In this article, we learn about the possible adverse effects of medications on singing and how to mitigate them.
When you go to your doctor, you expect to be given something that helps you feel better. Something that fixes your ailment, that gets you back to normal. Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be vital for treating a variety of common conditions. But what if the medication makes you have new symptoms—symptoms that make singing or performing more difficult?
With every medication and supplement selection, it is important to talk with a doctor or pharmacist to ensure it is indicated for the condition you have, that it will be effective for treating your symptoms, and that there are no safety concerns that could impact your performance. Medications sometimes have negative consequences, called adverse reactions, that can be troublesome. Every once in a while, though, treatments can have an ergolytic effect—directly hindering your ability to perform. These effects can range from physical to psychological and may stem from prescription medications, OTC medications, or even dietary supplements that are normally considered “safe.”
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For example, diphenhydramine, an OTC medication commonly used for allergies, may cause hoarseness, dry vocal folds, or drowsiness. Alternative antihistamines may be used to minimize the drowsiness, though most may cause throat irritation given the way they work in the body. A few alternatives to long-term antihistamine use include avoiding triggers, wearing a mask, and/or using antihistamines only for the shortest time frame needed for symptom recovery.
Additionally, a common class of prescription medications used to treat high blood pressure, including lisinopril and enalapril, may cause a dry chronic cough in 4%–20% of those who take it. This could result in hoarseness or vocal tissue damage if not addressed.
Most of the time, the benefits to curing your symptoms outweigh the risks of experiencing adverse reactions—though singers must be aware of the impact of medications and dietary supplements since adverse reactions can impact performance and can take you off stage.
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Know before you go! Make no mistake—taking medications can be a necessary part of life to optimize our long-term health and well-being. Even those that may affect your performance can often be safely used. Prior to taking a medication or dietary supplement, ask your doctor or pharmacist the following:
- Is this the right product for the symptoms I am experiencing?
- What adverse reactions might I experience, and will they affect my performance?
- What should I do if I notice any adverse reactions, and how long will they last?
- Would any adverse reactions be severe enough to keep me from performing?
This knowledge will empower you to make decisions about your care that will help you avoid potentially career-altering, even career-ending, medication effects.
