Palpitations, clouded consciousness, hyperventilation syndrome…emergency transport! Obata’s brother faced “drug overdose and risk of life

It’s supposed to stop you from coughing, but it’s driving your heart into a tailspin.

One more “I can’t stop coughing” or “I’m feeling kind of dull” may be costing you your life.

The news that TV personality Obata no Ojisan (37) was rushed to the emergency room after using an inhaler more than five times a day to suppress a cough is still fresh in our minds. He went through palpitations, tremors, and a clouded state of consciousness, eventually succumbing to hyperventilation syndrome.

The case of Obata’s brother is not an uncommon one. As a pharmacist who has dealt with many patients, I have seen many times how self-judged overdose of medicines can damage one’s health.

There is a limit to the amount of medication, whether over-the-counter or prescription. Beyond that limit is a parade of side effects. Drugs that are supposed to improve one’s health can, on the contrary, damage one’s health.

Inhalants: The single-minded desire to “stop coughing” puts the heart on edge.

Inhalants are like charms that help you breathe easier. The ingredients are β2 stimulants that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, which affects not only the bronchial tubes but also the heart, blood vessels, and muscles.
A fast pulse, trembling limbs, anxiety, and headaches …… are typical signs of overuse. Overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system increases the strain on the heart and can be life-threatening.
The misconception that one should get better with repeated use can be fatal.

Cough medicines” may have different names, but their contents are almost the same.

A light-hearted decision to try a different medicine because the previous one didn’t work can lead to taking a number of different medicines with different ingredients. In drugstores, cough medicines and common cold remedies are listed on separate shelves, but in fact the ingredients contained in them are surprisingly similar.

For example, ingredients such as dextromethorphan hydrobromide, dihydrocodeine phosphate, methylephedrine hydrochloride, and antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine maleate are often found in both drugs.

When these drugs are used together, there is a risk of serious side effects such as hallucinations, delirium, disorientation, and even respiratory depression. Life-threatening cases are not uncommon. They can also be a gateway to overdose, so be sure to check the ingredients.

Painkillers: “One more pill because it doesn’t work” causes collapse of the stomach and kidneys.

Loxonin, Bufferin, Nalon Ace…….are you casually adding various painkillers?

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have an effect of damaging the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, and there is a risk of causing gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, side effects of renal and hepatic dysfunction should not be overlooked.

People often say, “Loxonin didn’t work, so I’ll take Naron Ace at ……,” or “I changed my medicine, so I’ll be fine. Such self-judgment is the most dangerous. In particular, taking it on an empty stomach or taking it with alcohol is the worst combination. Damage to the mucous membranes can deepen further, and bleeding can progress without any subjective symptoms.

The fact that the drug is over-the-counter and not from a hospital can lead to a hole in the stomach.

Caffeine: Multiple doping to make you sleepy can cause your heart to stop beating?

Lipovitan D, Yunkel, and Estarone Mocha …… all contain caffeine. The safe upper limit for caffeine is around 400 mg per day, which is quickly exceeded if multiple products are used together. There is a risk of heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, convulsions, and worst of all, cardiac arrest.

There have been cases of caffeine poisoning deaths in Japan; in 2014, a man in his 20s in the Kyushu region died from caffeine intoxication. You keep drinking caffeine products because you are busy at work or because you want to concentrate. You find that your heart is over its limit.

Chinese medicine is dangerous because it is natural.

People who think that Chinese herbal medicine is safe because it is derived from nature are the ones who are most likely to fall into this pitfall.

The combination of herbal ingredients such as hemp and licorice can cause high blood pressure, arrhythmia, and muscle weakness. Taking multiple herbal medicines at random, based on the misconception that Chinese medicine is safe, is even riskier than taking Western medicines.

Do not be deceived by the image of natural origin. Chinese medicine is a hotbed of multiple drug use that is difficult to see.

Laxatives: “Adding laxatives because they don’t come out” makes constipation a chronic condition.

If you take too many laxatives, you will shorten the life of your intestines.

Excessive use of laxatives can cause the intestines to become unable to move on their own, leading to laxative dependence. Especially in the elderly, there is a risk of triggering dehydration and heart failure, which can be fatal. Constipation is not always defined as a lack of bowel movement, and the definition of constipation varies from person to person. Over-reliance on medication in an attempt to produce constipation is abnormal.

Medicines are originally intended to help the body recover. However, if they are used incorrectly, they can rob people of their health and threaten their lives. It is not a matter of using more medicine. Every drug has a proper dosage, and if the dosage exceeds the proper level, it becomes poison. When in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.