These are commonly used medications and the conditions they are usually used for.

We have included some of the more common side effects.

Analgesia

Treatment for: Pain relief

Potential Side Effects: Over use or prolonged use can cause; nausea and vomiting, stomach ulcers, decreased appetite, constipation or diarrhoea, chronic headaches, abdominal pain, kidney damage, aggravation of asthma, dizziness, skin rashes and heartburn. 

Antibiotics

Treatment for: Infections caused by bacteria

Potential Side Effects: Diarrhoea, feeling sick and vomiting are the most common side effects. 

Some people get a fungal infection such as thrush after treatment with antibiotics for a longer period of time. 

More serious rare sideeffects include kidney problems, blood disorders, increased sensitivity to sun & deafness. 

Anti-coagulants

Treatment for: Prevention of thrombosis

Thrombosis is the formation of blood clots in blood vessels and their migration elsewhere. 

Potential Side Effects: Warfarin thins the blood so can increase bruising and bleeding, which can be severe or life-threatening. 

Regular blood tests are required. Aspirin may cause gastric irritation, stomach ulcers and bleeding.

Anti-convulsants

Treatment for: Epilepsy

Can also be used to stabilise mood and episodes of mania associated with some mental health illnesses.

Potential Side Effects: Valproate can be harmful to unborn babies. 

Carbamazepine and lamotrigine often cause side effects, which include: tiredness and sleepiness, dizziness, concentration or memory problems, confusion, sickness, double vision, reduced white blood cells and allergic skin reactions

Anti-depressants

Treatment for: Depression

…by changing the chemical balance in the brain to change the psychological state of the mind. 

Potential Side Effects: Common side effects include: blurred vision, dizziness, drowsiness, increased appetite, nausea, restlessness, shaking or trembling, and difficulty sleeping. 

Other side effects include: dry mouth, constipation, and sweating.

Anti-hypertensive & Cardiovascular

Treatment for: To control high blood pressure and help with heart conditions

Medications such as: ACE inhibitors , calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers.

Potential Side Effects: ACE inhibitors can cause unpredictable effects if taken with other medications, including some over-the-counter ones. 

Other side effects could be; feeling drowsy, pain in kidney area, dry cough, dizziness, skin rash, swelling of feet.

Anti-histamines

Treatment for: To relieve allergies

Medications such as: Chlorphenamine (Piriton), Loratadine, Cetirizine. 

Potential Side Effects: Older types of antihistamines, such as chlorphenamine (Piriton) can cause; drowsiness, impaired thinking, dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, urinary retention. 

Newer antihistamines are less likely to cause drowsiness, but may cause headaches, dry mouth, dry nose and feeling sick.

Anti-inflammatory

Treatment for: To reduce swelling

Potential Side Effects: They affect the gastrointestinal tract with long-term use.

Anti-psychotics

Treatment for: Some mental health conditions

Usually reduce feelings of anxiety or aggression, hallucinations or delusional thoughts. 

Medicines include: aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone. 

Potential Side Effects: The side effects of typical antipsychotics may include: shaking, trembling, muscle twitches, muscle spasms. 

Side effects of both typical and atypical antipsychotics may include: drowsiness, weight gain, blurred vision, constipation, lack of sex drive, dry mouth.

Asthma relievers and preventers

Treatment for: To relieve or prevent asthma

Relievers have few side effects, but high doses may cause; a mild shaking of the hands, headaches and muscle cramps. 

Preventers have few side effects, but high doses may cause; fungal infection of the mouth or throat, hoarseness and sore throats.

Diuretics

Treatment for: Excess fluid

Given to expel excess fluid from the body, which may have caused oedema, swelling, breathlessness. 

Potential Side Effects: Diuretics may cause side effects such as: mild tummy upset, dry mouth, rashes, headaches, sudden blood pressure drop, dizziness, confusion.

Laxatives

Treatment for: Constipation

Medications such as: Bulk-forming – fibre. 

Lactulose to make stools softer and easier to pass. Stimulant laxatives, for example, senna, speed up the movement. 

Stool softener laxatives, for example, arachis oil and docusate sodium, increase the fluid content of hard and dry stools. 

Potential Side Effects: The specific side effects depend on the exact medication, but common side effects of most laxatives include: bloating, flatulence, painful abdominal cramps, feeling sick, and dehydration.

Sleeping tablets

Treatment for: Insomnia

Only usually considered when insomnia is severe, or as a temporary measure to help ease short-term insomnia. 

Potential Side Effects: They can cause drowsiness in the morning. 

Long-term treatment is not recommended because they can become less effective over time and some people become dependent upon them.

Steroids and hormones

Treatment for: Hormone therapy and insulin for diabetes

Potential Side Effects: Addiction to these can happen if taken over a long period of time. 

These can cause: sleep disturbances, increased appetite, mood changes, and sickness.