Side effects, but why???

Just like spicy food can lead to stomach aches and coffee can stain your teeth, medications can lead to unintended consequences known as side effects.

Like interlocking puzzle pieces, medicines are designed for a specific location in the body. But just as you can sometimes fit a puzzle piece where it doesn’t belong, medicines can act on sites that they closely match with but weren’t designed for. Side effects can happen when the medicine ends up at one of these sites.

Often, this occurs because medicines interact with other species in your body. Other medicines, herbal and dietary supplements, vitamins, and even food and drink are all other pieces complicating the puzzle.

Every medication has a unique set of potential side effects, each caused by different factors or interactions. This is why every medication has very specific instructions about how and when to take it.

While carefully following the instructions for a given medication is the best way to minimize your risk, sometimes side effects are unavoidable; after all, everyone has a unique biology and the body is quite complicated! Don’t be afraid to ask your health care providers any questions you might have.

How can traffic jams and texting help explain side effects?