October 22, 2019

The Pros and Cons of Prescription Drugs


Like it or not, prescription drugs have their place in our medically advanced society. Many diseases and conditions would run rampant if it weren't for the use of prescription drug protocols to treat maladies.

Unfortunately, the use of prescription drugs has its drawbacks as well. Misuse, dependency, and powerful addiction result from too many drugs being prescribed casually and without regard for the health of the user. While your doctor may be encouraging you to take prescription drugs for one or more conditions that you have, you must carefully weigh the pros and cons of their use before deciding whether to incorporate them.

Prescription Drugs, medicine, health,
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Pros of prescription drug use

1. When used correctly, prescription drugs benefit the user in wonderful ways. They are often the answer for the management of life-threatening conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unchecked cholesterol or even cancer. Prescription drugs help to stimulate and mimic a well-functioning body; many lives are saved with the use of these powerful substances. Without their use, people suffer a lower quality of life and even death.

2. Another benefit of using prescription drugs is that they make life easier when dealing with uncomfortable symptoms. For strep throat, pericoronitis, and other bacterial infections, antibiotics can alleviate symptoms by destroying the pathogens at the source. For more serious types of conditions and illnesses, responsible prescription drug use helps to reduce discomfort and make life more bearable, despite the fact that these conditions cannot necessarily be cured.

3. Prescription drugs can also prevent certain conditions from forming; protecting people and preventing illness is a major factor in their development and the reason that they continue to be used to manage outbreaks. Vaccines, for instance, are intended to protect large portions of the population by helping to boost immunity and diminish the effects of certain communicable diseases.

Cons of prescription drug use

1. Some people who begin prescription drug protocols with good intentions quickly find themselves becoming dependent on the drug to feel "normal". Length of time, dosage, and the type of drug all contribute to the potential for a patient to form an addiction to a substance. Prescription opioids, in particular, are the most dangerous types of prescribed drugs. Those who become addicted to prescription opioids almost always end up requiring treatment through a facility like Hotel California by the Sea Cincinnati in order to get clean. As demonstrated by the growing number of opioid-related deaths in the U.S. and elsewhere, the consequences of not getting help can be tragic.

2. Prescription drugs are subject to misuse and abuse by those who were never intended to use the drug. Teens and adults take prescription drugs for their side effects, not necessarily to treat a certain condition, and may steal these drugs from family members who need them. Easy access to these substances via the family medicine cabinet poses a greater risk for family members who wish to dabble in their recreational use.

3. Side effects of prescription drugs can have serious, if not deadly, consequences. In some cases, the potential list of side effects is much larger than the actual beneficial effects that a drug can have on a person. In these situations, a patient must weigh the benefits vs. the consequences to determine if it is worth taking in the first place. Talking to your doctor about the potential risks of a drug will help you determine if it is safe for you to do so.

While the intent behind prescription drug development and implementation is to benefit people and improve health, we must commit to responsible administration and responsible use to gain their full beneficial effects. Talking to your doctor if you have any questions about prescribed drugs is a smart choice; being informed about potential risks and side effects will allow you to gain its benefits while minimizing risks.

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