SIDE EFFECTS Vs ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS

SIDE EFFECTS Vs ADVERSE EFFECTS OF DRUGS:  In the drug use, we normally experience undesired effects either as a result of drug toxicity to the patient or patient's over responsiveness to the given drug.  But to be sincere, there is no drug that is free from side effects, and actually this is not for drugs alone, but for anything that goes in our bodies, there will always be a way they can disrupt our normal physiology.  This is just because they are taken to be foreign and whatever they are composed of, may not be part of our genetic make-up.  I give an example of food, something that we take in on a daily basis and compulsory.  Take it when you are not compatible with it, you have allergy for it, it is half baked or you just take too much of of it and the next episode will be nausea and subsequent vomiting.  I have already discussed about nausea and vomiting and the conditions that can lead to that unpleasant situation you can read more about it from here.  On the other hand, you may just be allergic to such foods or have deficiency in some biochemical components necessary for digestion and absorption of such foods as it is the case for lactose intolerant individuals.

But for the drugs because we take them with a purpose, it would be assumed that they are 100% free from side effects.  This is not possible even with the finest new drugs developed as they are foreign to the human body.  So, with any drug compound taken, expect some sort of problems or disturbances that come along with the drug and in most cases these are documented and we collectively call them side effects.

EMERGENCE OF SIDE EFFECTS:  Side effects occur due to three main instances in the human body as described below;

1.  Side effects of drugs occur when there is a drug interaction with the receptors else where in the body other than the intended site.  This is especially true if the intended system shares some common characteristics and or receptors with other systems.  I have already talked about drug receptors in one on my previous discussions you can read about them here.  One example of such instance is the adrenergic receptors that are located both in the cardiovascular system and in the respiratory system.  In that respect, adrenergic antagonists administered for respiratory purposes may end up causing cardiovascular disruptions as detailed in the discussion  here.

2.  The other emergence of side effects is concerned with more than the recommended drug dosage.  Though this tends to be more health worker centered, it can as well be patient related in most cases.  We all know the drugs have a predetermined dosage that should be administered to the patient per Kg body weight in a specified time interval.  For some drugs however, there is no fixed dosage for a given disease and the clinician may decide to give a little bit more than the documented initial dosage, basing on the severity of the patient's condition.  This is where the concept of therapeutics window/index comes into play.  I have already discussed about therapeutic window and drug use in my previous discussions and you can read about it from here.

ADVERSE EFFECTS....................

RELATED;

1.  DRUG RECEPTORS

2.  NAUSEA AND VOMITING

3.  ADRENERGIC ANTAGONISTS

4.  THERAPEUTIC INDEX/WINDOW

5.  LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

REFERENCES