From over-the-counter Advil to tightly controlled prescriptions, all medications come with side effects. Most of them tend to be minor while there are, also, always more serious side effects to watch out for. However, these can usually be avoided when careful research is conducted before deciding to ingest a particular medication. Strangely enough, there are often significantly similar side effects between medications that are vastly different in purpose. Possibly the most common of these side effects have to do with the gastrointestinal system. Almost any medication on the market that is ingested orally has the ability to cause an upset stomach or nausea. But, unfortunately, that is usually not the sole possible side effect. Side effects usually fall into several categories according to how they are triggered including allergic reactions, their basic chemical structure, or drug interactions. As a general rule, you should closely study the possible side effects of any medication before taking it. It is also wise to consult with your doctor, especially if the medication is less commonplace. In this article, we will cover the major and minor side effects of Prilosec, Advil, Gentamicin, and Prednisone for you to consult if you are considering a treatment which includes one of these medications.
Prilosec is a medication which is used to treat symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease. It has some common minor side effects and a few rare more serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you notice these more severe side effects:
If you notice any of these less serious side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about them to see if they are related to the medication:
If the above side effects are mild, they will likely go away within a few days. If they don’t or worsen, call your doctor or pharmacist.
Gentamicin is an antibiotic used to treat many types of bacterial infections. It has some common minor side effects and a few rare more serious side effects. You ought to tell your doctor immediately if you find that you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medication:
If any of the following mild side effects become more severe or don’t go away, then tell your doctor as well:
Advil is a medication that is used to relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation. Some of the minor side effects that can occur with Advil don’t require any kind of medical attention. As your body gets acclimated to the medicine, these side effects may dissipate. Your doctor may also be able to help you figure out ways to reduce or prevent some of these side effects. However, if any of the following minor side effects continue or worsen then you should talk about them with your health care professional:
You should check with your doctor immediately if any of these more major side effects occur when taking Advil:
Prednisone is a corticosteroid which is a man-made form of cortisol, a naturally produced steroid which fights illnesses and injuries. The medication is used as a replacement for those who have lower levels of cortisol. Common side effects of prednisone include:
There are also some serious side effects that can occur. So, if you experience any of these side effects, stop taking prednisone and contact your doctor right away:
Remember, many of these side effects are mild and easily controllable when you call your doctor. Those which are more severe tend to be rare and preventable. With proper research, your risk of severe side effects from allergic reaction or adverse drug interaction with any number of medication can be significantly decreased. Additionally, consult with your healthcare provider beforehand so you can feel comfortable with all your medication and treatments.
Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/drug-side-effects-explained#2
http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/gentamicin
http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/prednisone
http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/ibuprofen
http://www.everydayhealth.com/drugs/prilosec
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMHT0011495/?report=details#side_effects