Category: Medication side effects

In Ontario, Canada, an estimated 13 million cartridges of local anesthetic were used by dentists in a single year [1.9.3]. If you've ever felt your heart pound after an injection, you've experienced a common reaction, but do you know why it happens and **why does my heart race with novocaine**?

Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) have a heightened risk of cardiovascular events, and certain medications can exacerbate circulatory issues. Understanding what medications cause poor circulation is crucial for managing your health and recognizing potential side effects.

Studies show that the prevalence of neurocognitive impairment can rise from 22.5% to 47.4% in patients after beginning interferon therapy [1.4.1]. This guide details what the cognitive side effects of interferon are, why they occur, and how they can be managed.

According to a 2020 analysis published in *PLoS Medicine*, long-term oral glucocorticoid use, even at low doses, is associated with an increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, including stroke. This means that for individuals taking the medication, the question of 'Can prednisolone cause stroke?' is a serious consideration for both patients and healthcare providers.

Up to 70% of women experience breast pain (mastalgia) at some point in their lives [1.8.1]. While often benign, it's important to understand the potential causes, including asking: what medications make your breasts hurt and why?

Adverse cutaneous reactions, which can manifest as itchy skin (pruritus), occur in a notable percentage of individuals taking antipsychotic medications, though estimates vary. The question, "Can antipsychotics cause itchy skin?" has a clear answer: yes, they can, with reactions ranging from minor discomfort to serious, and potentially life-threatening, allergic responses.

While dermatological reactions to clozapine are reported to be rare, with some estimates suggesting adverse skin reactions occur in less than 1 in 10,000 patients, adverse cutaneous reactions including itching and rash are documented. Understanding if **does clozapine cause itching?** and the potential severity of these reactions is crucial for anyone taking this medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline are widely prescribed, studies have confirmed that they can inhibit platelet aggregation, potentially increasing the risk of abnormal bleeding. This crucial insight highlights the need for a careful assessment of how **can sertraline affect blood clotting** and what precautions patients should take.

While upper respiratory tract infections are a more commonly cited side effect of Actos (pioglitazone), questions surrounding its impact on urinary health persist. Examining whether Actos can cause a UTI requires looking at the drug's side effect profile and related urinary complications.

While rare, some mood stabilizers and antiepileptic drugs used in mood regulation list hallucinations as a potential adverse effect [1.6.1, 1.10.1]. The prevalence of antipsychotic drug-induced psychotic disorder is reported to be between 1.0% and 8.4% in clinical trials [1.4.4]. So, **can mood stabilizers cause hallucinations**? Yes, though uncommon.