Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
【China Times Health / Yang Gefei Report】2009.02.27
Many patients remind their doctors to prescribe more stomach medicine when seeking medical treatment, believing that Western medicine can harm the stomach and that taking stomach medicine alongside it offers protection. However, pharmacists point out that stomach medicine should be avoided unless necessary. Even though antacids are considered relatively safe, long-term use of high doses may still lead to side effects and impact health.
"Stomach medicine is still medicine!" Wang Shumeng, Director of the Pharmacy Department at Taipei City Hospital Linsen Branch, explains that antacids are mostly over-the-counter drugs and are quite safe, allowing people to purchase and take them on their own. However, if antacids are taken regularly alongside other medications, problems may still arise over time.
Wang Shumeng notes that only a few types of drugs, such as aspirin, steroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are known to potentially harm the stomach. However, not everyone who takes these medications will experience adverse effects.
Unless a patient is on long-term medication with these drugs or already has poor stomach function, doctors may prescribe antacids to reduce irritation. However, the general principle is to avoid taking them unless absolutely necessary. If antacids must be taken, it is best to take them first and wait about 30 minutes to an hour before taking other medications.
Wang Shumeng warns that long-term use of antacids can persistently increase stomach pH levels, leading to excessively low stomach acid, which may promote excessive bacterial growth in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, antacids come in different formulations, such as aluminum salts, magnesium salts, calcium salts, or aluminum-magnesium combinations. Prolonged use of magnesium salts may cause laxative effects, while aluminum salts can lead to constipation.
For those who genuinely need antacids, how should they be taken? Wang Shumeng explains that antacids generally come in three forms: liquid suspensions, powders, and chewable tablets, each with different absorption rates. Liquid suspensions are absorbed the fastest, while chewable tablets are the slowest. When taking liquid antacids, it is best to shake the bottle well to ensure even distribution of the suspension and avoid inconsistent concentrations that may reduce effectiveness.
Furthermore, since antacid tablets are often large, they should not be swallowed whole. Instead, they should be chewed first to allow the medicine to quickly form a protective layer in the stomach, preventing irritation from other medications.
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=5,69& id=4944
Long-term Use of Stomach Meds May Increase Gut Bacteria
Many patients remind their doctors to prescribe more stomach medicine when seeking medical treatment, believing that Western medicine can harm the stomach and that taking stomach medicine alongside it offers protection. However, pharmacists point out that stomach medicine should be avoided unless necessary. Even though antacids are considered relatively safe, long-term use of high doses may still lead to side effects and impact health.
"Stomach medicine is still medicine!" Wang Shumeng, Director of the Pharmacy Department at Taipei City Hospital Linsen Branch, explains that antacids are mostly over-the-counter drugs and are quite safe, allowing people to purchase and take them on their own. However, if antacids are taken regularly alongside other medications, problems may still arise over time.
Wang Shumeng notes that only a few types of drugs, such as aspirin, steroids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are known to potentially harm the stomach. However, not everyone who takes these medications will experience adverse effects.
Unless a patient is on long-term medication with these drugs or already has poor stomach function, doctors may prescribe antacids to reduce irritation. However, the general principle is to avoid taking them unless absolutely necessary. If antacids must be taken, it is best to take them first and wait about 30 minutes to an hour before taking other medications.
Wang Shumeng warns that long-term use of antacids can persistently increase stomach pH levels, leading to excessively low stomach acid, which may promote excessive bacterial growth in the gastrointestinal tract. Additionally, antacids come in different formulations, such as aluminum salts, magnesium salts, calcium salts, or aluminum-magnesium combinations. Prolonged use of magnesium salts may cause laxative effects, while aluminum salts can lead to constipation.
For those who genuinely need antacids, how should they be taken? Wang Shumeng explains that antacids generally come in three forms: liquid suspensions, powders, and chewable tablets, each with different absorption rates. Liquid suspensions are absorbed the fastest, while chewable tablets are the slowest. When taking liquid antacids, it is best to shake the bottle well to ensure even distribution of the suspension and avoid inconsistent concentrations that may reduce effectiveness.
Furthermore, since antacid tablets are often large, they should not be swallowed whole. Instead, they should be chewed first to allow the medicine to quickly form a protective layer in the stomach, preventing irritation from other medications.
Source: http://health. chinatimes. com/ contents. aspx? cid=5,69& id=4944