Protect Yourself Against Drug Interactions

With all the drugs (both prescription and over the counter) people take these days, it can be hard to keep track of what you’re taking and what you shouldn’t be taking. The following tips can help you protect yourself against potentially dangerous drug interactions.

1. Be sure to tell your doctor EVERY medication you are taking. That includes prescription medicine, over the counter medicine, vitamins, herbal remedies, and other supplements.
2. Ask your doctor if your new prescription is safe with all the medications you already take. Don’t just assume that it is! Doctors are humans, and humans make mistakes.
3. Try to fill all your prescriptions at the same pharmacy (or pharmacy chain). This way, the pharmacist will have a list of all your prescription medications at hand when they are filling your new order.
4. Talk to your pharmacist if you have any lingering concerns. Be sure to tell your pharmacist EVERY medication you are taking — including prescription, over the counter, and supplements.
5. Read the insert that comes with your prescription medicine. There is a section marked Drug Interactions that will list common drug conflicts.
6. Call your doctor if you experience any unexpected symptoms. They may be signs of a drug interaction! Rashes, sweats, and even headaches can indicate drug interactions.
7. Check the ingredient lists on your over the counter medications. Be sure you aren’t doubling up on medications. For example, some cold remedies also contain aspirin or other pain and fever relievers. If you take those, you shouldn’t take a pain or fever reliever separately. Be especially careful about doubling up on acetaminophen — an overdose can lead to liver damage.

Another medicine to be careful with is St. John’s Wort — a relatively popular alternative to prescription antidepressants. This herbal remedy is best used completely alone. Why? Because St. John’s Wort boosts the action of a particular liver enzyme that breaks down medications. It may speed up your liver enzymes so much that you don’t end up getting the benefit of your meds at all.