This isn’t a joke. The drug information for a diabetes medicine said that the possible side effects might include drowsiness or sleeplessness and diarrhea or constipation. The anti-depression tablets’ enclosure said that they could cause melancholy. The sleep aid said that it might bring about insomnia. So, how seriously should those disclosures be taken? Very seriously, very seriously indeed.

According to www.drugwatch.com’s website, more than half of Americans are taking at least one prescription medication and the occurrence of side effects is inevitable. Individuals should know what they’re taking, why they’re taking it and what to do if there’s an adverse reaction. Remember the medication is prescribed for your health, not your care provider’s so ask lots of questions and read up on the potential risks.

Under-stand that some people will experience side effects more severely than others, often based on age, weight, gender and what symptoms the drug is being used for.

What should you do if you begin to feel the onset of a side effect? Contact your physician. Do not just stop taking the drug. Be sure to tell him about other medications or supplements that you’re taking so he’ll know if it’s a reaction or an interaction.

Use your pharmacist as an expert resource before mixing prescription drugs with over-the-counter medications, antacids, herbal and vitamin supplements as they may cause or enhance side effects.

And, it’s not just about drug interaction. There are high blood pressure and high cholesterol reducing drugs that will warn you not to eat grapefruit because it alters the ability for absorption. Also the acidity of fruit juice may decrease the effectiveness of antibiotics such as penicillin. Dairy products may blunt the infection-fighting effects of tetracycline.

Antidepressants (called MAO inhibitors) are dangerous when mixed with foods or drinks that contain tyramine (i.e., beer, red wine, and some cheeses), according to New York-Presbyterian Health Center’s website.

Keep an up-to-date list of all of the medications that you take, the dosage of the medicine, what you take it for and how often.

Be informed and be prepared. An emergency can occur at any time.

Some side effects are just a nuisance, others are debilitating. If you have an onset of a severe reaction and your doctor isn’t available, contact either Bonner General Immediate Care Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Call 263-0649. Bonner General Hospital’s emergency staff is well equipped to treat you 24-hours per day.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at [email protected], 264-4029.