Common over the counter medicines and their side effects

We’ve all done it at some point—reached for a painkiller without thinking twice, popped an antibiotic left over from last year’s cold, or Googled symptoms and taken whatever seemed to work for someone else. It feels quick, convenient, and hey, why bother the doctor for something that seems “minor,” right?

But here’s the thing—self-medication is a risky business, and sometimes, the side effects are way worse than the original problem. What starts off as a simple headache or a tummy ache can turn into something much more serious if you're treating it blindly.

No matter how many articles you read or symptoms you check off, you don’t have the training to diagnose yourself accurately. Many illnesses share similar symptoms—what feels like acidity could actually be a heart problem, or what you think is a migraine might be high blood pressure.

When you self-medicate, you risk masking symptoms, not treating the actual cause. That means the real problem continues to get worse while you think you’re “managing” it.

Even over-the-counter medicines come with instructions for a reason. Take too little, and you’re not treating the condition properly. Take too much, and you might end up with side effects or even an overdose. For example you had a bad toothache and took three ibuprofen tablets in one go thinking it would act faster. Not only will the pain persist, but you will end up with stomach ulcers and acid reflux because of overuse. Painkillers, antacids, cold medicines—even herbal supplements—can be harmful if not taken in the right amounts or at the right time. Your body is not a chemistry lab. You can’t just mix things up and hope for the best.


Let's discuss antibiotic resistance, a global concern right now

This one’s serious. Taking antibiotics without a prescription—or not completing the full course—is one of the major reasons why antibiotic resistance is spreading like wildfire.

What does that mean? Basically, bacteria in your body become smarter. They learn to survive even the strongest antibiotics. So, the next time you really need one, it might not work. Suppose you had a mild throat infection and took leftover antibiotics from someone else's prescription in your house. The symptoms went away temporarily but came back worse. When you finally see a doctor, the infection won't respond to common antibiotics anymore. This isn’t just about one person—it’s a global health crisis. And self-medicating with antibiotics is making it worse every day.

Every medicine has side effects. Even that simple paracetamol you pop for fever can harm your liver if you take it too often. When you self-medicate, you're often unaware of these risks.

Some medicines also interact badly with others. You may be taking something for acidity, not realizing it can interfere with your thyroid medication or BP pills.

Doctors don’t just prescribe drugs—they calculate doses, consider your history, and check for interactions. It’s not guesswork.

Common medicines that seem harmless, but can have serious side effects
Paracetamol (Crocin, Calpol, etc.)
Uses: Fever, mild pain
Common Side Effects: Usually safe, but in high doses, it can damage the liver.
Watch out for: Combining it with alcohol or taking too many doses in a day.

Ibuprofen (Brufen, Ibugesic)
Uses: Pain, inflammation, body aches
Common Side Effects: Acidity, stomach ulcers, kidney strain
Watch out for: Taking it on an empty stomach or regularly for chronic pain without medical advice.

Antacids (Gelusil, Digene)
Uses: Acidity, heartburn
Common Side Effects: Constipation (if aluminum-based), diarrhea (if magnesium-based), bloating
Watch out for: Regular use can mask serious stomach issues like ulcers or GERD.

Cough Syrups (Benadryl, Corex substitutes)
Uses: Cough, cold
Common Side Effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth
Watch out for: Many cough syrups contain codeine or antihistamines—can cause dependency if overused.

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Antihistamines (Cetirizine, Allegra)
Uses: Allergies, sneezing, runny nose
Common Side Effects: Drowsiness, dry mouth, slowed reaction time
Watch out for: Driving or working after taking them, especially first-gen antihistamines like chlorpheniramine.

Loperamide (Imodium)
Uses: Diarrhea
Common Side Effects: Constipation, bloating, abdominal cramps
Watch out for: Taking it without understanding the cause of diarrhea—can worsen infections.

So, what should you do instead?
Let’s not be dramatic—you don’t need to run to the doctor for every sneeze or scratch. But when something feels off and lasts more than a couple of days, or if it keeps coming back—don’t play doctor.

Here’s what you can do:

• Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before taking anything new.
• Finish full courses of any medication you’re prescribed (especially antibiotics).
• Don’t use old prescriptions for new problems.
• Avoid taking medicine “just because it worked for someone else.”
• Read the label—check for expiry dates, dosage, and warnings.

And when in doubt, get checked. Your body is way too precious to risk for the sake of convenience.