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Prescription medication saves and improves millions of lives every year. They are one of the main elements of modern healthcare and can be used to treat many different kinds of illnesses and conditions. They can have side effects, however, and some can be dangerous or harmful – especially if they are misused.
In this blog, we explore the benefits of prescription medication and whether or not it can be bad for you, with information on key risk factors and how to use medication that has been prescribed to you safely.
Prescription Drugs: What Are They and How Are They Used?
Prescription drugs are any medications that need to be prescribed by a doctor or other medical professional. The other drug classifications are over-the-counter medicines, which can be obtained from pharmacies or supermarkets without a prescription and tend not to be as powerful, and illegal drugs that are entirely proscribed.
When prescription drugs are issued, they will have directions for safe and effective use. They should only ever be used as directed.
There are many different types of medications that can be used in different medical circumstances. Some common ones include:
- Painkillers: Used to manage acute or chronic pain
- Antidepressants: Used mainly to treat clinical depression
- Anti-anxiety medication: Used to reduce the symptoms of anxiety, such as panic attacks, extreme fear and worry
- Stimulants: Although it seems counterintuitive, these drugs can be used to treat ADHD
- Sedatives: Used to treat a number of conditions, including sleep disorders and anxiety
There are also many other types of prescription drugs, with more being developed all the time.
The Benefits of Prescription Drugs When Used Correctly
When medication is used correctly and under the guidance of a medical professional, prescription drugs not only treat symptoms but also target the underlying causes of various diseases. However, it’s essential to stick to the prescribed dose and not misuse it, as incorrect use can lead to dangerous side effects or addiction.
Some of the benefits include:
- Pain management: Chronic pain can be debilitating. Prescription medications such as opioids, muscle relaxants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are often essential for those dealing with severe pain, whether due to injury, surgery, or ongoing medical conditions such as arthritis.
- Mental health support: Prescription medications can play a huge role in managing mental health conditions. Drugs that have been developed for this purpose (e.g. antidepressants) help people suffering from mental illnesses, providing the stability needed to function day-to-day and experience an improved sense of well-being.
- Infection control: Before we had prescription medication, even a minor infection could become fatal. Antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungal drugs are indispensable in treating diseases that can range from mild to life-threatening.
- Chronic condition management: Many people live with long-term conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, which require ongoing treatment. Prescription drugs manage these conditions, preventing complications and improving quality of life.
- Life-saving potential: In many cases, medication can make the difference between life and death. For example, with cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy drugs, offer patients the possibility of remission or extending life expectancy significantly.
Are Prescription Drugs Bad for You? Common Risks and Side Effects
The side effects of prescription drugs vary widely and can be a risk even when the drugs are used as directed. New drugs have to go through stringent testing processes before they are released to the market, so serious side effects will be rare, but unfortunately – there is always a risk.
As an example, the relatively common opioid-based drug codeine can have side effects, including:
- Constipation
- Pruritic
- Urinary retention
- Hypersensitivity
- Blurred vision
- Bronchospasm
- Tremors
- Weakness
- Abdominal cramps
- Pancreatitis
Additionally, patients with sleep apnoea and other pulmonary (lung-related) disorders may be at a higher risk for respiratory depression. It can cause complications if used in pregnancy, and there are other potential issues.
This is just one example, and all prescription drugs have their own potential side effects. Symptoms like nausea and dizziness can be relatively common, while more serious side effects tend to be a lot rarer. There can also be a risk of overdose if medications are not taken properly, while some medications can interact with each other.
Some prescription medications carry a risk of addiction. This can be an issue even when prescription drugs are used as directed. A recent update from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) warned that “concern has been raised regarding prescribing rates of opioids in the UK and the awareness of healthcare professionals and patients of the risks of dependence and addiction”.
Key Dangers of Prescription Drug Misuse
So, are prescription drugs bad for you? The answer is that they can be, especially when they are misused. The dangers of prescription medications include potential side effects, as outlined above. Unpleasant and potentially harmful side effects can be more of a risk if prescription drugs are misused.
Prescription drug misuse includes people who use the drugs recreationally, but that is not the only type of misuse. It can also include using drugs you have been prescribed in a way that is other than directed (such as taking higher doses) or using someone else’s prescription medication.
Without a medical examination or consultation, the drugs might not be suitable, even if you are using them with a medical purpose in mind. A doctor or other medical professional will take a lot of factors into consideration – not only the diagnosis but any other health conditions you may have and other medications you may be taking.
Recreational use of prescription drugs can be particularly dangerous as there may be a bigger risk of overdose or reactions to other substances. Of nearly 5,000 drug-poisoning deaths in England and Wales, more than half involved more than one drug. Just under half involved opioids, and while it is difficult to obtain exact figures, many of these would include prescription drugs as well as illegal opioids like heroin. Misuse of other prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines and gabapentinoids is also on the rise.
Misuse of prescription drugs can also have other harmful effects, such as an increased risk of being involved in an accident, dependency and addiction.
How to Use Prescription Medication Safely
In order to use prescription drugs safely, you should always use them as directed. The prescriber will provide guidance, such as the dosage and schedule or when you should take the drugs. There may also be additional instructions, such as to take the medications with food or to avoid alcohol and certain other drugs while using them. As co-codamol contains both codeine and paracetamol, for example, it should not be taken alongside either of those painkillers, as there may be a risk of overdose.
In general terms, you should make sure you:
- Only ever use prescription drugs as directed.
- Never share prescription drugs with anyone else or use prescription drugs from others.
- Seek medical advice if you experience side effects.
- Communicate with your GP and regularly review your prescriptions.
It’s also worth remembering that even non-prescription medications such as paracetamol, co-codamol and others can be dangerous if misused. Medicines should only ever be used as directed.
Need Support for Prescription Drug Misuse? Reach Out Today
If you have a problem with prescription drug misuse or any other sort of substance issue, it’s always best to seek expert help and advice as soon as possible.
If you’re worried about your own drug use or that of a loved one, get in touch to find out how we can help. You can reach us by calling our free-to-call telephone number, which is 0800 470 0382.
