Clipping Board » Drug Poisoning ─ It is necessary to be aware of the toxic side effects before taking medication.
【United Daily News Reporter Wei Xinxin / Taipei Report】
The weather has turned cold again, and hospitals are seeing many patients with colds. One elderly man purchased over-the-counter cold medicine on his own, unaware that it contained an anticholinergic agent, which triggered an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack. He suffered from severe headaches and had to seek emergency treatment to lower his intraocular pressure.
Lü Dawen, director of the Ophthalmology Department at Tri-Service General Hospital, said that as the weather turns colder, not only do cold cases increase, but the cold itself is also a risk factor for elevated eye pressure. Glaucoma patients should pay extra attention to their health. Chen Xianli, an attending physician in the Ophthalmology Department at Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, also noted that many elderly people have more than one eye issue, such as both glaucoma and cataracts. Even after emergency intraocular pressure control, their vision may remain blurry and not immediately recover.
Dai Mingzheng, an attending physician in the Ophthalmology Department at Tri-Service General Hospital, reminded that while many people buy over-the-counter cold medicine for relief, those with glaucoma or risk factors must be cautious, as it could potentially trigger a glaucoma attack. Dai explained that the likelihood of cold medicine inducing glaucoma is low, but for patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma, the drainage channels for aqueous humor in the eye are narrow. If the cold medicine contains an anticholinergic agent, it may cause the pupil to dilate, further narrowing the drainage channels and making it harder for fluid to exit .
Dai pointed out that cases of glaucoma triggered by cold medicine are rare, but it’s still worth reminding the public to be cautious. Anticholinergic agents are mainly found in antihistamines, a common ingredient in compound cold medicines, whereas ordinary antipyretic analgesics do not contain them. Glaucoma patients are advised to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication and avoid self-purchasing over-the-counter drugs to prevent complications.
Dai mentioned that in clinical practice, some patients are sent to the emergency room due to severe headaches. After extensive neurological examinations, including CT scans, it’s later discovered that the cause was actually glaucoma.
Many people do not have the habit of regular eye check-ups. Chen Xianli recommends that those aged 40 and above should have an annual eye examination, while glaucoma patients should follow up every three months.
Source: http://city. udn. com/ 53230/ 1606095? tpno=76& cate_no=0
http://www. dr- ldw. com/ modules/ news/ article. php? storyid=75
Cold Medicine Triggers Glaucoma Attack
The weather has turned cold again, and hospitals are seeing many patients with colds. One elderly man purchased over-the-counter cold medicine on his own, unaware that it contained an anticholinergic agent, which triggered an acute angle-closure glaucoma attack. He suffered from severe headaches and had to seek emergency treatment to lower his intraocular pressure.
Lü Dawen, director of the Ophthalmology Department at Tri-Service General Hospital, said that as the weather turns colder, not only do cold cases increase, but the cold itself is also a risk factor for elevated eye pressure. Glaucoma patients should pay extra attention to their health. Chen Xianli, an attending physician in the Ophthalmology Department at Taipei Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, also noted that many elderly people have more than one eye issue, such as both glaucoma and cataracts. Even after emergency intraocular pressure control, their vision may remain blurry and not immediately recover.
Dai Mingzheng, an attending physician in the Ophthalmology Department at Tri-Service General Hospital, reminded that while many people buy over-the-counter cold medicine for relief, those with glaucoma or risk factors must be cautious, as it could potentially trigger a glaucoma attack. Dai explained that the likelihood of cold medicine inducing glaucoma is low, but for patients with acute angle-closure glaucoma, the drainage channels for aqueous humor in the eye are narrow. If the cold medicine contains an anticholinergic agent, it may cause the pupil to dilate, further narrowing the drainage channels and making it harder for fluid to exit .
Dai pointed out that cases of glaucoma triggered by cold medicine are rare, but it’s still worth reminding the public to be cautious. Anticholinergic agents are mainly found in antihistamines, a common ingredient in compound cold medicines, whereas ordinary antipyretic analgesics do not contain them. Glaucoma patients are advised to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication and avoid self-purchasing over-the-counter drugs to prevent complications.
Dai mentioned that in clinical practice, some patients are sent to the emergency room due to severe headaches. After extensive neurological examinations, including CT scans, it’s later discovered that the cause was actually glaucoma.
Many people do not have the habit of regular eye check-ups. Chen Xianli recommends that those aged 40 and above should have an annual eye examination, while glaucoma patients should follow up every three months.
Source: http://city. udn. com/ 53230/ 1606095? tpno=76& cate_no=0
http://www. dr- ldw. com/ modules/ news/ article. php? storyid=75