As a senior doctor, I see patients from all over the world every day. Among them, there are some patients who are unwell due to long-term medication. Today, let's talk about those things about long-term medication.
Last month, I met an old guy with diabetes. He was in his early 60s and was an old patient in our hospital. He came for a routine check-up that day and found that his blood sugar was too high.
"Lao Cao, why is it rising again?" The doctor asked helplessly with the test sheet.
"Alas, it's all old, plus it's been a bit stressful lately. Lao Cao shook his head, looking a little haggard.
"It's useless to even take hypoglycemic drugs, I've been taking them for more than ten years, and it seems that there is no difference between not taking them. Lao Cao sighed.
As a doctor, of course I know the weight of his words. Long-term use of the same drug is easy to develop drug tolerance, and the efficacy of the drug will naturally gradually decrease. What's more, Lao Cao's physical functions are also declining year by year.
Long-term medication is indeed a headache. In the case of diabetes, patients need to take hypoglycemic drugs for life. However, long-term use of the same drug often makes the body resistant to the drug, resulting in poor drug efficacy.
Long-term use of many drugs can also damage organs such as the liver and kidneys. Doctors recommend that patients change their medication at least every 6 months to avoid complications.
Not all drugs taken for a long time will develop complications and drug resistance. For example, some vitamin drugs will not cause much harm to the body if taken for a long time.
So which drugs are "absolutely not to be taken for a long time"?
1. Hormonal drugs: hormone drugs, such as prednisone, dexamethasone, etc., have powerful anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and immunosuppressive effects.
They play an important role in the treatment of many diseases, but long-term use may lead to a range of adverse effects.
Long-term use of hormone drugs may lead to changes in appearance such as weight gain, moon face, buffalo back, etc., which can make many people feel anxious and uneasy.
It may also affect the metabolism of blood sugar and blood lipids, increasing the risk of diabetes, hyperlipidemia and other diseases. Hormonal drugs may also suppress adrenal function, leading to adrenal insufficiency.
When using hormone drugs, you must strictly follow the doctor's instructions, and you cannot increase or decrease the dosage or stop the drug at will. If long-term use is required, doctors generally take a gradual tapering approach to avoid adverse effects caused by abrupt discontinuation.
2. Antibiotic drugs: Antibiotics are an important weapon for us to fight bacterial infections, but long-term use may also bring some problems.
Long-term use of antibiotics may lead to the development of bacterial resistance. When bacteria become resistant to an antibiotic, the antibiotic is no longer effective against them, which can make treatment more difficult.
Long-term use of antibiotics may also disrupt the balance of intestinal flora, leading to intestinal problems such as diarrhea and abdominal pain. When using antibiotics, it is important to follow the principle of rational use of drugs and not to abuse them. Treatment with antibiotics is given only if there is a definite bacterial infection.
3. Sedative-hypnotic drugs: Sedative-hypnotic drugs, such as benzodiazepines (such as diazepam, clonazepam, etc.), can help people improve sleep quality.
However, long-term use may lead to dependence and tolerance. Dependence refers to the fact that patients will experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, insomnia, etc. after stopping the drug. Tolerability refers to the need to increase the dosage over time to achieve the same effect.
Long-term use of sedative-hypnotic drugs may also affect memory and cognitive function. When using sedative-hypnotic drugs, be sure to use them under the guidance of a doctor and do not use them for a long time.
If you have sleep problems, you should actively look for the cause and take a comprehensive treatment instead of relying on drugs alone.
4. Antidepressants: Antidepressants, such as sertraline and fluoxetine, play an important role in the treatment of depression and other mental illnesses. However, long-term use may cause some adverse effects.
Long-term use of antidepressants may lead to sexual dysfunction, which can be embarrassing and distressing for many patients.
It may also affect the functioning of the nervous system, causing symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, etc. When using antidepressants, it is important to pay close attention to your own reaction and communicate with your doctor if you feel unwell. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to psychological adjustment and lifestyle changes to improve the treatment effect.
5. Antipyretic and analgesic drugs: Antipyretic and analgesic drugs, such as aspirin, acetaminophen, etc., are commonly used drugs in our daily life. But long-term use can cause some problems.
Long-term use of antipyretic and analgesic drugs may damage the mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers and other problems.
It may also affect kidney function, leading to kidney impairment. When using antipyretic and analgesic drugs, it is important to pay attention to the dosage and time of use, and do not use them in large quantities for a long time.
If there is a history of gastrointestinal diseases or kidney disease, it should be used under the guidance of a doctor. In addition to the above drugs, there are many other drugs that should not be used for a long time, such as anti-epileptic drugs, anti-arrhythmic drugs, etc.
summary
Medication is a double-edged sword, it can help us treat the disease, but it can also bring some adverse effects.
When using drugs, you must be cautious, strictly follow the doctor's instructions, and do not increase or decrease the dosage or stop the drug on your own. You should also pay attention to your own reaction, and communicate with your doctor if you feel unwell.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to prevent disease. Eating a balanced diet, exercising moderately, and maintaining a good mindset all contribute to our good health.
I hope everyone can take care of their health and don't wait until they get sick to regret it.
The above content is for reference only, and the specific medication recommendations should be subject to personal circumstances and the guidance of doctors. Drug use and adverse effects may vary depending on the individual.
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