Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Carolyn on 18/01/2008 03:31:58
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If your body develops a tolerance to a medication, such as a sleep aid or a pain medication, will that tolerance 'go away' if you stop taking the drug for a while?
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I don't know, I have often wondered that with all the meds I take. One of my meds helps to dialate the arteries going into the heart to aid in blood flow etc.. I noticed it said not to discontinue them as it could lead to a bigger problem a heart attack instead of preventing one!
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If your body develops a tolerance to a medication, such as a sleep aid or a pain medication, will that tolerance 'go away' if you stop taking the drug for a while?
I suspect it depends on how long you have been taking them, and the degree to which it will 'go away'. If you have been taking them continuously for a very long time, then I suspect coming off them will reduce your tolerance, but would probably not bring it back to the level it would have been if you had never taken them (in particular, I would guess the buildup of tolerance once you start taking them again will be much faster than it was the first time around).
It is a little like tolerance to alcohol - it is said that an alcoholic who comes off alcohol never really stops being an alcoholic. He may cease his immediate dependence on alcohol, but as soon as he goes back to alcohol, his body has not forgotten that he is an alcoholic, and his dependence fairly quickly will return.
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I think thats definitely true of sleep aids and such.. nasal sprays have a rebound effect and have that same addictive quality .. It is seen with lots of drugs, penicillan is a big one I have seen with this.. I was once able to take it then one year I took it and got a rash, the next time rash and itchy throat ... the next time wheezing rash and The doctor said NO more Penicillan as I had built up a tolerance to it and had become allergic.. and it did nothing but hurt me at that point.