- Medication side effects - lush hair, long eyelashes
- Side effects - drugs stain urine
- Medication side effects - what about those eyes?
- Drug side effects - one step away from madness?
Although the terms "side effect" and "side effect" in the case of drugs may sound threatening, sometimes they turn out to be at least funny and even useful, such as longer lashes or a tan.
Experienced doctors and pharmacists can guess what drugs a patient is taking, only by his appearance. Some of them affect the skin or hair in a very characteristic way. For example, people taking methotrexate (an anti-cancer drug and an immunosuppressant) tan faster. However, this side effect can be dangerous as it often leads to burns and radiation dermatitis.
Products with St. John's wort have a similar effect. This herb is often found in natural preparations for stress and depression (eg Deprim). Unfortunately, substances contained in St. John's wort (psolarena) sensitize the skin to sunlight, which accelerates tanning. The problem is that when used orally, its distribution across the skin can be uneven - and this results in darker patches, which is not necessarily the desired tanning effect. Interestingly, St. John's wort oil can be found in some sunbathing cosmetics.
Medication side effects - lush hair, long eyelashes
A drug whose side effects have found application in cosmetology is also finasteride. It is a prescription drug that is often prescribed to men suffering from an enlarged prostate. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of the so-called "Bad testosterone" which is DHT - responsible for the hypertrophy of the prostate gland. DHT is also one of the causes of androgenetic alopecia - it causes miniaturization of the hair follicles, which shortens the hair's life span. Androgenetic alopecia mainly affects men, but also women with hormonal disorders (e.g. during pregnancy or menopause). As a result, finasteride is used to treat alopecia - by mouth and as an ingredient in hair care products.
An interesting side effect has bimatoprost - an anti-inflammatory drug, used in the form of eye drops in the case of increased intraocular pressure in people suffering from glaucoma (eg Lumigan). Well, this substance stimulates the growth of eyelashes. It can be found in eyelash extension conditioners.
Side effects - drugs stain urine
A fairly common side effect of certain medications is changecolor of the urine. They include psychotropic drugs, antifungal drugs, antibiotics, and some herbal raw materials.
| Color | Drugs |
| red | erythromycin, clindamycin, lutein |
| red, darkens after standing | Madopar |
| pink / red | rifampicin, senna |
| orange | ß-carotene, sulfasalazine, vit. B complex, |
| intense yellow | furagina |
| dark brown | metronidazole, nitrofurantoin |
| black | iron |
| green-blue | amitriptyline |
| greenish or blue | indomethacin, propofol |
Medication side effects - what about those eyes?
Patients using certain medications often complain of quite unusual vision problems - double vision, nystagmus or strabismus. However, the change in the color of vision is definitely the most "spectacular". Such a side effect gives, among others digoxin (a very powerful drug for heart failure). Its overdose makes the eyes perceive yellow more intensively. Interestingly, the famous painter van Gogh is suspected of using this substance (naturally occurring in digitalis). It was probably for this reason that he saw the world in yellow, and this effect was magnified by the absinthe, which the painter also did not despise. As a result, van Gogh was able to see yellow halo of light around the stars, which was reflected in his images.
The list of drugs that change the color of vision is longer. You can see the world in blue after taking sildenafil (a known erectile dysfunction drug), as it inhibits an enzyme found in the retina. On the other hand, the antibiotic rifampicin does not directly affect the functioning of the eye, but may be secreted into the tear fluid and stain contact lenses orange. Vision problems may be experienced, among others patients using risperdal (a drug used, among others, in the treatment of schizophrenia) - this time, however, it is not about changing the color of vision. Side effect with this medication is that it weakens your eyesight and feels like you are looking through a fog.
A similar side effect occurs with sumatriptan treatment - this drug can cause vision loss, scotomas, which can be reversible, but can also cause permanent visual defects. In turn, people using morphine, diazepam and streptomycin may complain about double vision and nystagmus. Penicillins, on the other hand, can cause inflammation of the nerveand consequently lead to strabismus. A side effect may also be unusual eye behavior, such as rotational eye movements after sulpiride and carbamazepine, or exophthalmos after prednisone. In turn, pregabalin, in addition to tunnel vision, can cause the impression of image wobbling and bright vision. Involuntary movements, such as compulsive looking up, can be seen in patients reaching for ondansetron.
Drug side effects - one step away from madness?
Deafness or tinnitus can be caused by: azithromycin, vancomycin, streptomycin, but also furosemide. Certain medications, such as fluoxetine and clomipramine, make hearing sharp. There are also drugs that can alter the taste. And so, after metronidazole, metformin or amitriptyline, a metallic aftertaste may appear in the mouth.
Madopar (a drug used to treat Parkinson's disease) changes the color of the oral mucosa, tongue and teeth. Phenytoin and ergotamine cause gingival hyperplasia. One of the dramatic-looking side effects is a black, hairy tongue from doxycycline. This antibiotic also causes permanent dark discoloration of the enamel, so we do not give it to children.
Some medications may have an effect on their behavior as a side effect. It is even possible to change your character - increase your boldness, aggression or sex drive. For example, impulse control disorders occur in people taking the aforementioned madopar, but also bromocriptine, which may include gambling addiction, compulsive overeating or spending, and excessive sexual desire. Patients taking madopar even compare its effects to drugs and when using it, they have a strong need to experience strong emotions.
Mood changes can occur after taking cardiac medications, such as beta-blockers - often suspected of causing psychosis and hallucinations. Metoprolol and propranolol have this effect. Interestingly, the second of these drugs is often recommended in the case of the so-called stage anxiety. Taking it before an important performance or stressful event allows you to stay calm and composed. Another side effect of propranolol is the feeling of cold hands and feet.
ImportantBefore using the drugs mentioned in the text, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage, as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly poses a threat to your he alth. life or he alth.