Over The Counter Medication Complications

Over the counter remedies are all thought to be very safe; since a doctor’s prescription is unnecessary. That however, is not true. All medications, whether they are prescribed or not, have side effects, and can react with other pharmacological entities. In some cases, these effects could have very detrimental consequences. As an example, drinking grapefruit juice when taking cholesterol lowering medication affects the metabolism of the medication, and can create a toxic environment. Further, milk neutralizes the antioxidant affect of tea, and facial creams can raise eye pressure.

The blood supply of the scalp is shared with that of the forehead, and eye lids. Any products applied to the head, or scalp can be absorbed into the blood stream, and ultimately get introduced into the eye. One such potential complication is hair coloring chemicals. We have seen on numerous patients, eye irritations, and allergies on women who have had their hair colored. The chemicals travel from the scalp to the eye lids into the eyes causing a negative reaction.

A much more serious issue is the use of steroid cream frequently used by Dermatologists. Most of the time, this cream used for the treatment of allergies, dermatitis, and even to reduce wrinkles. However, a recent study conducted in Concord, North Carolina concluded that ” ….although secondary ocular hypertension from topical steroid eye lid cream is unlikely, it is possible that enough of the drug is absorbed into the eye in sufficient quantities to raise the intraocular pressure in a steroid responder.” What this study found was that in certain individuals, the steroid cream can cause the pressure in the eye to rise, and ultimately cause damage to the eye if left untreated.

Steroids have long been used in the eye to treat inflammation, but only when carefully monitored. When such medications are employed near the eye, but are not carefully followed, can raise the pressure and cause Glaucoma. A similar study described a 29 year old woman being treated for Eczema for many years who ultimately went to her eye doctor with glaucoma in both eyes, and irreversible vision loss attributed to the steroid creams used around her eyes.

In short, it is very important for patients to realize that all medications may have secondary affects, and can cause disorders not related to the conditions they are being treated for. It is vital to understand any potential side affects, and follow up with related health care professionals to be sure the medications being taken are not creating collateral disorders.