But not every medication is meant to be taken for a lifetime. In fact, taking too much medicine is often as bad as taking no medication at all. Stopping certain medications may, in fact, help you fight the symptoms you were originally taking the medications to combat.
So how much is enough? How do you know how long to take a medication? Usually, it’s a matter of asking your doctor, particularly with prescription medications. Doctors are very aware of the addictive nature of certain medications, and will work hard to avoid putting a patient at risk of developing a habit. More to the point, medications often expire, or lose their efficacy with time. That’s why your doctor and pharmacist write a prescription for a limited amount of time.
Stopping your medications without tapering off can also have severe consequences. Again, it is a matter of consulting with your doctor to make sure the medication you’re taking is on schedule and within established parameters. Taking any medication has inherent risks. That’s why it is supervised and regulated by trained medical professionals, pharmacists and the government.
TEMPORARY MEDICATIONS
Short-term use of certain medications is designed to treat minor problems. Taking them longer than prescribed can create unwanted side effects, adding insult to injury. These include the following:
1) NSAIDs – These exist in both over-the-counter and prescription strength and are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Most of them carry warnings on the bottle and printed instructions that taking them too long can create heart problems and potentially lead to stroke. The United States Food and Drug Administration recently revised the language on ibuprofen and naproxen to increase the emphasis of the warnings on overuse. The recommendation, as with any medication, is taking the lowest effective dose for the shortest amount of time.
2) Benadryl – The drug known as diphenhydramine, found in Benadryl and other sleep aids, is an anticholinergic. Taking any drug in this category for more than three years raises the risks of dementia more than 50 percent. For that reason, this category of drugs is rarely used in people over age 65.
3) Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – These are used to combat heartburn, and should only be taken in over-the-counter dosages for about two weeks. The reason for that timeframe is to ensure the PPIs aren’t covering up something far more serious than heartburn. However, after a thorough examination and regularly scheduled follow-ups, doctors may prescribe a prescription-strength PPI to help combat heartburn problems if there are no extenuating circumstances or underlying disease problems. The danger is that PPI use can decrease magnesium levels, which can increase chances of a hip break in a fall, or lead to cramps, shaking and irregular heartbeat, as well as raising the risk for pneumonia and the intestinal disease called Clostridium difficile. Studies have shown that there is a slightly raised risk of a heart attack for PPI users as well.
4) Sleeping pills – Neither over-the-counter pills nor prescription strength sleep aids are meant for long-term use. Patients can develop a tolerance and subsequently require higher dosages, which can be unsafe. Insomnia is often a sign of depression, sleep apnea or anxiety, all of which necessitate different treatments. A sleep aid is designed to be temporary, not part of a regular regimen. A change in lifestyle, including putting away electronics and not watching TV before bed, may help ease \ the need for medication.
5) Nasal sprays and oral decongestants – These are meant to be temporary aids and should not be used for longer than the label advises. Using them for extended periods of time can actually make congestion worse, not better. If you take decongestants by mouth, including pseudoephedrine, it can lead to headaches, hallucinations, seizures and insomnia.
LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS
In some cases, medications are intended to be a life-long support system for both physical and mental ailments. These are taken under a doctor’s care and direction for specific conditions.
They include:
1) Antidepressants – When you are prescribed an antidepressant, expect to take it at least six months to a year. If you are a patient who has had multiple episodes of depression or other mood disorders, the doctor may recommend that you take the medications indefinitely. Antidepressants are generally safe over the long haul. Some people experience side effects, including loss of sexual desire and insomnia. Long-term users may also develop other symptoms. This is why doctors may change-up medications over time to minimize certain effects. Taking part in talk therapy and engaging in a healthy diet and exercise may help allay some symptoms.
2) Antipsychotics – Most take these for only a few years, but some patients, depending on their degree of illness, may be on them for life to control their symptoms. These drugs may eventually stop working, and certain side effects may manifest with age. If your doctor recommends that you get off the drugs, it’s best to taper off rather than stop immediately.
3) Statins – These drugs are designed to prevent heart disease, but can also hurt your liver in some cases, and some people have mild memory loss or muscle pain. You could also get a risk of acquiring Type 2 diabetes.
4) Albuterol – This is used to rescue patients during severe asthma attacks. The drug may also need a controller medication in addition to Albuterol to prevent attacks over time. Albuterol that’s used too much can itself cause breathing problems and make a patient feel jittery.
5) Antibiotics – These are wonder drugs, but certain strains of bacteria can build up resistance to them, which means that their use must be regulated and not over-used by doctors and hospitals so as not to create super bugs. Particularly with common colds, bronchitis and ear infections, antibiotic use is now discouraged by doctors.
There are other situations and drugs where long-term use may be problematic. Have a frank discussion with a doctor to determine the best course of action when it comes to any drug regimen.