Medications and their toxic effects were the topic of the January online Medical Counseling Session held by SDDH in collaboration with the Zagreb Dystrophy Society (DDZ).

Dr. Davorka Vranješ spoke about what drugs actually are, what side effects and contraindications are, and what harmful effects are, i.e. toxicity and neurotoxicity. She stated that the term “side effect” refers to unwanted, unpleasant or harmful effects of drugs. They are usually divided into mild, moderate, severe and lethal, while symptoms can appear after the first dose or only after long-term use.

The frequency and severity of side effects depend on the characteristics of the patient as well as the factors of the drug. Contraindication, on the other hand, is a condition or set of circumstances due to which the use of a drug, the performance of a surgical procedure or some diagnostic procedures are prohibited because they may worsen the condition. Toxicity is reversible or permanent damage to organs or organ systems by substances introduced into the body, such as drugs, and depends on the amount of drug taken, the health status of the organism, age, genetic characteristics and associated diseases, while neurotoxicity refers to any harmful effect on the nervous system (e.g. paralysis or loss of function) resulting from exposure to potentially toxic substances.

The SDDH medical consultation was held on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, and was attended by a total of 30 people.