You Should Know About Common Drug Interactions

Many people, including children and most especially the elderly, are taking more than one drug or supplement on a daily basis. Healthy individuals sometimes take different over-the-counter diet supplements, herbal products, energy drinks containing various chemicals, birth control pills, pain medications as needed, topical creams and ointments, and others. Patients with chronic conditions often receive prescriptions for various drugs, including supplements to boost health, and more. Most of us are not aware that we are perhaps, using more than one chemically active substance that may react with other substances, including food and drinks, that may be harmful to our health. Although some reactions are not harmful, some substances may reduce or cancel the effect of another, which may or may not be a disadvantage.

Most doctors warn us about the side effects of drugs and how they may interact with each other. However, some of us do not inform our doctors about every over-the-counter (OTC) medication or supplement we are taking, which may interact with prescription drugs. Most of us also presume that OTC medications are probably safe, since one does not need a prescription to buy them. And when unexpected symptoms take place and we consult the doctor, we sometimes omit information, such as that of taking self-prescribed medications.

It is common for patients with chronic disease to receive prescriptions for more than one drug at a time. Studies show that the rate of adverse drug reactions increase exponentially when patients take at least four medications daily. It has also been shown that adverse drug reactions are the fourth leading cause of deaths in the US, with more people dying from these compared to AIDS, diabetes or automob...

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...g inappropriate medications and suffering from dangerous side effects in doing so. Caution is likewise advised, especially for elderly patients, pregnant or lactating women, and patients with chronic conditions, in taking medications without proper medical consultation.

Works Cited

Oregon State University. "One in five older Americans take medications that work against each other." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/03/140313154220.htm;

FDA. Drug Interactions: What You Should Know. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm163354.htm;

AAFP. Clinically Significant Drug Interactions. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0315/p1745.html;

FDA. Preventable Adverse Drug Reactions: A Focus on Drug Interactions. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DevelopmentApprovalProcess/DevelopmentResources/DrugInteractionsLabeling/ucm110632.htm