This article explains what is the most common side effect of most medicines, what causes it, and how to prevent it.
Medicines are designed to treat various diseases and conditions, but they can also have unwanted effects on your body.
These are called medicines side effects, and they can range from mild to severe, depending on the type, dose, and duration of the medicine, as well as your individual response.
Some of the most common side effects of medicines are nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness, constipation, diarrhea, and skin rash.
In this blog post, we will explore the causes and mechanisms of these side effects, and how to avoid or manage them.
We will also introduce you to an online medication interaction checker that can help you prevent harmful interactions between different medicines.
What is the most common side effect of most medicines?
The most common side effect of most medicines is nausea. Nausea is a feeling of discomfort or unease in the stomach that may make you feel like vomiting.
Nausea can affect your appetite, mood, and quality of life. It can also lead to dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss if not treated properly.
Nausea is reported as a side effect for many different types of medicines, such as
- antibiotics,
- painkillers,
- antidepressants,
- blood pressure drugs,
- diabetes drugs, and
- chemotherapy drugs.
Nausea can occur at any time after taking a medicine, but it is more likely to happen within the first few hours or days.
What causes nausea as a side effect of medicines?
There are several possible mechanisms that can cause nausea as a side effect of medicines. Some of them are:
Irritation of the stomach lining
Some medicines can irritate the mucous membrane that protects the stomach from acid and digestive enzymes. This can trigger nerve signals that stimulate the vomiting center in the brain.
Activation of serotonin receptors
Some medicines can activate serotonin receptors in the brain or in the gut. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and nausea. When serotonin levels are too high or too low, they can cause nausea.
Alteration of gut motility
Some medicines can affect the movement of food and fluids through the digestive tract.
They can either speed up or slow down the contractions of the muscles that push food along. This can disrupt the normal balance between digestion and emptying of the stomach.
Interaction with other substances
Some medicines can interact with other substances in the body or in the food that you eat.
For example, some medicines can increase or decrease the absorption of certain nutrients or chemicals that can affect nausea.
Some medicines can also interfere with the metabolism or elimination of other medicines that can cause nausea.
How to prevent nausea as a side effect of medicines?
There are some steps that you can take to prevent or reduce nausea as a side effect of medicines. Some of them are:
Take your medicine with food or water
This can help dilute the medicine and protect your stomach lining from irritation. However, some medicines need to be taken on an empty stomach for better absorption.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine with food or water.
Avoid foods and drinks that trigger nausea
Some foods and drinks can worsen nausea by stimulating your senses or irritating your stomach.
These include spicy, fatty, greasy, acidic, or strong-smelling foods; alcohol; caffeine; and carbonated drinks.
Eat small and frequent meals
This can help prevent your stomach from being too full or too empty, which can trigger nausea. It can also help maintain your blood sugar levels and prevent hunger-induced nausea.
Try ginger or peppermint
These are natural remedies that have anti-nausea properties. You can consume them as tea, candy, lozenges, or capsules.
However, be careful not to take too much ginger or peppermint, as they can also cause heartburn or interact with some medicines.
Use acupressure or acupuncture
These are alternative therapies that involve stimulating certain points on your body with pressure or needles.
They are believed to modulate nerve signals and neurotransmitters that affect nausea. However, their effectiveness and safety may vary depending on the practitioner and the condition.
Ask your doctor about anti-nausea drugs
If none of the above methods work for you, you may need to take prescription or over-the-counter drugs that can prevent or treat nausea.
These include antihistamines, antacids, prokinetics, serotonin antagonists, dopamine antagonists, corticosteroids, and cannabinoids.
However, these drugs may also have their own side effects or interactions with other medicines, so consult your doctor before taking them.
