The hidden dangers of skipping your prescribed medication

Diabetes is a heterogeneous spectrum, where the requirement for lifelong medication varies based on the types of diabetes. “Insulin-based Type 1 diabetes caused due to severe insulin deficiency needs lifelong medication. In insulin-resistant Type 2, medication is needed to make the insulin function, whereas diabetes caused by obesity, do not require lifelong medication if the patient loses weight,” says Dr A Mythili, former professor at Andhra Medical College and consultant endocrinologist, Secretary, Diabetic Child Society, adding, “In some cases, diabetes can go into remission even if there may not be a permanent cure. However, every change in medication should be done in consultation with doctor and lifestyle modification is also important. If the sugar level goes beyond 400, due to discontinuation or erratic intake of medicines, the patient can land up in a hospital as an acute emergency case.”

There are various types of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid cases and the same outcome cannot be predicted for all despite treatment. “For a few, hypothyroidism can be reversed depending on the medicines, body constitution, genetics, lifestyle, exposure to pollution etc. In case of hyperthyroid, for few cases, there can be remission with chances of reoccurrence. It is essential not only to continue the prescribed medication but also to undergo a follow-up blood test every six months to one year,” says Dr K.A.V. Subramanyam, professor and head of the department of Endocrinology at King George Hospital (KGH), Vizag and adds, “Patients who require high dosage of thyroxine medication (100-150 mg) can go into myxedema coma and convulsions if they stop medication and switch to alternative medicines. Due to low sodium levels, it can be even fatal for them.”

There are several socio-economic and psychological reasons for patients stopping their prescribed drugs, opting for alternative medicines, sometimes mixing both modern and ayurvedic or homeopathic medicines! With constant exposure to tall claims about curing every disease by promoters of alternative medicines and some social media influencers speaking about reversing lifestyle ailments, patients tend to make misinformed choices and stop consumption of daily prescribed pills once their ailments are under control.

Patients often mistakenly think or are misled into thinking that resorting to Homeopathy, Unani, Ayurveda etc. can permanently cure their ailment. They believe alternative medicines do not have side effects and they need not be on medication lifelong once their condition is reversed.

Fallout of not taking prescribed drugs: What experts say

For certain common ailments, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, high BP/hypertension and clinical depression, usually lifelong or long-term medication is prescribed, which needs to be taken every day or till the treating doctor alters or minimises or stops the dosage.

To prevent organ damage and avert situations like heart attack, stroke, kidney failure etc, it is necessary that patients of diabetes and hypertension continue their lifelong or long-term medication. Any change in dosage should be prescribed only by a qualified doctor and not by quacks or social media influencers. I have observed that sometimes insulin injections for Type 1 diabetes in children are discontinued and at times controller medication for asthma is not duly administered. This can be dangerous and fatal for children and aggravate the existing blood sugar and asthma several times. The diabetic child can develop complexities like cerebral edema and diabetic ketoacidosis while respiratory issues can get severe if asthma medication is discontinued or taken erratically,” explains Dr Sivaranjani Santosh, senior consultant paediatrician, Magna Centres

High Blood Pressure/ Hypertension

Do not stop, reduce or mix your modern medicine with any alternative system of medicine or herbal formulations without consulting your doctor. Certain alternative medicines have been found to contain alcohol or other adulterations and can have serious side effects too, says Dr Sandip Roy, general medicine expert and science writer, CMD Ramakrishna Healthcare, Delhi

Depression

Depression is multi-factorial. Various socio-economic and genetic causes can be behind it and treatment depends on the root causes. In the majority of cases, especially mild to moderate depression is reversible and patients need to take medicines for a few months under a psychiatrist’s supervision, with additional counselling and follow-ups. Some cases may relapse depending on external factors or triggers. It is always advisable not to stop or switch to alternative methods without advice of a qualified psychiatrist. Medicines or supplements are needed to address the deficiency of neurotransmitters. Non-adherence can even aggravate depression into chronic bipolarism or other severe mental ailments,” says Prof. Dr G Suresh Kumar, Department of psychiatry, Government Hospital for Mental Care, Andhra Medical College.