There are many reasons why people suddenly stop taking their medication. It may be because they can no longer afford the medication, they have unpleasant side effects, or they find that they are feeling well and do not need to take more.
However, stopping taking medication suddenly can be a serious mistake, greatly affecting health, according to Medical News Today (UK).
Stopping blood pressure medication suddenly can increase the risk of artery damage and stroke.
Some medications need to be tapered off gradually because the patient can develop dependence on the medication. If stopped abruptly, withdrawal symptoms such as tremors, anxiety, sweating, and rapid heartbeat may appear. In severe cases, death may result.
Medications that should not be stopped suddenly, and if you want to stop, you need to consult your doctor, include, according to Medical News Today.
Blood pressure medication
For people with high blood pressure, taking medication regularly will help control blood pressure very effectively. Depending on the type prescribed, the medication will help control the heart's pumping rate, reduce blood pressure and increase the excretion of salt and water from the body.
Suddenly stopping your medication increases your risk of artery damage, stroke, optic nerve damage, kidney failure, and other kidney problems.
Stopping antidepressants can cause some symptoms of depression to return, such as anxiety, crying, and panic attacks.
Antidepressants
People who take antidepressants may start to feel better after a while. Then they stop taking the medication because they no longer need it. This can be a serious mistake.
Antidepressants work by rebalancing the neurotransmitters in the brain. Stopping them suddenly can cause the neurotransmitters to become imbalanced again. This can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, stomach cramps, crying, panic attacks, mood swings, and even suicidal thoughts. People with depression should only stop taking their medication if their doctor tells them to.
Benzodiazepines
This drug is commonly used in addiction recovery, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It is even used by dentists to calm anxiety before dental work.
However, the downside of benzodiazepines is that they can lead to drug dependence. Abrupt discontinuation can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, and even death.
Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat a variety of conditions, from asthma to irritable bowel syndrome. They are synthetic versions of the hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands.
Stopping the medication abruptly can cause symptoms such as joint pain, low blood pressure, fatigue, mood swings, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. Therefore, when wanting to stop taking the medication, patients should consult a doctor for specific instructions, according to Medical News Today.
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