Yesterday, my cousin and I were discussing the side effects of abruptly stopping her medications for the dysmenorrhea that she had been struggling with for years. Someone had told her that in allopathy, all gynecologists simply prescribe hormonal pills for every condition, and believing that, she decided to stop her treatment midway.
While such assumptions are common, they can be dangerous. Feeling better halfway through a treatment and deciding to stop taking our medicines. But abruptly stopping medication or failing to complete the prescribed duration can have serious consequences, sometimes worse than the original illness.
Premature stopping of antibiotics permits surviving bacteria to adjust and form antibiotic-resistant strains. These “superbugs” have the capacity to make future infections increasingly difficult to treat and could even transmit resistance within communities. Patients who do not finish the course usually experience relapse, when the infection comes back stronger and more resistant.
Corticosteroids such as prednisone lower inflammation but also inhibit the body’s own production of cortisol. Sudden withdrawal can lead to adrenal insufficiency, symptoms are weakness, dizziness, nausea, and critically low blood pressure. Steroids have to be tapered gradually under medical guidance to enable adrenal glands to rebound.
For women on HRT, abrupt discontinuation of estrogen or progesterone therapy can produce withdrawal symptoms that are similar to those experienced during the menopause. These can be hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, fatigue, and a re-emergence of menopausal symptoms that had been well controlled. In a few instances, it can also have an adverse effect on bone density and cardiovascular status. A gradual tapering has to be done to allow the body to adjust its hormone balance.
Antidepressants, antipsychotics, and mood stabilizers change brain chemistry with the passage of time. Withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts in extreme cases result when they are discontinued suddenly. Psychotropic drugs should always be tapered slowly with psychiatric supervision.
Sudden cessation of blood pressure or heart medications can produce a rebound effect, an abrupt increase in blood pressure or heart rate that may precipitate stroke or heart attack. Even if you are symptom-free, your cardiovascular system depends on the continuity of these medications to stay stable.
Conclusion
Every prescription has a purpose and a timeline. Completing the full course ensures that your body heals properly and reduces the risk of complications or relapses. Whether it’s antibiotics, steroids, HRT, or antidepressants, always consult your doctor before changing or stopping a medication.
Remember: Feeling better doesn’t mean you’re cured. Stopping your medication early can silence symptoms, but it doesn’t eliminate the disease, it only gives it a chance to come back stronger.
MBH/PS
