what do you feel are the pros and cons of medication as far as disease treatment is concerned today

Prescription drugs can cause side effects that range from minimally bothersome to life-threatening. However, today people survive infections that used to kill them and children with cancer are often cured and grow up to live normal lives. People live longer and more productive lives due in part to the benefits of prescription medications.

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What are the pros and cons of prescription drugs?

Jan 30, 2022 · The benefits of medicines are the helpful effects you get, such as easing pain, controlling blood sugar, lowering blood pressure, or curing an infection. The risks of medicines are the possible unwanted or unexpected effects that might happen to you when you use them. Risks can be minor, like a mild upset stomach, or more serious, such as an ...

Why is it important to weigh the pros and cons of medication?

Pro: Cures and Remedies. Prescription drugs can often be the answer for life-threatening conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol or even cancer 1. These drugs help stimulate and mimic a well-functioning body, so there are a number of people whose lives are saved daily because of prescription drugs 1.

What are the benefits and risks of medicines?

Nov 29, 2021 · Overview. Teen depression is a serious mental health condition that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It affects how a teen thinks and behaves and can negatively impact school, family, and social functioning. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 3 million American ...

Do prescription drugs make life easier or harder?

May 12, 2015 · The majority of psychiatric medication acts to correct imbalanced brain chemistry. Antidepressants, for instance, often hinder the breakdown of serotonin in …

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Talk to Your Healthcare Provider

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What Is Your Ability to Pay For medications?

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What are the risks of taking a medicine?

The risks of medicines are the possible unwanted or unexpected effects that might happen to you when you use them . Risks can be minor, like a mild upset stomach, or more serious , such as an increased risk of bleeding or liver damage.

Why is it important to understand your medication?

The medications you take play an important role in your overall health. However, all medications have side effects, warnings and drug interactions, so it's important to understand your treatments, expected results, and alternative medical options. 1. The benefits of medicines are the helpful effects you get, such as easing pain, ...

What is the timeline of treatment?

the timeline of your treatment (short-term or long-term) your expected outcomes (a cure, control of a chronic disease, or palliative care) Asking questions and learning about the risks versus benefits of medications can help you become a fully informed participant in your own health care plan.

Why is it important to discuss cost issues with your healthcare provider?

It is important to discuss cost issues with your healthcare provider. Do not feel embarrassed or ashamed if you cannot afford your medication. Healthcare is expensive, and there are many people who do not have adequate health insurance or funds to cover their medications costs. In the U.S., the price of medical care and medications is some of the highest in the world.

What is a medication guide?

Many drugs come with Medication Guides. These are paper handouts that address issues that are specific to particular drugs and drug classes. Medication guides contain FDA-approved information that can help patients avoid serious side effects.

How to ensure your treatment is safe?

1. Talk to your healthcare provider. This seems so obvious, but it is very important to have face-to-face discussions with your healthcare provider.

What to do if your doctor doesn't give you enough time?

If you feel your appointment may not offer enough time for discussion, call your healthcare provider’s office and schedule additional time. Ask questions not only of your doctor, but also of your pharmacist, nurse, dentist, physical therapist, or other healthcare professional that you see. 2.

What are the pros and cons of prescription drugs?

The Pros & Cons of Prescription Drugs. Prescription drugs have their place in our medically advanced society 1. There are many diseases people would die from if not for prescription drugs, and some prescription drugs seem to make life easier when you have a small ailment such as the flu or a cough 1. But prescription drugs have a dark side as well ...

Why are prescription drugs important?

These drugs help stimulate and mimic a well-functioning body, so there are a number of people whose lives are saved daily because of prescription drugs 1. Without them, they would have a lower quality of life and even risk death.

Can prescription drugs make you dependent?

Unfortunately, some people who take prescription drugs that were only meant for a short time find themselves dependent upon them 1. Dosages, length of time on the drug and the type of drug can all contribute to the chance that a patient can become addicted to the drug. Drugs prescribed for pain and insomnia that are also narcotics especially put patients at risk for dependency, and not all health care professionals are as careful as they should be when prescribing these drugs.

Is it okay to take prescription drugs?

However, misusing prescription drugs is a problem in a society with a general attitude that if a doctor prescribes it, it's OK for anyone to take it 1. Prescription drug usage should be carefully monitored by health care providers, and when in the home should be secured without easy access 1.

Can you take antibiotics while sick?

Antibiotics for infections, flu medication and prescription cough medicine are used only while the patient is sick 1. Some prescription drugs cure the ailment; some make it easier to live with so that the patient can endure the sickness 1. Prescription drugs make life easier when dealing with a short-term illness 1.

Why are second line medications prescribed?

Parents of children who tried second-line medications, which are often prescribed because of concerns about the side effects associated with amphetamines and methylphenidates, also reported a high frequency of side effects, but they were somewhat less frequent than with the other medications.

What to do if side effects are overwhelming?

If side effects are overwhelming, talk with your doctor about switching medications or dosing.

How long does ADHD last?

But there is no good evidence showing that these benefits last longer than about two years , and the long-term consequences of taking stimulants for years on end have not been fully evaluated in studies.#N#Fortunately, many children with ADHD—even when they are not treated—improve as they reach the teenage years and early 20s. But the disorder can persist into adolescence and adulthood about 30 percent to 70 percent of the time.#N#All of the ADHD stimulant medicines have been linked to rare cases of heart attack, stroke, and sudden death, so children should first be evaluated for underlying heart problems.#N#The severity of symptoms and abnormal behavior patterns in children and teenagers with ADHD varies widely. Diagnosis, too, can be quite subjective, varying from doctor to doctor. Because diagnosis of the condition can be difficult, and a variety of medical and psychiatric disorders can cause symptoms that mimic ADHD, many children and teenagers taking medication might not have ADHD or have only mild symptoms that do not require it. Be sure to get a diagnosis from a physician or mental-health professional with expertise in ADHD and a second opinion if you have doubts. Even if your child meets the criteria for ADHD, he or she might not need a drug. A pediatrician can refer you to a mental-health specialist (some specialize in ADHD), who should begin by ruling out other possible reasons for the behavior.#N#The most effective strategy for treating ADHD consists of more than one approach. There is some evidence that the combination of behavioral therapy with medication can work better than drugs alone for some children. But behavior therapy alone does not work for all children, especially those who have severe symptoms.#N#As with most disorders for which multiple medications are available, there are no definitive comparison studies to show which ones work best in specific circumstances, according to Michael L. Goldstein, M.D., a child neurologist with Western Neurological Associates in Salt Lake City, and a former vice president of the American Academy of Neurology.#N#Two classes of medication are available for treating ADHD:

How satisfied are parents with ADHD medications?

Taking all this into consideration, how satisfied are parents with medications their children are taking for ADHD? Overall, only 41 percent were highly satsfied (16 percent were "completely satisfied" and 25 percent were "very satisfied"). About one-third (29 percent) were dissatisfied and the remainder were fairly satisfied (30 percent). There were no differences in overall satisfaction between those groups trying amphetamines or methylphenidates.

What are the two types of medications used for ADHD?

Two classes of medication are available for treating ADHD: Stimulant medications, such as dextroamphetamine-based drugs (Adderall, Vyvanese) and methylphenidate-based drugs (Concerta, Daytrana, Ritalin). They are also available as generics. Nonstimulant medication, such as the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin and generic) ...

How long does methylphenidate stay in your system?

Standard release means that the medication will be in your child's system for a given period of time (usually about three hours), at which point another dose needs to be administered to maintain the effect.

What are the side effects of taking amphetamines?

And among those who reported no longer taking a specific medication, 35 percent said it was because of side effects. Decreased appetite, sleep problems, weight loss, irritability, and upset stomach were ...

What are the side effects of SSRIs?

SSRIs, the most commonly prescribed antidepressants, can have the following side effects: 1 Gastrointestinal symptoms 2 Insomnia or sedation 3 Dry mouth 4 Dizziness 5 Weight gain 6 Headaches 7 Sexual side effects

Why are MAOIs not prescribed?

MAOIs are not prescribed as frequently because they can have serious side effects and drug or food interactions. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): These antidepressants are not commonly prescribed for teens or younger patients due to side effects unless the patient is unresponsive to SSRIs.

How do SSRIs affect mood?

SSRIs elevate mood by raising serotonin. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): These were some of the first antidepressants developed. MAOIs increase serotonin by blocking the enzyme that breaks it down. MAOIs are not prescribed as frequently because they can have serious side effects and drug or food interactions.

How many adolescents have had a major depressive episode in 2015?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 3 million American adolescents, age 12 to 17, had at least one major depressive episode in 2015. 1 This number represented 12.5% of the adolescent population. Article continues below.

Why is there a black box for antidepressants?

FDA issues a “black box” warning for all antidepressants in young people up to the age of 24 because of the risk the drugs might increase suicidal thinking and behavior, particularly during the first one to two months of treatment. 3.

What is treatment planning?

Treatment planning should be a collaborative effort between patients, families and providers. All parties are encouraged to work together to increase chances of treatment success. Even involving the school may be beneficial at times, depending on the severity of depressive symptoms.

Can antidepressants cause side effects?

Cons of medication. All medications have side effects. Some antidepressants can cause minor side effects that are annoying but manageable, while others can result in serious side effects. It’s important to discuss all potential side effects prior to beginning treatment with an antidepressant, and keep a close eye on your teen ...

When should medication be considered?

At what point should medication be considered? In the event of a serious condition in which safety is a concern, after a prolonged series of therapy sessions in which the patient and their therapist see no improvement, or when physical symptoms of a mental disorder are becoming unbearable. At this point discussing medication either with a mental health professional or with your primary care physician is appropriate.

Why do antidepressants have a black box warning?

In turn, antidepressants and anxiety medications are required by the FDA to carry a “black box warning,” the highest warning available to prescription medications, due to the increased risk of suicidal thoughts that some patients experience while taking the medication , particularly in the first few weeks of adjustment.

What is the most common medication used for OCD?

The most commonly prescribed are antidepressants and mood stablizers, both used to treat depression and a host of anxiety disorders such as OCD. The majority of psychiatric medication acts to correct imbalanced brain chemistry. Antidepressants, for instance, often hinder the breakdown of serotonin in the brain.

What is psychopharmacology medication?

At this point, many doctors choose to prescribe a psychopharmalogical drug, usually made of a synthetic chemical compound that helps to compensate for imbalanced brain chemistry. Psychiatric medication comes in seven categories, each to treat a separate mental disorder: antidepressants, stimulants, anti-psychotics, mood stabilizers, depressants, ...

When does therapy help with depression?

When depression and anxiety begin interfering with daily life, therapy is recommended. For some, however, traditional therapy falls short of their specific needs and they do not see a substantial change in behavior and/or emotion.

Do antidepressants cause serotonin to go away?

Antidepressants, for instance, often hinder the breakdown of serotonin in the brain. Some argue, however, that medication does more harm than good. The National Health Institute notes that only roughly 60 percent of people on antidepressants note a significant change in feeling.

Is medication assisted treatment for opioid use disorder good or bad?

Although these medication-assisted treatments have been approved by the FDA and have strong empiric evidence for superior outcomes, it is important to know the good and the bad.

Is methadone a MAT?

Medication-assisted treatments (MAT), methadone, buprenorphine, and extended-release naltrexone, approved by the FDA, have strong empiric evidence for superior outcomes compared with medication-free behavioral approaches or short-term detoxification. This slideshow presents the pros and cons of MAT modalities. For more on this topic, see Responding to the Opioid Epidemic and Expanding Access to Quality Treatment, on which this slideshow is based.

Does immunotherapy cause weight gain?

Some types of immunotherapy rev up your immune system and make you feel like you have the flu, complete with fever, chills, and fatigue. Others could cause problems like swelling, weight gain from extra fluids, heart palpitations, a stuffy head, and diarrhea. Most of the time, these ease up after your first treatment.

Does immunotherapy work?

Immunotherapy may work when other treatments don’t. Some cancers (like skin cancer) don’t respond well to radiation or chemotherapy but start to go away after immunotherapy.

How much did antihypertensive treatment reduce the risk of stroke?

Anti-hypertensive treatment was associated with a 7% reduction in the relative risk of dying over the course of follow-up and a 16% reduction in the relative risk of stroke. These reductions were statistically significant. Unfortunately, there was no statistically significant reduction in the risk of having a heart attack.

Is it bad to drop blood pressure?

And if some part of the body has determined that it needs a higher blood pressure in order to function properly, then dropping the blood pressure might not be a good idea. It might for example cause the kidneys to fail, or the brain to temporarily cut out, causing the person to faint, fall down, and break their hip or suffer an intracranial bleed.

Do people on blood pressure medications die less than people on placebo?

We don’t know . However, the fact that people on the blood pressure medications were overall less likely to die than people on placebo is encouraging, suggesting that the hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury and hypotension are for the most part at the more benign end of the spectrum.

Do multi-morbid elderly suffer from blood pressure lowering drugs?

The multi-morbid elderly have less ability to compensate for the changes to their physiology induced by blood pressure lowering drugs, and it is therefore likely that they suffer adverse events at a higher rate than was found in the review.

Can you faint from taking blood pressure lowering drugs?

For the same reason, it’s reasonable to assume that someone getting multiple blood pressure lowering drugs has a much bigger risk of fainting, to take one example, than someone taking just one drug.

Can you combine blood pressure medication with placebo?

One problem with the systematic review is that the vast majority of studies were comparing a single blood pressure medication with placebo. Different blood pressure medications work in different ways. Some cause arteries to dilate. Some cause the body to hold on to less fluids. Some cause the heart to beat less powerfully. This is why it’s possible to combine different blood pressure lowering drugs and achieve a larger reduction in blood pressure than you would with just one drug.

Do people with high blood pressure live longer?

In general, people with high blood pressure who take a blood pressure lowering drug do appear to live a little bit longer than people who don’t. They also faint more often and their kidneys don’t function as well.

Why do doctors need validation?

Physicians need validation that their reason for going to medical school, which was most assuredly that they wanted to help people, is still true. These attributes will never be realized through a sterile, human-less technology.

What metrics do we measure to improve?

In the world today, those options may seem to be absolutely on point. We would expect all those metrics we measure to improve – access, flow and satisfaction. A whole new era of medical care could be on the horizon. But of course, as we're taught in 6th grade science class, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. And what those might be in a new techno-health care era need to be explored.

How does telemedicine help?

Telemedicine can allow care and access to specialists across long distances. Often, people can be virtually seen by a provider – and get both a diagnosis and prescribed treatment – without leaving their home. One has to wonder how long before we'll be "streaming" all but the most complex health care interactions.

Can technology replace touch?

Technology can't replace the warmth of human interaction and touch. In today's world, we're driven by instant access to whatever we want. After all, you can do everything via an app: set up rides, pay bills, order food for delivery and shop for anything that can often be delivered overnight.

Can a doctor interpret a test?

Lastly, test results can be – at best – difficult to interpret, and at worst, lead to devastating news. In the past, doctors would review these results and call and offer more than just a number or formal reading. They would interpret the results into something meaningful, and hopefully the delivery was with compassion. When someone who doesn't have a medical degree opens a portal and sees a flagged, abnormal result with no interpretation, there's room for all kinds of stories to form in their minds – plus great anxiety that may not even be necessary, as not every flagged result is clinically significant depending on the patient complaint. However, the workload of the physician can often result in delays hearing back on much anticipated results. Sometimes that means late-day phone calls, after office hours and when no one has much energy to talk.