It seems like an endless supply of bad news about medications bombards us every day.
In China, the head of the FDA has been sentenced to death for accepting bribes from drug companies. That may seem harsh, but how many Americans have been sentenced to premature deaths because of similar issues?
The latest situations include the drug Avandia for diabetics and Trasylol which is given to cardiac bypass patients. Congressional hearings will soon be underway about each of these drugs. Did the FDA and other drug officials know they were not safe? Is the almighty dollar worth the risk?
We know that prescription medications have been shown to have side effects and to be completely unsafe. Those drugs are tested and supposedly meet strict standards. On the other hand, how many people are poisoned or die each year as the result of over the counter medications? Recently a teenage died in New York because she used an anti-inflammatory pain reliving cream presumably on her sore leg muscles. She was a cross-country runner and track star.
Too many people believe that over the counter medications are safe. Most of them are relatively safe as long as you follow the directions on the product. But sometimes those directions are not specific enough.
The average lay person may well understand that using a pain relieving cream on a small area three to four times a day may be safe. However, do they know that the more surface area of the body you spread the cream over, the larger the dose of the medication? Do they know that exercising a muscle causes it to heat up and that heat will cause the medication to be absorbed faster? It can also cause more of the medication to be absorbed as well. More importantly, does the average lay person understand that a person can overdose on pain relieving creams?
Even when the directions are specific, people don't always understand or heed the precautions. 'If one helps, two will work even better," is all too often the response given for adverse reactions that land people in the emergency room.
Most OTC medications come with a disclaimer to consult with your physician before taking, or if symptoms continue or worsen. Don't assume an OTC medication is safe for everyone. Talk to a health care professional. Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care practitioner. Never give adult medications to children. You don't have to earn a medical degree or become a chemist, but be safe!
