Treatment of many diseases is not complete without taking special medications. Unfortunately, almost all medications have their side effects. Seemingly ordinary pills can cause a violent reaction in our body. This depends on many factors, so any changes in the functioning of human systems that occur after using medications must be strictly controlled.

At-risk groups

Although it can sometimes be very difficult to predict the body's reaction to a particular drug, there are special categories of patients that require increased attention. Side effects drugs often occur in people with impaired liver or kidney function. It is these organs that participate in metabolic processes and help the body remove toxic substances from our body. In case of malfunctions in their work, metabolic products only accumulate. The second high-risk group includes those who simultaneously use several medications. It has been established that some drugs can enhance the side effects of others, and this can lead to serious problems in the functioning of the body. Age also matters. As a rule, unwanted effects from taking medications occur in older people. And, of course, pregnancy sometimes makes it difficult to predict what the body’s reaction will be.

Classification of undesirable effects while taking medications

Depending on how quickly the body reacts to the drug, the following types of side effects are distinguished. The first group is acute reactions. They occur instantly as soon as the medicine enters the blood. Subacute reactions include all body reactions that occur throughout the day. After a few days, latent reactions may develop. Depending on how side effects manifest themselves, they are divided into mild (drowsiness, nausea, headache), moderate severity (very bad feeling patient) and severe (there is a real threat to human life). There is also a special reaction of the body to medications - addiction. If they are canceled, the body reacts with a sharp deterioration in well-being and bad mood (psychological dependence).

Toxic effect of drugs

If the dosage of the drug is incorrect, symptoms of intoxication of the body may occur. This condition is characterized by nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, headaches, etc. There may be several causes. If in pediatrics the amount of the drug directly depends on the child’s weight, then for adults, as a rule, the dosage is the same. Therefore, people whose weight is less than the standard (60-70 kg) need to take medications in slightly smaller quantities. Another deviation that can cause toxin poisoning is poor functioning of the filtration organs (kidneys, liver), as a result of which the drug is not excreted, but accumulates in the body. Side effects also occur from incorrectly taking pills and mixtures. In this case, it is important to strictly adhere to the recommendations: take medications before or after meals, drink only water and in sufficient quantities. It is important to remember the following points: alcohol, and in some cases sunbathing, can increase the risk of unwanted reactions.

Pharmacological effects of drugs on the body

Each group of medicinal substances affects certain organs and cells of the body. The therapeutic effect is most pronounced, but the side effects are very weak. But in some cases they manifest themselves in the following ways: the development of dysbacteriosis, anemia, damage to the walls of the stomach, bleeding. Sometimes the drug is vital for the patient, and undesirable reactions cannot be avoided. In such cases, the specialist may slightly reduce the dosage. The second option is to shorten the duration of treatment with this medicine. There are cases when side effects that occur need to be corrected with other medications.

Allergic reactions

The most common side effects from taking medicines- allergic reactions. This group accounts for about 70% of all adverse events. They are especially common when administering the drug by injection. Mild manifestations drug allergies- these are all kinds of skin rashes, spots, blisters, hives, which are accompanied by itching and sometimes burning. A dangerous allergic reaction is Quincke's edema. In this condition, swelling of the face and an increase in the volume of the lips and tongue are observed. The heartbeat quickens, pain appears in the sternum, breathing is intermittent. In this case it is necessary health care. In rare cases, taking medications can cause anaphylactic shock. This condition can result in death. A person requires emergency medical care.

Lyell's syndrome

Extremely serious condition A condition that can occur with certain medications is toxic epidermal necrolysis. The condition is characterized by a sudden onset (a few hours or days after the administration of drugs). The main symptoms are damage to the skin and mucous membranes, the appearance of blisters in the mouth, nose, and genitals. In this case, the patient complains of weakness and fatigue. Some time after the first signs appear, the body temperature rises to 39° C, the person is in an almost comatose state. New elements appear on the skin - large brown spots. The main characteristic by which Lyell's syndrome can be diagnosed is the detachment of the epidermis. At the same time, erosions remain on the body and begin to bleed. This syndrome can be fatal.

Taking antibacterial drugs

Almost everyone knows what side effects antibiotics can cause. Drugs whose action is aimed at destroying pathogenic microorganisms are used exclusively on the recommendation of a doctor. However, today people are increasingly self-medicating. Therefore, bacterial resistance to drugs only increases, but the proper therapeutic effect does not come. Relatively mild side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. However, there are more severe side effects of antibiotics: dysbacteriosis, candidiasis, allergies. In addition to pathogens, such drugs also kill beneficial intestinal flora. Because of this, the body’s protective functions are reduced and digestive problems appear. In addition, some groups of drugs may affect auditory nerves(for example, streptomycin), organs of vision, vestibular apparatus.

To minimize the side effects of antibiotics, certain rules must be followed. During treatment with these drugs, it is necessary to increase the consumption of fermented milk products. Fruits, juices with pulp, and cereals (oatmeal, corn) will also have a beneficial effect. It is also necessary to enrich the diet with foods high in fiber. In some cases, the doctor prescribes probiotics and synbiotics. It is important to remember that alcohol is incompatible with antibacterial therapy. Some drugs in this group can interact with oral contraceptives, and the effect of the latter is negated. In such a situation, an unplanned pregnancy may occur, so additional protection is necessary during antibiotic treatment.

Protecting the liver while taking medications

Most drugs are broken down in the liver, harming its cells. Therefore, after a course of treatment (and, according to the doctor’s indications, during it), it is necessary to protect liver cells by taking hepatoprotectors. For example, Legalon, original drug based on milk thistle extract with the highest bioavailability among analogues and an increased content of the active component silymarin, which strengthens membranes, stimulates the functioning of liver cells, and prevents the penetration of toxic substances into it. In addition to its protective effect, the product relieves inflammation and stimulates the regeneration of liver cells.

"Tyrozol". Side effects, reviews

This drug is used in the treatment of a disease such as thyrotoxicosis. Its main action is aimed at preventing the increased production of thyroid hormones. Available in tablet form. The main side effects that occur when consuming Tyrozol are itching and redness of the skin. If a long-term overdose of such a drug occurs, the patient experiences disruptions in hematopoietic processes. What other side effects does Tyrozol have? Reviews from patients indicate quite significant weight gain during therapy (up to 7 kg). In some cases, the doctor reduces the dosage or even discontinues the drug altogether. But for some women, only taking such a medicine makes it possible to put things in order. hormonal background, conceive and bear a child.

"Utrozhestan". Admission rules

This drug is used in the treatment of infertility. It is he who helps the fertilized cell develop stably. Release form: tablets (for both internal and vaginal use). It is worth noting that the drug "Utrozhestan" will cause minimal side effects if used in the form of suppositories. The main adverse reactions include drowsiness, dizziness, and general weakness. Sometimes body temperature rises. If the dosage is prescribed incorrectly, problems in the functioning of the reproductive system may occur. Violated menstrual cycle, appear bloody issues. Taking the drug "Utrozhestan" can also cause side effects such as bile stagnation, thrombosis, problems with the liver and kidneys. In view of these circumstances, treatment must have a clear scheme and a correctly calculated dose of medication.

"Paracetamol". What are the dangers of taking it?

One of the most common drugs used to reduce fever is Paracetamol. It is worth noting that with the correct dosage this medicine is safe; drugs based on it have been created even for infants. However, in Lately The question is increasingly being raised about what side effects Paracetamol has and how they harm the body. The risk group includes patients with any disorders in the liver or kidneys, because these organs utilize metabolic products. Another factor is drug overdose. Most people consider it absolutely harmless, but the wrong amount can trigger the development of kidney failure. It is worth noting that this condition occurred extremely rarely - in approximately 4% of cases. Sometimes Paracetamol causes side effects in cases of poor quality purification of the drug from harmful impurities.

The drug "Piracetam"

In psychiatry and neurology, a drug such as Piracetam is used. With its help, mental processes are normalized, memory and attention are improved. The medicine is widely used to restore brain function (after hypoxia, intoxication). The release form is different: tablets, injections. "Piracetam" side effects have the following: drowsiness, increased anxiety, depression, headaches. In some cases, hallucinations occur. Patients also note decreased blood pressure, itching, hives, and digestive problems. If the dosage of Piracetam is exceeded, side effects may be as follows: diarrhea mixed with blood, abdominal pain. In this case, gastric lavage and hemodialysis are recommended. Simultaneous use of this medicine with iodine-containing hormones can contribute to insomnia and increased irritability.

"Tabex". Side effects, reviews

Quite often, smokers quit smoking with the help of various medications. One of these is Tabex. However, is such a remedy so safe? The main adverse reactions of the body when taking these tablets include nausea and headaches. Also often observed are disturbances in appetite, taste perception, increased blood pressure, and increased heart rate. People also note the following side effects of the tablets: dry mouth, increased irritability. Extremely dangerous symptoms overdose - convulsions, breathing problems. The drug is contraindicated for diabetes mellitus, ulcers, problems with nervous system. The reason for this is that it can aggravate the course of such diseases. Basically, all unwanted reactions of the body go away on their own. However, if side effects are saved long time, specialist help is needed.

There are no absolutely harmless drugs. Medicines other than therapeutic effect, as a rule, have side effects, the possibility of which is warned by the doctor writing the prescription and the pharmacist at the pharmacy. Before using the drug, you must carefully study the instructions, which contain information about its side effects. Their severity depends on the dosage of the drug, the method of administration, the duration of the course of treatment and the condition of the body. Children and older people should take medications with extreme caution, as their side effects may be especially severe.

Side effects are often not pronounced enough. Therefore, in all cases when you suspect that a particular ailment may be associated with taking medications, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

Possible side effects

Most side effects can occur even with a single dose of the medicine (especially if the dose is exceeded). However, the likelihood of their occurrence and the degree of severity largely depend on the duration of use. The severity of some side effects may increase or decrease during treatment. And side effects such as addiction, drug dependence and cumulation (accumulation) can appear only after prolonged systematic use of medications. Therefore, before starting a long course of treatment with one drug or another, you should definitely consult a doctor.

By-effect	Symptoms and first aid
Dyspeptic disorders: digestive disorders. Often occurs after taking antibiotics (Tetracycline, Doxycycline, Kefzol, Claforan), sulfonamides (Biseptol, Fthalazol)	Symptoms Heaviness in the stomach, heartburn, belching, flatulence, diarrhea, unpleasant taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, short-term painful spasms. Help To prevent digestive disorders, drugs such as Nystatin, Levorin, Bifidumbacterin are used simultaneously with antibiotics. To eliminate digestive disorders, you need to take Lopedium, Motilium, Gastal, Plantex and other drugs used for digestive disorders.
Hypoglycemic coma(a condition that occurs when the blood glucose level decreases)	Harbingers Sweating, chills, weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, pale skin, irritability, feeling of fear. Symptoms Numbness or tingling sensation in the lips, loss of coordination, double vision; convulsions, loss of consciousness. Help If the patient is conscious, give him 1-2 glasses of warm sweet tea (6 teaspoons of sugar per 200 ml of water) or eat 1-2 lumps of sugar or a little marmalade. Call " ambulance"
Arterial hypotension(decrease blood pressure)	Symptoms General weakness, lethargy; headache(usually in the back of the head); tinnitus, dizziness, fainting; cold sweat; nausea, vomiting; pain in the heart area. Help Give strong hot tea to drink (coffee is contraindicated). If the condition does not improve, call an ambulance
Arterial orthostatic hypotension(a significant decrease in blood pressure that occurs when moving to a vertical position)	Symptoms Dizziness, weakness, blurred vision, darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, sweating of the palms and feet, short-term loss of consciousness. Symptoms appear most clearly when standing up suddenly, especially from a lying position. This type of hypotension is typical for patients forced to remain in bed for a long time. Help Lay the patient down Give me some hot tea to drink If the measures taken do not help, call an ambulance.
Fainting(sudden brief loss of consciousness)	Symptoms In order of appearance: pale skin, weakness, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, noise (sometimes ringing) in the ears, loss of consciousness. In an upright position, the patient seems to “sink,” falling relatively slowly. Help Lay the patient down and unbutton any tight clothing. Slightly lower the patient's head or raise his legs. Provide fresh air flow. Give the patient a sniff of ammonia, lightly lubricate the edges of the nostrils and temples with ammonia. Splash your face with cold water. Warm the victim, cover with a blanket, and after regaining consciousness, give him hot, strong tea to drink.
Pulmonary edema(fluid accumulation in lung tissue)	Symptoms Severe shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, cough with the release of foamy-bloody sputum. The face is pale, with a grayish tint, covered with cold sweat. Breathing is noisy. Blood pressure is reduced. Help Call an ambulance, and before it arrives, give the patient a semi-sitting position and apply heating pads to his arms and legs. You can take a hot foot bath.
Photosensitivity(increasing the body's sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation)	Symptoms Redness of the skin, itching, rashes on exposed parts of the body when exposed to sunlight. Help Cancel or reduce the dose of the drug. Take antihistamines (Claritin, Suprastin) and adsorbents ( Activated carbon, Enterosgel). Contact your doctor to change the drug.
Side effects associated with long-term medication use
By-effect	Characteristic
addictive	A gradual weakening of the effect of the drug, forcing you to increase its dose or replace it with another, stronger one. A similar effect often occurs with long-term use of painkillers (Pentalgin, Sedalgin, Ketorol)
Drug addiction	A strong, sometimes irresistible urge to use certain medications. Most often, long-term use of sleeping pills (Tazepam, Elenium, Seduxen) and narcotic analgesics (Promedol, Omnopon) causes addiction.
Cumulation	Accumulation medicinal substance in organs and tissues. Long-term use of drugs, even in therapeutic doses, can lead to a significant increase in their concentration in the body and, if a certain threshold is exceeded, cause poisoning. For drugs with cumulative properties, certain rules for use (breaks during treatment, gradual dose reduction) and dispensing from pharmacies have been established. β-blockers (Anaprilin, Visken), cardiac glycosides (Digitoxin, Digoxin) have a pronounced cumulative effect.

Allergic reactions to drugs

Allergic reactions to medications can occur regardless of the dose taken.

Attention! If you know that any medications or groups of medications cause you allergies, do not use these medications under any circumstances and notify your doctor.

View allergic reaction	Symptoms and first aid
Anaphylactic shock: can be caused by antibiotics (especially Penicillin), antitoxic serums, insulin, sulfonamides, vitamins, analgesics, Hemodez, iodine-containing drugs. The time of occurrence depends on the method of administration of the drug: with intravenous shock, shock can occur immediately, “at the tip of the needle”; for intramuscular and subcutaneous injections - within an hour; when taken orally, rectally and externally - after 1-3 hours.	Harbingers Feeling hot, red or pale skin, cold sweat. Feeling of fear, excitement. Throbbing headache, tinnitus, pain behind the sternum, in the lumbar region, feeling of lack of air, attacks of suffocation. Symptoms A sharp drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, possible convulsions. Sometimes laryngeal edema develops, similar to Quincke's edema (see below). Help Stop administering the medication immediately. After an intravenous injection, apply a tourniquet above the injection site. Place the patient on his back, turning his head to the left. If the victim is unconscious, give him a position so that the tongue does not sink in and the person does not suffocate (for example, lying on his side, legs bent at the knees). Call an ambulance.
Collapse: spicy vascular insufficiency. It develops suddenly and is accompanied by a sharp drop in blood pressure.	Symptoms Severe weakness, dizziness, darkening of the eyes, tinnitus, thirst. The patient is pale, facial features are sharpened, body temperature is low. Blood pressure drops to 70/50 mm Hg. Art. and lower (in the initial period, the pressure may differ slightly from normal). Shortness of breath - however, despite it, the patient does not experience suffocation. Sometimes - fainting Help Lay the patient on his back on a flat surface, elevate his legs and unbutton any tight clothing. Provide access to fresh air. Give ammonia a whiff. Call an ambulance
Hives	Symptoms The disease begins with severe itching skin of different parts of the body or its entire surface. Then blisters appear. Possible fever, headache, and general malaise. Duration - from several hours to several days. Help Discontinue the drug. Wipe the areas of the rash with a solution of soda (1 teaspoon of soda per 1 glass of water) or 6% vinegar (you can use table vinegar half diluted with water). Give the patient Activated carbon (1 tablet per 10 kg of body weight). Give the patient one of antihistamines(Suprastin, Diazolin or Diphenhydramine - 1 tablet, 10% calcium chloride solution - 1 tablespoon). Consult a doctor to find out the cause of the rash.
Quincke's edema	Harbingers Symptoms Shortness of breath, the face first turns blue, then turns pale. Possible lethargy, rigidity (tightness, rigidity) of the neck muscles, and convulsions. If swelling covers the mucous membrane gastrointestinal tract, then it may be accompanied by abdominal pain. If swelling appears on the face, headache, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness may occur. With angioedema, a person can suffocate from swelling of the larynx, so such patients need emergency medical care. Help Stop taking the drug immediately. Call an ambulance. Before the ambulance arrives, give one of the antihistamines (Suprastin, Diazolin or Diphenhydramine - 1 tablet, Calcium chloride solution 10% - 1 tablespoon).
Eczema: may occur even after stopping the drug	Symptoms Itching and redness of the skin. Help Stop taking the drug. Wear cotton underwear that does not irritate the skin. Use anti-eczema ointments (Psoriaten, Flumecinol, Friederm tar)

Attack of bronchial asthma. May occur when medications are suddenly stopped.

Attack severity	Symptoms and first aid
Light	Symptoms Weakness, shortness of breath, dry cough. The attack can last 1-5 minutes. Help Provide the patient with complete rest and place him in a sitting position. Provide access to fresh air. Take a hot foot bath or put mustard plasters on your calves. Use medications previously recommended by a doctor for the treatment of bronchial asthma (hormonal, antihistamines); aerosol inhalers Berotek, Berodual.
Average	Symptoms Choking, pallor, cyanosis of the face. The patient does not have enough air, he tries hard to breathe, usually leaning on something with his hands. Feeling of fear. Wheezing in the chest. The attack can last 5-10 minutes. Help Call an ambulance. While waiting for the doctor, apply the same measures of assistance as when mild degree attack of bronchial asthma.
Heavy	Symptoms Swelling of the face, shortness of breath, severe bluishness of the skin. The chest “freezes” during the deep inspiration phase, breathing is weakened. Cardiopalmus. Possible increase in blood pressure. The attack can last up to 20 minutes. Help Call an ambulance. Provide the patient with complete rest and place him in a sitting position. Take a hot foot bath. Use medications previously recommended by a doctor for the treatment of bronchial asthma (hormonal, antihistamines); aerosol inhalers Berotek, Berodual

Contraindications

To reduce the likelihood of side effects from using medications, you should remember their contraindications. The doctor must tell you about contraindications; in addition, a list of them is always given in the instructions for the drug.

The most common contraindications:

• individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• hypersensitivity to the components of the drug (substances that make up its composition);
• certain chronic diseases in the stage of decompensation or exacerbation ( diabetes, bronchial asthma, heart defects, etc.);
• pregnancy and lactation (for many medications);
• childhood

Source: Encyclopedic reference book. Modern medicines. - M.: Russian Encyclopedic Partnership, 2005; M.: OLMA-PRESS, 2005

The severity and likelihood of side effects depend both on the type of drug itself and on the individual characteristics of the person and the severity of the disease.

Side effects of drugs are various adverse effects that develop after taking therapeutic doses of drugs in a person. The development of adverse side effects requires specific treatment, dose reduction or discontinuation of the drug.

Side effects of medications: who is at risk?

• People with kidney and liver damage. With liver dysfunction, the inactivation of most of the drugs entering the body is impaired. The kidneys are involved in eliminating drugs and their metabolites from the body. With kidney disease, medications accumulate and their toxic effect increases.
• People taking multiple medications at once. Medicines can increase each other's side effects. Prevent these effects when administered large quantity drugs are very difficult.
• Elderly and senile persons.
• Pregnant women.

Types of adverse reactions to medications

Along the flow they distinguish:

• spicy adverse reactions, which develop within an hour after taking the medicine;
• subacute reactions - develop in a time interval from one hour to a day after taking the drug;
• latent reactions - appear after two days or more.

Depending on the severity of the reaction, there are:

• mild (headache, nausea, weakness, drowsiness and others), which do not require visiting a doctor or medication correction;
• moderate severity, which force you to reduce the dose or completely stop the drug and in some cases require treatment;
• severe, life-threatening, requiring hospitalization in a hospital.

According to statistics, from 18% to 60% of people experience side effects of medications. However, only in 4-6% of cases do adverse reactions require medical intervention.

If you suddenly stop taking certain medications
withdrawal syndrome develops, which is accompanied by a sharp deterioration
condition, the return of symptoms of the disease or the appearance of new ones.
Therefore, according to the instructions, the dose of some drugs
should decrease gradually.

Side effects of drugs: toxic effects

• The development of toxic effects of drugs is associated with their overdose. If the dose of the drug in pediatric practice is calculated based on the child’s weight, then the instructions for drugs for adults give a single figure, which is taken at the rate of 60-70 kg of weight.
  To avoid this effect, it is necessary to dose the drugs individually if the patient’s weight is significantly less than the average.
  In some cases, doctors are forced to prescribe higher therapeutic doses of drugs when it is necessary for the patient’s life. Side effects in such a situation have to be compensated with the help of other medications.
• The cause of the toxic effect may be chronic diseases, mainly of the liver and kidneys. Under various conditions, the drug can accumulate in the body, as a result of which its dose may exceed the therapeutic dose.
  To prevent side effects in patients with chronic diseases reduce the dose of the drug. The same is done when prescribing treatment for elderly and senile patients.
• Specific toxicity refers to effects that develop during certain periods of life (for example, during pregnancy: toxicity to the fetus).
  It is necessary to follow the instructions in detail, which necessarily indicate the specific toxicity and restrictions on use for this drug.
• Improper administration of the drug can lead to an increase in its concentration in the body and cause intoxication. Especially often, such errors occur when combining drugs with food or insufficient fluid when taking them.
  The effect is corrected by strict adherence to the instructions: before, after or during meals. Tablet forms should be washed down with a full glass of clean water, sometimes milk.
• Toxic effects can develop when drugs that enhance each other's effects - synergists - are used together. Certain products (such as alcohol) or physical factors(sunlight) can greatly increase the risk of intoxication.
  The responsibility for preventing this complication lies on the shoulders of the doctor, who must be aware of the rules for combining drugs. When prescribing complex treatment regimens, consultation with a clinical pharmacologist is sometimes required.

Incompatibility rules:

• Alcohol in any quantity is strictly prohibited during treatment with paracetamol, erythromycin, furazolidone, cycloserine, isoniazid (an anti-tuberculosis drug), and metronidazole.
• Do not expose the skin to the sun when treating with tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, or sulfonamides.
• During treatment with furazolidone, it is undesirable to consume cheese, smoked meat and fish products, legumes, beer, and wine.

Side effects of drugs: pharmacological effects on the body

The most common cause of side effects of drugs is the peculiarities of their effect on the body. Each medication affects different cells and tissues. Some effects are more pronounced. Others, secondary ones, are weaker. For example, cytostatics cause anemia, antibiotics can cause dysbiosis, and acetylsalicylic acid drugs can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding. There is no medicine without side effects.

When prescribing treatment, the doctor takes into account the ratio of the desired effect of the drug and possible risk side effects. It is not always possible to completely avoid the development of such effects. To reduce their manifestations, prescribe the minimum possible dose and reduce the duration of treatment as much as possible. Some side effects have to be corrected with medication.

Side effects of medications: allergic reactions

Allergic reactions account for 20-70% of all side effects. The greatest risk of allergies occurs when using injectable (especially intravenous) forms of medications. Therefore, all intravenous injections must be carried out within the walls medical institution, where it is possible to provide assistance in the development of an acute allergic reaction.

To reduce the risk of allergies, it is important to remember your allergy history and know all the drugs that have ever caused adverse reactions. If necessary, a dose of an antiallergic drug is prescribed 30-40 minutes before taking the main drug.

The likelihood of an allergic reaction increases:

• when prescribing several medications at the same time;
• when taking high doses;
• with long-term medication use;
• in the presence of a large number of minor additives and fillers to the main active ingredient in the drug.

Expert: Natalya Dolgopolova, general practitioner
Tatyana Uzonina

Photos used in this material belong to shutterstock.com

• which side effects may cause taking iron supplements;

• possible contraindications to taking iron-containing medications;

• is it possible to iron poisoning;

• what symptoms are characteristic of an overdose;

• which iron supplements are better tolerated.

According to WHO statistics, every third inhabitant of the planet has encountered iron deficiency anemia. The most common method of treating the disease is taking oral iron supplements in drops and tablets. Treatment is often accompanied by side effects of varying severity. Some of them are harmless and normal, others require immediate cessation of use. Whether side effects occur or not largely depends on the composition of the iron-containing drug.

Types of iron supplements

Iron supplements have one goal - to restore iron levels in the body - but have different compositions. Iron is present in them in different forms and is of natural or artificial origin. It is this factor that determines the tolerability of the drug.

Ferric iron

Iron in trivalent form is not absorbed by the body. In order for it to become bioavailable, it must be reduced to its divalent form. This iron is present in foods. The transition to an accessible state occurs under the influence of vitamin C. Therefore, taking tablets and drops of ferric iron must be supplemented with an abundant supply of ascorbic acid.

Ferric iron actively interacts with substances from food and forms hydroxides that are poorly soluble - this fact also reduces the effectiveness of the product.

Preparations based on ferric iron salts do not differ in pronounced therapeutic effect, but are less likely to cause side effects. They are prescribed less frequently, mainly when taking two-valent drugs is impossible.

Trivalent iron supplements list:

Maltofer;

Ferlatum;

Ferrum Lek.

Ferrous iron

Iron in divalent form is able to bind to the protein apoferritin, and therefore has better bioavailability. Most often, iron is present in preparations in the form of salts of chemical origin. The most common is ferrous sulfate.

At treatment with iron supplementssalt-based products often cause side effects. When taking large dosages, poisoning is possible. Children under 6 years of age are most often affected, which somewhat limits the possibility of using drugs in this form.

Preparations based on ferrous iron:

Fenyuls;

Totema;

Sorbifer Durules;

Tardiferon;

Feroprex;

Hemopher Prolongatum;

Aktiferin;

Ferro foil.

Products based on iron of natural origin

Natural iron supplementsare produced on the basis of the blood of agricultural animals and its components, processed in various ways.

Hematogen.It is produced with the addition of black food albumin - this is dried whole blood. The bioavailability of iron from erythrocytes is low. In this regard, it is impossible to obtain a therapeutic dose of a microelement from drugs in this group. The exact composition of the products is not controlled. Missing and clinical researches efficiency and safety.Taking iron supplementsbased on black food albumin is a preventive measure.

Hemobin.Produced on the basis of purified hemoglobin. During the manufacturing process, blood undergoes macro, micro and ultrafiltration, as a result of which all impurities are eliminated. The finished product is iron in divalent form and bound to protein. This substance is common to human body, therefore it is easily absorbed and does not cause a rejection reaction, unlike synthetic ferrous iron salts. The antianemic effect of the drug has been confirmed by leading Russian research institutes.Side effects when treated with iron supplementsbased on pure hemoglobin were not detected.

Side effects of iron supplements

Products based on iron salts are the most dangerous to use, as they most often cause negative reactions from the body. Possibleside effects of iron supplementsand the factors causing them:

Gastrointestinal disorders - vomiting, nausea, heartburn, lack of appetite, pain, belching, diarrhea. Iron in the form of salts is partially absorbed. Reduced ferric iron is absorbed by only 0.5%. In this regard, single dose doses are increased. Unclaimed iron irritates the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.

These iron supplements change the color of stool and lead to constipation. Hydrogen sulfide, which is a peristalsis stimulant, binds with inorganic iron molecules to form iron sulfide. The latter can stain not only feces, but also tooth enamel, if the drug is taken in drops or chewed as a tablet.

Intoxication of the body. A large number of free iron ions provokes the growth of pathogenic microflora.

After taking iron supplementsof inorganic origin, headaches, redness of the skin, dizziness, a feeling of tightness in the chest, and decreased blood pressure sometimes occur.

Another negativereaction to iron supplementsbased on salts - inhibition of the natural processes of absorption of iron from food.

Note! Hemobin has a cooperative effect and stimulates the natural processes of iron absorption from food.

More than a third of people with IDA have completeiron intoleranceinorganic origin.

Overdose of iron supplements

Poisoning is the hardest thingcomplication of iron supplements. Toxic effects are possible if you take iron at a dose of 30 mg per 1 kg of body weight. 250 mg is a lethal dose for the body.

Overdose can be chronic, when the patient takes excessive doses of the drug for a long time, and acute, with a single dose of a large amount of the drug.

Consequences of chronic overdose:

inflammatory processes in the kidneys, bladder and other organs of the excretory system;

stimulating the development of cancer;

coronary heart disease, aneurysm, vascular disease.

An overdose is most dangerous for a child. Taking 30 mg may lead to coma.

In case of acute overdose, the body’s reaction develops within 7 hours and goes through several stages. Sometimes the body is able to independently eliminate excess drug, in which case the symptoms will only manifest as vomiting and diarrhea without further development.

Stages acute poisoning iron supplements:

Abdominal pain, drowsiness, short-term loss of consciousness, increased blood pressure, vomiting, diarrhea. The stage lasts for 6 hours from the moment of taking the drug.

Symptoms temporarily subside. After 10 hours from the moment of administration, false relief occurs.

Internal bleeding, organ failure, low blood sugar, increased body temperature, seizures. The duration of the stage is up to 2 days.

Growth of scar tissue on the pylorus of the stomach. It lasts for a month after poisoning.

When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to induce vomiting, perform gastric lavage and take an antidote.

Note! Hemobin cannot cause poisoning, since the iron and protein component it contains is almost identical to human hemoglobin. Excesses are neutralized by the natural system for recycling endogenous iron.

Contraindications to iron supplements

Take iron tabletscontraindicated in the following cases:

At bacterial infection, since free iron ions can aggravate the situation.

With hemochromatosis - a genetic predisposition to increased absorption and absorption of iron.

For gastrointestinal disorders associated with absorption and inflammatory processes (malabsorption syndrome, enteritis, resection small intestine, gastritis, peptic ulcer stomach);

Some drugs have age restrictions;

In case of hypersensitivity to iron preparations;

In the presence of other forms of anemia (hemolytic, aplastic, B12 deficiency).

It is necessary to stop taking iron supplements in case of severe side effects that cause discomfort or deterioration in well-being. In these cases, the drug is replaced or the dosage is reduced.

Causes side effects majority iron supplementson an inorganic basis, additives that envelop the mucous membranes partially solve the problem, but absorption still remains partial. It is safer and more effective to take organic iron supplements made from natural ingredients.

Side effects are the other side of the coin of any working medicine. In other words, the medicine heals us, but, unfortunately, it also has some side effects on the body.

The attending physician may not warn you about the side effects of the drug prescribed in the prescription, but in the instructions attached to the medicine you can read a list of all the unpleasant effects of the medicine, the risk of which is possible while taking the medicine.

How to do without it?

Side effects of a drug are unwanted effects that occur within pharmacological action drugs formed during the use of the drug in therapeutic doses, excluding the possibility of overdose. This side effect can occur when using any medications. The frequency of their manifestation reaches 20% of cases.

Side effects are divided into the following types:

Primary side effect.

Directly related to the effect of the drug on objects in the body. For example, on the gastric mucosa, resulting in stomach pain, nausea and even vomiting.

Secondary side effect.

Indirect effects resulting from the use of the drug. For example, vitamin deficiency, as well as dysbiosis, as a result of the inhibition of intestinal microflora by antibiotics.

The possibility of a drug’s side effect, as well as the intensity of its manifestation, is influenced by the type of drug, as well as individual characteristics person, including the severity of the existing disease.

The following groups of people may be at risk:

• Pregnant women.
• Elderly and elderly people.
• Using more than one drug at the same time, because drugs may increase each other's side effects. In this case, if it is necessary to assign several simultaneously medicinal drugs, it is difficult to reduce the risk of such a side effect.
• Suffering from liver and kidney diseases. In cases of liver dysfunction, there is a disruption in the body's absorption of drugs, and drug metabolites, as well as the drugs themselves, are eliminated from the body through the kidneys. However, in cases of kidney disease medicines begin to accumulate in the body, accordingly, this enhances the toxic effect of the drug.

A drug side effect results in types of reactions that are classified according to course and severity. Let's take a closer look at these groups.

Along the flow they distinguish:

• acute side effect of a drug, reactions that appear within an hour after using the drug;
• subacute effect of the drug, when the reaction appears from 1 hour to 2 days after using the drug;
• latent effect of a drug, when a reaction occurs after 2 or more days.

By severity level:

• a powerful side effect that requires immediate hospitalization and puts the patient’s life in danger;
• effect of moderate severity, in which you should reduce the dose of the drug or stop the drug completely, sometimes see a doctor for drug treatment the problem that has arisen;
• a minor side effect of the drug that does not require medical intervention or specialist consultation. This effect may include drowsiness or headache, weakness or nausea.

According to statistics, from 18% to 60% of people experience side effects and effects of the drug, and only in 5% do the side effects of the drug require contacting a doctor.

We draw your attention to the fact that a side effect or undesirable effect of a medicine can also be caused by abruptly stopping its use. When taking a number of drugs, withdrawal symptoms are not uncommon. This condition is accompanied by a sharp deterioration. It is also possible that symptoms of the disease will return or new ones will appear. It is for this reason that the dosage of some drugs needs to be reduced gradually.