Drugs to eliminate or reduce with the flu

Anti-inflammatories, antidepressants, and kidney pills. These medications can be harmful to your health during the flu. Like aspirin for children.

Drugs to eliminate or reduce with the flu

When you have a fever, you tend to lose fluids, and this alone would be enough to reduce, if not suspend, the use of diuretics or antihypertensives, which increase dehydration, lower blood pressure and, in these circumstances, can compromise kidney function.

Among the medicines to be reduced or suspended, after speaking with your doctor, in case of influence, There are:

  • I non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, the most common of which are ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Although these drugs can relieve pain and feverIn case of influenza, their use must be done with great caution due to the risk of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular complications. When faced with an organism weakened by fever and consequent dehydration, NSAIDs can compromise the functioning of the immune system and put the body in a state of succumb to the viral infection. The safest medicine, and in fact without contraindications, in case of fever, remains paracetamol (acetaminophen), less harmful to the stomach and heart.
  • THEaspirin for childrenIts use during the flu in children and adolescents can cause a rare but serious condition called Reye's syndrome, which causes liver damage, including severe acute liver failure, and brain damage. Even for children and adolescents, it is preferable to use medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, which have no adverse effects on the liver or brain.
  • Corticosteroid drugs. These are medicines that can weaken the immune system, to the point of exposing them to bacterial infections, such as pneumonia, which, not coincidentally, is one of the serious complications of a too-neglected flu. Furthermore, when a fever is present, these drugs increase tiredness and muscle weakness.
  • Asthma medications (Beta agonists). Medications such as salbutamol (Ventolin) and formoterol are often used to open the airways and facilitate breathing: but fever, which can lead to inflammation in these very areas, increases the possibility of tachycardia, tremors, and nervousness.
  • Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor Antidepressants (MAOIs). They are prescribed to increase the Serotonin and dopamine. But during the flu, they can interact with certain medications, such as nasal decongestants containing pseudoephedrine, increasing the risk of a dangerous hypertensive crisis. Or even insomnia, anxiety, and irritability. Antidepressants, due to their delicate function, should be discontinued and reduced only with the consent of the doctor treating the patient for their psychological disorders.
  • Drugs with glifozineThey are very useful for protecting the kidneys, as they inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and glucose, allowing their elimination through the urine. However, these medications cause fluid and mineral loss, so it may be advisable to discontinue them during a flu-like illness characterized by significant dehydration.
  • Non-specific antiviral drugsSome are prescribed specifically to treat the flu (when rest and proper nutrition would be sufficient), but they are not effective against all strains of influenza viruses. And if used inappropriately, they can lead to resistance to these drugs when they are needed for future infections. Furthermore, non-specific antivirals, in the case of influenza, can lead to vomiting e DiarrheaThese are the classic medications to avoid, not the flu, unless specifically advised by your doctor.

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