Drug injection side effects
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Drug Injection Side Effects: A Comprehensive Overview
Local Reactions and Hypersensitivity in Subcutaneous Injections
Subcutaneous injections, particularly those involving monoclonal antibodies and insulin, are increasingly used in managing chronic diseases. However, they often cause local reactions at the injection site, such as redness, swelling, and pain. Prolonged use can lead to hypersensitivity reactions, necessitating desensitization protocols for drugs like tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors (etanercept and adalimumab), insulin, and omalizumab.
Loss of Libido in Opioid Injectors
Regular opioid injection is associated with several side effects, including a significant loss of libido, which negatively impacts quality of life. A community-based survey in France found that 43% of opioid injectors reported a loss of libido. Factors such as the type of opioid (morphine sulfate, methadone, heroin) and concurrent benzodiazepine use were strongly associated with this side effect.
Central Nervous System Effects from Intracerebral Injections
Intracerebral drug injections in conscious mice have shown various central nervous system effects, which are consistent with observations in other animals and humans. These effects include changes in tail positioning, stupor, hyperexcitability, and tachypnoea. Specific drugs like acetylcholine and methacholine can cause akinetic seizures and depression, while others like atropine and hexamethonium lead to convulsions and muscle tremors.
Cutaneous Complications in Intravenous Drug Users
Intravenous drug use can lead to a wide range of skin complications, from minor irritations to severe infections. Common issues include acute or delayed local reactions, hypersensitivity, and cutaneous manifestations of systemic infections. In some cases, the injection of crushed buprenorphine tablets has led to severe skin complications.
Ocular Side Effects from Intravitreal Injections
Intravitreal injections, particularly for treating retinoblastoma, can cause significant ocular side effects. A systematic review found that 17% of patients experienced side effects, including iris atrophy, chorioretinal atrophy, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment. These risks can be mitigated by careful dosing and injection techniques.
Side Effects of Intrathecal Morphine in Knee Arthroplasty
Intrathecal morphine, used for pain management in total knee arthroplasty, is effective but comes with side effects like nausea, vomiting, and respiratory depression. A study comparing different dosages found that lower doses (0.1 mg) combined with periarticular injections provided similar pain relief with fewer side effects compared to higher doses (0.2 mg).
Broad Health Impacts of Injection Drug Use
Injection drug use is linked to numerous adverse health outcomes, including overdoses, psychiatric disorders, and infectious diseases. The dynamic nature of injection drug use necessitates ongoing research to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.
Corticosteroid Injections for TMJ Inflammation
Intra-articular and intraperitoneal corticosteroid injections are used to treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammation. While effective, these treatments can cause complications such as condylar resorption. There is a need for further research to find alternative anti-inflammatory drugs with fewer side effects.
Risks of Anti-VEGF Intravitreal Injections
Long-term use of anti-VEGF drugs for eye conditions can lead to side effects like increased intraocular pressure and silicone oil vesicles in the vitreous cavity. These risks can be minimized through improvements in drug processing, storage, and syringe design.
Conclusion
Drug injections, whether subcutaneous, intravenous, intracerebral, or intravitreal, come with a range of side effects that can impact patient quality of life and treatment outcomes. Understanding these side effects and implementing strategies to mitigate them is crucial for optimizing therapeutic efficacy and patient safety.
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