Medicine - a double edged sword Aleem.M.A., Hakkim.A.M. BMJ 2019;364:l902

British Medical journal   BMJ

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How much medicine is too much?

BMJ 2019; 364 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l902 (Published 28 February 2019)

Cite this as: BMJ 2019;364:l902

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Re: How much medicine is too much?

Medicine -- a double edged sword

Medicines which are not in appropriate dosage in relation to age, sex and body weight are harmful.

Any drug as monotherapy or polytherapy in low or high doses which is used without correct diagnosis of the primary disease and other associated comorbid diseased state may increase morbidity and mortality.

Any drugs which are used as nutritional agents in excessive dosages, such as use of high doses of vitamins A and D, may be harmful.

Missing an appropriate drug at the appropriate time in an evolving disease state may also have an adverse outcome.

Addition of plant based medications and other alternative system based medicines with allopathic drugs is also likely to result in a complicated outcome.

So selection of the correct drug in the correct dosage at the right time for the indicated health condition is very important to avoid adverse outcomes.

Competing interests: No competing interests

01 March 2019

M.A. Aleem

Emeritus Professor of Neurology * Visiting Specialist in Neurology ** Consultant Neurologist ***

A.M.Hakkim

The Tamilnadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University * Dhanalakshami Srinivasan Medical College ** ABC Hospital ***

Chennai 600032* Perambalure 621212** Trichy 620018*** Tamilnadu India

@drmaaleem