Avoiding Over-Medication Through Expert Medical Second Opinions
Get expert medical guidance for your loved ones with a second opinion from U.S. doctors
Introduction:
Around 2 million people who are taking more than seven prescribed medicines are facing adverse effects. These adverse effects can be severe and life-threatening in some cases.. The report “More Harm Than Good” suggests that prescribing more medicines won’t be the solution, particularly for older individuals. Evidence suggests that some medicines are prescribed excessively. Seeking an expert medical second opinion helps to evaluate whether the specific medicine is essential or not.
What is overmedication?
Being overmedicated is to be given too much medication or to take more medication than necessary or appropriate, potentially leading to adverse side effects or complications. Elderly patients are taking medications for conditions such as clinical depression, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, diabetes, hypertension, etc. The side effects of over-medication include fainting, weakness, drowsiness, nausea, anxiety, vomiting, etc.
Risks associated with over-medication
Intake of certain medications can result in drug interactions that can hamper health. Some medicines are also associated with irritability and mood fluctuations. Antibiotics like tetracyclines, beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, etc, can cause kidney failure by damaging filtering units.
Studies reveal that proton-pump inhibitors are associated with liver disorders, kidney failure, dementia, etc. High intake of proton-pump inhibitors causes an increased risk of Clostridium difficile infections.
Role of medical second opinion in preventing over-medication:
A second opinion plays an important role in confirming the diagnosis and planning the treatment strategy. It is important to seek a second opinion in the case of a rare disease or life-threatening illness. By getting a second opinion, it is possible to explore minimally invasive treatment approaches
A second opinion plays an important role in preventing unnecessary medicines. Doctors diagnose a condition based on their experience and knowledge. With a second opinion, it is possible to confirm the diagnosis and analyze the necessity of medicines. For example, a change in the diagnosis could potentially eliminate the need for medicines or alter the dosage.
A different treatment can be suggested, emphasizing conservative management. Lifestyle changes, dietary changes, physical exercises, etc., can also be suggested instead . The role of a conservative approach is crucial, as it reduces the tendency to depend on medicines.
Motivating patients for better health:
It is essential to motivate the patients and involve them in the treatment plan. Active patient participation in planning their treatment strategies can help improve the prognosis. It also clarifies each step in the planned treatment strategy. A second opinion helps you make an informed decision about treatment strategies.
Alternative approaches, focusing on diet, environment, lifestyle, etc., can help in managing the clinical symptoms. A healthy diet, which includes fresh fruits and vegetables, can help manage the symptoms and keep you healthy. For example, urinary tract infections occur in both men and women. Doctors prescribe antibiotics and analgesics along with proton pump inhibitors for treating this condition . Taking these medicines can help relieve symptoms. But there is a possibility of recurrence, as antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria that help maintain normal pH. In this case, it is important to adopt dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. Use of probiotics, cranberry juice, etc., can help prevent UTIs naturally. Hence, through a second medical opinion, it is possible to explore conservative approaches apart from medications.
How to seek a second opinion?
If you feel that the current medicines are not improving your symptoms, or you are experiencing adverse effects, it is better to take a second opinion from a specialist. Firstly, choose a doctor with relevant expertise. It is also important to verify the credibility of the doctor. Share the complete medical history with your doctor, including lab reports and imaging tests. After assessing the health status, the doctor might reduce the dosage or suggest alternative approaches to manage the condition.
You can also ask questions regarding your treatment plan or prescribed medications. You can tell the doctor about the symptoms that you are facing. The doctor will be able to identify which drug is causing the side effect. According to clinical findings, the dosage of the drug causing particular symptoms can be reduced. If the drug is not necessary, the treatment plan can be revised in a better way. If needed, additional tests can be conducted to modify the treatment plan.
Remote second opinion:
Elderly patients who are tired of taking prescribed medications may not feel like going out for appointments. Patients who are taking more than 6 medicines a day may feel exhausted. In such cases, it is easy to book an online consultation with a specialist.
It is possible to share the relevant documents with the doctor and get medical advice online.
There is no need to wait for a long time to consult the expert. With telemedicine, you can get access to top specialists from the comfort of your home.
The future of second opinions:
The second opinion plays an important role in transforming healthcare. With advancements in medicine, chronic conditions can be treated with minimally invasive procedures. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help in assessing patient data and exploring alternative treatment plans.
The adverse effects of some drugs can be severe and affect quality of life. By getting a second opinion from experts, it is easy to confirm which drug is causing the side effects.
It is important to assess whether the medicine you are taking aligns with your treatment goals. For instance, if a patient is taking medicine for hypertension and diabetes, regular monitoring helps understand whether the dosage should be adjusted.
Conclusion:
Over-medication can cause organ damage, drug interactions, dizziness, etc., that can impact the quality of life. Seeking a second medical opinion can assist in determining the necessity of a specific drug or the possibility of reducing its dosage. Incorporating lifestyle changes and good dietary habits can maintain immunity and prevent diseases to some extent.
With the latest technologies, it is easy to obtain a second opinion from the comfort of your home. Trusted platforms like My American Doctor connect patients with top specialists and get their medical advice without the need to travel. These services give people more faith in their treatment options, which makes sure they get the safest and most effective care. Utilizing second opinions from top specialists allows patients to make smarter decisions regarding their healthcare.
At My American Doctor, we put international patients in touch with the top U.S. doctors so that they can get skilled medical advice. You or your loved one can get the best possible care through our platform, which gives you safe and easy access to top medical professionals. Don’t leave your loved one’s health to uncertainty—seek a second opinion today.
References:
- Age UK. (2019, August 13). Age UK calls for a more considered approach to prescribing medicines for older people. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.ageuk.org.uk/latest-press/articles/2019/august/age-uk-calls-for-a-more-considered-approach-to-prescribing-medicines-for-older-people/?
- Verywell Health. (2023, October 10). Top drugs that cause kidney damage. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.verywellhealth.com/top-drugs-that-cause-kidney-damage-11697766?
- Sustainable Healthcare Networks. Reducing PPI doses: A SusQI case study report [Internet]. [Date unknown] [cited 2025 Mar 31]. Available from: https://networks.sustainablehealthcare.org