What Are the Most Common Atropine Side Effects?

Side effects (Adverse Reactions) refer to pharmacological effects beyond the therapeutic purpose that occur after applying a therapeutic amount of the drug. ^[1]

Chinese name: side effect
Foreign name: Side Effects; Adverse Reactions

Alias: side effects
Category: Bad side by side with main effect

Side effects 1. Positive side effects of the drug

The positive effects of drugs are major. A drug often has multiple effects, both for therapeutic purposes and non-therapeutic effects. For example, the anticholinergic atropine involves many organs and systems. When applied to relieve gastrointestinal spasm, in addition to relieving gastrointestinal pain, it can often inhibit glandular secretion and cause reactions such as dry mouth, blurred vision, palpitations, and urinary retention.

Side effects and therapeutic effects can be transformed under certain conditions, and different treatment goals also lead to a conceptual change in side effects. For example, in order to suppress glandular secretion and urination before surgery, the above-mentioned side effects of atropine have been converted into a therapeutic effect. Side effects are often transient and disappear with the disappearance of the therapeutic effect. But sometimes it can also cause sequelae.

Side effect 2. Probability of side effects

Strictly speaking, all medicines, including chemical medicines, traditional Chinese medicines, and proprietary Chinese medicines, have side effects, but not everyone will show them every time they use them.

Taking antihypertensive drugs as an example, nifedipine is a very common antihypertensive drug. It has a very common side effect: ankle edema. However, not all patients taking nifedipine appear, nor do they appear when taking more medicine, and less if taking less medicine.

Some side effects are only related to the different constitutions of each person. This is a bit like allergies. For example, if someone is allergic to peanuts, not eating peanuts does not mean that everyone is allergic to peanuts ^[2] .

Side effects 3. The effects of side effects on medication choice

When choosing drugs for the treatment of diseases, doctors will comprehensively consider and follow the principle of "benefit exceeds risk". Medications have side effects, that is, they are all risky. When the risk of disease is greater than the risk of medication, it is worth using the medication.

If the same disease is treated and the effect is close, the drug with small side effects should be preferred ^[3] .

Side effects 4. Judgment of side effects

Many patients who have been taking drugs for a long time are prone to associate various discomfort symptoms on the body with the side effects of the drug. Either stop the drug easily or ignore these discomforts.

Sometimes, it is difficult to distinguish the side effects of the drug from the physical discomfort caused by the disease. For example, the side effects of some antihypertensive drugs are dizzy. However, we may also be dizzy when our blood pressure is high, or dizzy when our blood pressure is low. Dizziness occurred during the pressing process. What kind of dizziness is it? At this time, you should find a blood pressure measurement. Of course, the identification of some side effects is not something we can complete at home. It may require professional equipment (such as blood tests) or professional judgment, so regular follow-up visits are also important.

Although some discomfort does not feel serious, it is actually not the case. For example, some drugs appear "weak" after taking it. Many people think that since they are sick, they also take the medicine. It is normal for them to have weakness, but in fact, this weakness may be Due to hypokalemia, if you do not understand the cause and take no measures, it may also lead to serious consequences in the long term ^[3] .

Fifth, the right side effects

If you are afraid to take the medicine and you dare not take it, it is because you are eating. We should understand the side effects of a drug, control it, and live with it, rather than resist it, deny it, and be afraid of it.

Some drugs have side effects that can be avoided. For example, ACEI antihypertensive drugs (commonly known as Soprax), some patients will have a dry cough after taking it. If you can't tolerate it, you can ask your doctor if you can switch to ARB. Antihypertensive drugs (commonly known as sartan), many people have significantly reduced the side effects after changing drugs. Some medicines can be used to reduce the side effects. For example, glucocorticoids can increase the secretion of gastric acid and pepsin, leading to an increased risk of peptic ulcers. Doctors will give some high-dose, long-term hormone users some drugs that inhibit gastric acid secretion. To reduce the risk of peptic ulcers. Some drug side effects should be discontinued and changed as soon as they occur.

Advices for reducing side effects of drugs

In fact, from the stage of drug design, research and development, scientists have already done a lot of work to reduce the side effects of drugs. It can be made into capsules, for example, in order to take medicine more conveniently, while reducing the fluctuation of drug concentration, the drug is designed into controlled-release tablets, sustained-release tablets, etc.

1. After your doctor prescribes your medication, you need to learn more about the method and main side effects, and how you should monitor these side effects during your medication.

2. Discomfort during the use of medicines should promptly seek medical attention.
3. Drugs for the treatment and control of chronic diseases are generally prescription drugs. Follow the doctor's order or the guidance of a licensed pharmacist. Do not self-diagnose or buy drugs at will.

4. Avoid using illegal or illegal medicines, not to use food or health products instead of medicines.