Risk Of Avoiding Medications

Dr. Irwin Lim
Rheumatologist

All drugs have possible side effects. But that’s the key word ‘possible.’ It doesn’t mean that every patient will get the side effects that they read about. A lot of patients focus on side effects but I try to get them to focus on what the disease will actually do to them as well if they’re not on effective medications. That tends to be what’s forgotten so it’s a complete balance. What’s the benefit, what do you actually prevent with the medication, what are the risks you’re going to take, what are the possible side effects here. And obviously we will only use a medication when we feel that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Assoc. Professor Peter Youssef
Rheumatologist

There is no doubt that the risk of treatment is outweighed greatly by the benefit and that without treatment many patients will develop joint damage, will have ongoing pain and stiffness in their joints, may eventually stop working and many will have a reduced life expectancy.