February 22, 2018: SafeMedicationUse.ca Newsletter - New Symptoms: Could They Be Related to Your Medications?
Medications can cause unwanted symptoms, which are known as side effects or adverse drug reactions. The next time you have a new symptom, ask your healthcare provider if one or more of your medications could be the cause. Asking this question may help you to avoid taking medication that may not be needed.SafeMedicationUse.ca received a report about an elderly consumer with muscle pain in his legs. The consumer was planning to ask his doctor for pain medication. However, because his granddaughter was a pharmacist, he first asked her for advice. He had been taking a cholesterol medication for several years. His granddaughter knew that muscle pain was a common side effect of this medication. She suggested that the doctor adjust the dose of the cholesterol medication instead of adding a pain medication. The doctor agreed, and the muscle pain lessened within a month. Read more ...
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