Do you know exactly what chemical composition of the medications you take? If the answer is no, you are not alone.
In remedies, in addition to the active ingredients that are used to fight pain, infections or changes, there are also the so-called inactive ingredients .
These substances play different roles in the medication: some are there to give flavor, others to keep it preserved or facilitate absorption.
But can these substances cause an opposite effect on the organism?
A new study suggests so.
The study
According to research published in the medical journal Science Translational Medicine , 90% of the most used drugs in the United States contain at least one inactive ingredient, which can cause another reaction.
The most common are allergies and gastrointestinal problems, especially if the patient is sensitive to the substance. This is because the compositions may have substances that are commonly allergenic, such as peanut oil, gluten and dyes.
The study looked at a total of 42,052 drugs used orally, and about 354,600 inactive ingredients were found.
Of that number, 38 substances are capable of causing an allergic reaction as soon as they are consumed. The number appears to be small, but that is where he can deceive.
Considering all medications, 93% of them had at least one of these ingredients.
In all, 45% of the drugs had lactose, 33% food coloring, and less than 1% peanut oil.
Allergic people should be on the alert
According to one of the study’s authors, inactive ingredients can cause an allergic reaction, causing hives, difficulty breathing and even gastrointestinal problems.
But the risks of these complementary ingredients are still unclear, as the amount present in the remedy is generally very low.
However, in cases where the patient has a severe intolerance, whose sensitivity is high, care must be taken with the medicine.
So, it is always necessary to inform the doctor about allergies, intolerance and sensitivities. In addition, patients who already have a history of allergic reactions should be aware of the label.
Read more: Allergy Guide: types (skin, respiratory, food), symptoms and remedies
Although substances added to medicines are often necessary (for example, to conserve), it is necessary to pay attention to the composition.
Therefore, before taking any medicine, read the package leaflet and talk to your doctor.
