Doctors name medications that are often taken incorrectly

Doctors warn about common mistakes in taking medications: antibiotics without a prescription, antipyretics for low-grade fever, incorrect choice of cough remedies, prolonged use of nasal drops, self-medication with blood pressure medications and laxatives, and uncontrolled use of painkillers. Experts provide recommendations for safe medication use.

Doctors have named medications that patients often take incorrectly and explained the potential consequences. Antibiotics, they say, should only be prescribed for confirmed bacterial infections; otherwise, their use leads to bacterial resistance and disruption of gut flora. Antipyretics should not be taken immediately upon a rise in temperature, as this hinders antibody production; they are recommended for temperatures above 38.5 degrees Celsius. Cough remedies should be chosen based on the type of cough: antitussives for dry cough, mucolytics for wet cough, otherwise mucus stagnation may occur. Vasoconstrictor nasal drops should not be used for more than 5-7 days due to the risk of addiction and chronic rhinitis. Blood pressure medications require individual selection by a doctor; self-medication can cause blood pressure spikes and impair heart and kidney function. Regular use of laxatives leads to the bowel ceasing to work independently and also risks dehydration. Painkillers mask symptoms of serious diseases such as ulcers or heart attacks, and with frequent use, they harm the liver and kidneys. Doctors advise against self-medication, recommend reading instructions, not exceeding dosages, and not mixing medications without consultation.

Doctors name medications that are often taken incorrectly