warned to look out for “nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, unusual sweating, headache, and dry mouth…” but also “difficulty moving or walking, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, hallucinations, memory problems, trouble sleeping), muscle cramps/spasms, decreased sexual ability, unusual urges (e.g., increased gambling or sexual urges).”

* INSULIN
Insulin may cause minor and usually temporary side effects such as rash, irritation or redness at the injection site. Too much insulin can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). The symptoms include cold sweat, shaking, rapid heart rate, weakness, headache and fainting which, if untreated, may lead to slurred speech and other behaviours that resemble drunkenness. Too little insulin can cause symptoms of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) which include confusion, drowsiness, rapid breathing, fruity breath odour, increased urination or unusual thirst.
One of the more common drugs people are aware of and some are familiar with is Insulin. You may have heard of some of the common brands such as Humulin, Iletin I NPH and Novolin. Those who have heard of insulin will know the drug is used to treat “diabetes mellitus” or diabetes for short, as it is commonly called. The main use of the drug is for controlling high blood sugar which  helps prevent heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, circulation problems and blindness – the prescribed method of application is by injection.

Sleep deprivation and sleeping disorders are other common issues with many persons, most often affecting the older demographic. Having problems or disorderly patterns of sleep more often than not causes people to turn to medication which brings relief to them in their time of need. Some of the more common names you may have heard of include, Lunesta Oral, Halcion Oral, Ambien Oral and to a lesser extent, Valium. These are all drugs used to treat persons with sleeping disorders.

Taking Lunesta may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses  (such as anxiety, abdominal cramps, vomiting, sweating, or shakiness) can occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. Though it is very unlikely to occur, this medication can also result in abnormal, drug-seeking behaviour (addiction/habit-forming). You may have trouble falling asleep the first few nights after you stop taking the drug. This is commonly known as rebound insomnia. It is normal and usually goes away after 1-2 nights.
* VALIUM
The most common side effects of Valium include drowsiness, impaired motor functions, impaired coordination, impaired balance, dizziness, fatigue, depression, anterograde amnesia and reflex tachycardia. Rare side effects can include nervousness, confusion, constipation, diplopia, dysarthria, headache, hypotension, incontinence, jaundice, changes in sex drive, nausea, changes in salivation, rash, slurring of speech, tremor, urinary retention, vertigo, irritability, insomnia, muscle cramps, and in severe cases, rage and/or violence.
I would like to end this week’s article by advocating that the relevant authority – the pharmacy association or some other body – have small cards printed and distributed with some of the common drugs that are issued to patients warning them of the side effects.

Some of the time a doctor or even a pharmacist may, for various reasons, not be able to inform their patients about the effects and causes of the use of a particular drug; while I’m sure most of the times this is done, it will be beneficial to all parties to have that bit of extra information available.

One can also argue that the internet and computers are there and you can basically find anything you’re looking for online. However, not all of us are so fortunate to have that luxury and hence the usefulness of the cards can be the difference between a patient deciding to use a drug to have some mild relief and determine if it is really worth taking the drug after considering the side effects.

By Keith Burrowes