Prescription Drug Side Effects
All prescription drugs have at least one side effect. It seems that the more a drug solves one problem, the more mild to serious side effects it can have. And even though patients are warned of all side effects prior to taking prescription drugs, it rarely occurs to them that serious consequences can result.
Opiate based drugs that are prescribed for pain carry several side effects including the risk of dependence, dizziness, and possible liver damage. But the “milder” side effects, like irritability, forgetfulness, and hallucinations, are usually waived off by patients as a necessary annoyance compared to the pain relief the drug provides.
Opiate addiction does not need to be present for these side effects to occur, although increased use enhances them. When pain is severe or prolonged, use of pain killers can become a routine and individuals may not notice increased irritability and forgetfulness in themselves. This can all happen within a couple of weeks after first use.
Often, family members, friends, and co-workers will comment on changed behaviors in individuals who use prescription painkillers. Being made aware of reactionary anger and forgotten conversations is usually enough of a warning sign that those without history of addiction will cease use of a drug and find alternatives.
In some cases, though, the warning sign is something bigger than an uncomfortable conversation. Negative behavior with those outside of an individual’s “inner circle” may cause legal, employment, or financial problems. Normal daily occurrences can turn to tragedy. At work, for example, an individual may forget key instructions given by a boss, angrily argue that they were never given, and get reprimanded or even fired for insubordination.
This is not to say that prescription opiates are bad. In fact, they serve a useful purpose in the short term. This is simply to bring awareness that the emergence of these side effects is a warning sign. They can be frustrating at least and a sign of growing drug addiction at worst. And, somewhere in between, they can mean serious legal, financial, and relationship problems.
Tarzana Treatment Centers provides drug treatment for prescription drug addiction and abuse. Our services include prescription drug detox for any drug addiction. If you or a loved one has seen the warning signs that lead to dependence, please call us at 888-777-8565 or contact us here.
The paragraph below was taken from a news story posted on stltoday.com. While we don’t know all of the facts, it is a good, real-world example of this topic. The injury described is one that could lead a person to prolonged, continuous use of an opiate painkiller. It is possible that the man who is the subject of the story would not be in jail if painkillers were not a part of his life.
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Tracie Papenfus said the outburst was unusual for her husband, who she described as “a cool-headed guy.” However, she said, he hadn’t quite been himself after taking prescription painkiller medication for a compound wrist fracture he received in a motorcycle accident a few days before the call occurred. Irritability can be one side effect from those drugs, Forsyth said.
Tarzana Treatment Centers in Los Angeles makes a daily effort to find treatment news articles that we can share with our readers in the alcohol and drug treatment community. The external content was found among other articles of equal informational and educational quality.
Southern California Locations for Alcohol and Drug Treatment
Tarzana Treatment Centers has locations all over Southern California in Los Angeles County and Orange County. Other than our central location in Tarzana, we have facilities in Lancaster in the Antelope Valley, Long Beach, in Northridge and Reseda in the San Fernando Valley, and in Santa Ana.