A new study reveals that hospitalizations for adverse events to to medications has risen by 50%. Check it out:
http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/reports/statbriefs/sb109.pdf
Pretty scary isn't it?
Certainly oral (systemic) medications have a valuable place in the fight against illness and suffering. But no matter how hard we try, there will always be errors in prescribing and dispensing, unexpected allergic reactions, mistakes by the patients (taking the wrong medicine or the wrong dose), interactions between medications, etc etc etc. Don't forget about resistance to antibiotics, fungal and "bad bacterial" superinfections after antibiotics, cost, and many other disadvantages.
In a society that wants a fast answer from a pill, I expect that the number of adverse reactions will continue to climb. My patients have long heard me on a soapbox against cavalier use of pill-therapy. Each prescription should be for a very good reason, and should involve consideration of other methods to achieve the same solution.
What are the odds of having an adverse drug reaction if you are on zero medications? You bet...zero. The risk of a problem then goes up dramatically with each pill that is added.
Now consider how frivolous many of the pills that are prescribed everyday. Antibiotics prescribed for a purely viral illness because the patient demands them or the physician is greedy or lazy. High blood pressure and type 2 diabetes pills prescribed to folks who really just need to lose 10 or 20 pounds and improve their lifestyle. Cholesterol pills for folks who really need to watch their consumption. Oral anti-fungal pills for common yeast infections which would respond to topical preparations. Oral antibiotics for acne when a topical preparation would work. Pills for ADHD before exercise and improved home environment have been properly attempted. Pills for mild to moderate depression when studies clearly show that regular exercise is just as effective. The list goes on and on.
Am I recommending that you avoid pills altogether? Of course not, I prescribe pills all the time in good conscience. I am asking you, me and everyone to stop, ask and think before the next trip to the drugstore. Ask yourself and your doctor some basic questions. "Is this pill really necessary?" "What would happen if I don't take it?" "What other options can I try to solve the problem?" "How soon can I come off of it?".
Maybe you need to let that cold, even that (viral) bronchitis, run its course. Maybe its time to get serious about eating less and exercising more. Maybe patience may be the best option.
Some people want a pill for everything. Others want to believe there is never a need for a pill. I say neither of these positions are wise. Wisdom would tell else that the best course would be to use pills sparingly, when the benefit clearly outweighs the risk, and when other strategies just won't do the job.
Dwelling on the solutions....I'm Dr Lance.
