Is it dangerous to take high doses even if nothing is felt?

[intjk7]

I've been bouncing around various medications and nothing seems to get the job done. I thought perhaps all the standard dosages are just not enough, so I took a good bit of medication today.

So my question is, is it harmful to take a large dose of medication--one that is beyond what is usually prescribed--even if no beneficial nor harmful effects are felt? What about if only beneficial effects are felt?

I intentionally left this question general, but let me know if you'd like specifics for my situation.

[trishcan]

Yes. It is absolutely dangerous to take medication at a dose that exceeds what has been prescribed.

[intjk7]

Let me rephrase the question: If one does not feel any effects at X dosage, does that mean X dosage has no effect? Put another way, can X dosage cause/be causing harm even if I don't feel anything?

I suppose the way in which I originally asked the question had an obvious answer, however I do appreciate your response!

[trishcan]

Generally, you don't "feel" effects of medication at therapeutic doses. You experience results. If you're speaking to the former, that definitely doesn't mean the dosage has no effect. If you're speaking to the latter, that still doesn't warrant a self-invited dosage increase. It does, perhaps, warrant speaking to your doctor about whether it is possible to prescribe a higher dose.

But under no circumstances does it necessarily mean that a higher dose where no effects are observed isn't harmful nor does it ever mean that you should adjust the dose of your medications without your doctor's explicit approval.

[sarahsweets]

generally higher doses increase the side effects but higher dosages that go beyond the maximun recommended amount, and beyond your doctors prescribed dose are never ok.