Hazards of Over Compliance of Drugs

There are substantial health benefits to the patients if the drug compliance by them is 100 percent. The good communication skills of the attending physician could be helpful to overcome the chances of over compliance by a considerable number of patients. Patients need to be briefed about the side effects of over doses as well as the extra doses of the drugs prescribed to them. The intake of over doses or extra doses of any prescribed drug is called over compliance. Inspite of best efforts by the prescribing doctors, about 20% patients may even take more drugs than the prescribed dose to get cured quickly and earlier, but this can be harmful and lead to serious toxicity or a variety of side effects.

Just remember, all drugs are poisonous chemicals and if taken in excess these may affect our health in many wrong ways. Even an indicative dose of an anti-allergic causes drowsiness and if taken in excess it may lead to impairment of judgment while driving. Take an example of common salt, excessive intake of it may induce vomiting and raise the blood pressure. Over use of antibiotics may disturb the normal flora of our intestine and suppress the blood formation in the bone marrow. Over compliance of steroids is known for suppressing the immune system of our body. An over dose of insulin may lead to serious hypoglycemia (low level of glucose in blood) in a diabetic patient. Overuse of some drugs may lead to serious health hazards including organ failure. Be wise and never take over dose of any drug.