Muscle Disorders—Drug Reactions

Also called: Side effects

Most of the time, medicines make our lives better. They reduce aches and pains, fight infections, and control problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But medicines can also cause unwanted reactions.

One problem is interactions, which may occur between

• Two drugs, such as aspirin and blood thinners
• Drugs and food, such as statins and grapefruit
• Drugs and supplements, such as ginkgo and blood thinners
• Drugs and diseases, such as aspirin and peptic ulcers

Interactions can change the actions of one or both drugs. The drugs might not work, or you could get side effects.

Side effects are unwanted effects caused by the drugs. Most are mild, such as a stomach aches or drowsiness, and go away after you stop taking the drug. Others can be more serious.

Drug allergies are another type of reaction. They can be mild or life-threatening. Skin reactions, such as hives and rashes, are the most common type. Anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, is more rare.

When you start a new prescription or over-the-counter medication, make sure you understand how to take it correctly. Know which other medications and foods you need to avoid. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

• Angioedema (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Drug allergies (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Drug-induced diarrhea (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Drug-induced tremor (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Taking multiple medicines safely (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Myopathy

Your muscles help you move and help your body work. Different types of muscles have different jobs. There are many problems that can affect muscles. Muscle disorders can cause weakness, pain or even paralysis.

Causes of muscle disorders include

• Injury or overuse, such as sprains or strains, cramps or tendinitis
• A genetic disorder, such as muscular dystrophy
• Some cancers
• Inflammation, such as myositis
• Diseases of nerves that affect muscles
• Infections
• Certain medicines

Sometimes the cause is not known.

• Caring for muscle spasticity or spasms (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Compartment syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Contracture deformity (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Creatine phosphokinase test (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Electromyography (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Eyelid twitch (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Hypotonia (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Muscle aches (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Muscle atrophy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Muscle function loss (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Muscle twitching (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Rhabdomyolysis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Weakness (Medical Encyclopedia)