What are drug sensitivities?
Drug sensitivities are conditions which exist due to the natural variation in people's metabolism of drugs. Some people will react to them faster than others, and some people will have a lower threshold to the effects of drugs than others. The effects caused by this lower threshold are known as drug sensitivities.
Other causes of drug sensitivities include having other diseases which can influence drug metabolism, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or taking other drugs. Your doctor can advice you whether certain drugs are safe or not.
Unlike drug allergies, drug sensitivities have nothing to do with the immune system. The centres of drug metabolism are in the liver and kidneys, where various chemical reactions can either activate or deactivate drugs. Activated drugs then go to their target organs, where they carry out their functions.
Signs and symptoms of drug sensitivities vary between different drugs. Broadly speaking, you might experience the side effects of the drugs to a greater degree than expected. Examples of this include experiencing tinnitus (ringing in your ears) after taking aspirin, or a blocked nose and breathing difficulties after taking certain types of painkillers.
If you experience sensitivities to any drugs, speak to your doctor who may be able to advise you about alternate drugs which might not cause as many side effects, or methods of coping with your side effects.
Drug allergies Guide Index:
- Which drugs commonly cause allergic reactions?
- What are drug sensitivities?
- What are some of the signs and symptoms of a drug allergy?
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