RxWatch
Not feeling like
yourself? A drug
may be to blame.
Warning Signs
Every drug carries the risk of side effects—here’s what to watch out for. by maureen healy
whether this is your first hospital you notice any of the following signs, to that substance, it could rapidly be-
stay or you’ve been through it all before, or you just don’t feel right, talk to a nurse come severe or even life-threatening.
it’s very likely you’ll be taking some kind or your doctor, your advocate or the Find a medical professional to evaluate
of medication while you’re checked in. hospital’s social worker or patient nav- you ASAP and stop the medication or
You may be put on a completely new igator right away. remove whatever is causing your reac-
regimen, or maybe you’ll get a new drug tion, if you know what it is.
or two in addition to those you’ve been side effect: Allergic reaction
taking for a while. Either way, every what it feels like: Itchiness or rash; side effect: Change in breathing
medicine brings with it the possibility hives; swelling of the face, tongue, lips, what it feels like: You can’t catch your
of side effects and recognizing and re- throat, joints, hands and/or feet; short- breath or breathe deeply
porting these to your care providers is ness of breath; a drop in blood pressure; possible culprits: Morphine, oxyco-
crucial to your health. and/or anaphylactic shock, which can done and other narcotic painkillers
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The Patient spoke with Daniel A. Hus- lead to death People with no history of a breathing
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sar, Ph.D., Remington Professor of Phar- possible culprits: Penicillin, antibiot- problem are unlikely to experience e
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macy at the Philadelphia College of ics, oral diabetes drugs, diuretics and shortness of breath while taking a nar-
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Pharmacy at the University of the Sci- anti-inflammatory medications such as cotic pain reliever, but if you’re already
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ences, in Philadelphia, and Sean Ber- aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen dealing with a respiratory condition like i
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enholtz, M.D., M.H.S., director of adult Remember when you checked in and asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive
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surgical critical care performance im- you were asked if you have any allergies? pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphy-
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provement at Johns Hopkins Univer- It’s essential to tell hospital staff about sema you’re definitely more vulnerable.
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sity School of Medicine, in Baltimore, anything you’re allergic to—medications, So pay attention to any changes. “If you
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about some of the most common side foods, latex or anything else, says Hus- feel short of breath or you can’t take a
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effects hospital patients experience. If

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sar. That’s because if you have a reaction long, complete breath or you develop © ©
10 the patient magazine 2010
PT010__0FVP0_SP10DEPTrxwatch.indd 10 2/9/10 8:02 AM
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