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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by: Related informationSupport groupsFrom other websitesContent disclaimerContent on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website. Also called: Side effects Most of the time, medicines make our lives better. They reduce aches and pains, fight infections, and control problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But medicines can also cause unwanted reactions, such as drug interactions, side effects, and allergies. A drug interaction is a change in the way a
drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, foods, or supplements or when taken while you have certain medical conditions. Examples include: Interactions could cause a drug to be more or less effective, cause side effects, or change the way one or both drugs work. Side effects are unwanted, usually unpleasant, effects caused by medicines. Most are mild, such as a stomachache, dry mouth, or drowsiness,
and go away after you stop taking the medicine. Others can be more serious. Sometimes a drug can interact with a disease that you have and cause a side effect. For example, if you have a heart condition, certain decongestants can cause you to have a rapid heartbeat. Drug allergies are another type of reaction. They can range from mild to life-threatening. Skin reactions, such as hives and rashes, are the most common type. Anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, is less common. When you start a new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, make sure you understand how to take it correctly. Know which other
medicines, foods, and supplements you need to avoid. Always talk to your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines. Start Here
What is the term for the body's negative reaction to a drug?A negative drug reaction is also called an adverse drug reaction or a hypersensitivity reaction.
Which of the following describes the manner in which a drug is eliminated from the body?Distribution: Describes the journey of the drug through the bloodstream to various tissues of the body. Metabolism: Describes the process that breaks down the drug. Excretion: Describes the removal of the drug from the body.
Which of the following best describes when one drug potentiates the action of another drug?The term “pharmacodynamic interactions” refers to interactions in which drugs influence each other's effects directly. As a rule, for example, sedatives can potentiate each other.
What is the medical term for an induced effect that is the opposite of what was therapeutically intended?Which term describes an induced effect that is the exact opposite of what was therapeutically intended? paradoxical reaction.
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