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How to avoid harmful drug interactions
Make sure your doctor knows about every drug you are taking, including drugs you obtain without a prescription order. If you have any problems related to medication, call your physician or pharmacist immediately. One drug may interact with another, in some cases creating serious medical problems. This information does not cover the interaction of one medicine with another. Additionally, interactions will vary according to the dosage, your age, sex and your overall health.
GENERAL RULES:
- It is a good rule of thumb to avoid consuming alcohol while taking any drug unless a physician or pharmacist indicates that the combination is acceptable.
- Cigarettes can also diminish the effectiveness of medication or create added hazards with certain medications.
- Caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, soft drinks and chocolate and some medications, can also affect the action of some drugs.
- Medication should never be taken during pregnancy without the advice of your physician.
ALLERGIES, ASTHMA, COLDS AND COUGHS
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of colds and hay fever and other types of allergy.
Some commonly used antihistamines:
brompheniramine/Dimetane
Bromphen
chlorpheniramine/Chlor-Trimeton
Teldrin
diphenhydramine/Benadryl
Benaphen
INTERACTION - Avoid taking with alcoholic beverages because antihistamines combined with alcohol may cause drowsiness and slowed reactions.
Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators are used to treat the symptoms of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These medicines relieve wheezing, shortness of breath and troubled breathing. They work by opening the air passages of the lungs.
Some commonly used bronchodilators:
aminophylline/Phyllocontin
Somophyllin
theophylline/Slo-Phyllin
Theo-Dur
INTERACTION - Avoid eating or drinking large amounts of foods or beverages which contain caffeine because both bronchodilators and caffeine stimulate the central nervous system.
ARTHRITIS AND GOUT
Aspirin reduces pain, fever and inflammation. Aspirin is available in many brands.
INTERACTION - Because aspirin can cause stomach irritation, avoid alcohol. To avoid stomach upset, take with food. Do not take with fruit juice.
Corticosteroids
Cortisone-like drugs are used to provide relief to inflamed areas of the body. They lessen swelling, redness, itching and allergic reactions.
Some commonly used steroids:
betamethasone
dexamethasone
hydrocortisone
methylprednisolone
prednisone
triamcinolone
INTERACTION - Avoid alcohol because both alcohol and corticosteroids can cause stomach irritation. Also avoid foods high in sodium (salt). Check labels on food packages for sodium. Take with food to prevent stomach upset.
Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory agents
Ibuprofen relieves pain and reduces inflammation and fever.
Some commonly used anti-inflammatory agents:
ibuprofen/Advil
Haltran
Medipren
Motrin
Nuprin
naxproxen/Naprosyn
INTERACTION - These drugs should be taken with food or milk because they can irritate the stomach. Avoid taking the medication with those foods or alcoholic beverages which tend to bother your stomach.
Indomethacin
This medication is used to treat the painful symptoms of certain types of arthritis and gout by reducing inflammation, swelling, stiffness, joint pain and fever.
A commonly used brand name: Indocin
INTERACTION - This drug should be taken with food because it can irritate the stomach. Avoid taking the medication with the kinds of foods or alcoholic beverages which tend to irritate your stomach.
Piroxicam
This medication is used to treat pain, inflammation, redness, swelling and stiffness caused by certain types of arthritis.
A commonly used brand name: Feldene
INTERACTION - This medication should be taken with a light snack because it can cause stomach irritation. Avoid alcohol because it can add to the possibility of stomach upset.
HEART AND CIRCULATORY DISEASES
Diuretics
Diuretics increase the elimination of water, sodium and chloride from the body.
Some commonly used diuretics:
furosemide/Lasix
triamterene/Dyrenium
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)/Esidrix
Hydrodiuril
INTERACTION - Diuretics vary in their interactions with nutrients. Loss of potassium, calcium, and magnesium occurs with some diuretics. Your doctor may prescribe a potassium supplement. With some diuretics, potassium loss is less significant. Consult with your doctor or pharmacist.
Vasodilators
Vasodilators are used to relax veins and/or arteries to reduce work of the heart.
Some commonly used vasodilators:
nitroglycerine/Nitrogard
Nitrostat
INTERACTION - Use of sodium (salt) should be restricted for medication to be effective. Check labels on food packages for sodium.
Anti-Hypertensives
Anti-hypertensives relax blood vessels, increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart and lessen its work load. They also regulate heart beat.
Some commonly used anti-hypertensives:
atenolol/Tenormin
captopril/Capoten
hydralazine/Apresoline
methyldopa/Aldomet
metoprolol/Lopressor
INTERACTION - Use of sodium (salt) should be restricted for medication to be effective. Check labels on food packages for sodium.
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are used to reduce clotting of the blood.
Some commonly used anticoagulant:
warfarin/Coumadin
Panwarfin
INTERACTION - Moderation in consumption of foods high in vitamin K is recommended because vitamin K produces blood-clotting substances. Such foods include spinach, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, vegetable oil and egg yolk.
INFECTIONS
Erythromycin
Erythromycin is an antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of infections, including those of the throat, ears and skin.
Some commonly used erythromycin products:
erythromycin/E-Mycin
erythromycin estolate/Ilosone
erythromycin ethyl succinate/E.E.S.
E-Mycin E
INTERACTION - Erythromycins vary in their reactions with food; consult your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.
Methenamine
Methenamine is used to treat urinary tract infections.
Some commonly used brand names:
Mandelamine
Urex
INTERACTION - Cranberries, plums, prunes and their juices help the action of this drug. Avoid citrus fruits and citrus juices.
Metronidazole
This agent is an anti-infective which is used to treat intestinal and genital infections due to bacteria and parasites.
Commonly used brand name: Flagyl
INTERACTION - Do not take alcohol while using this drug, because it may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, headache, flushing or redness of the face.
Penicillins
Penicillins are antibiotics used for treatment of a wide variety of infections.
Some commonly used penicillins:
amoxicillin
ampicillin
bacampicillin
penicillin G
penicillin V
INTERACTION - Amoxicillin and bacampicillin may be taken with food; however, absorption of other types of penicillins is reduced when taken with food.
Sulfa Drugs
Sulfa drugs are anti-infectives which are used to treat stomach and urinary infections.
Some commonly used sulfa drugs:
co-trimoxazole/Bactrim
Septa
sulfisoxazole/Gantrisin
INTERACTION - Avoid alcohol, as the combination may cause nausea.
Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are antibiotics that are used to treat a wide variety of infections.
Some commonly used brand names:
tetracycline hydrochloride/Achromycin
Sumycin
Panmycin
INTERACTION - These drugs should not be taken within two hours of eating dairy products such as milk, yogurt or cheese, or taking calcium or iron supplements.
PAIN
Aspirin
Aspirin-Aspirin reduces pain, fever and inflammation. Aspirin is available in many brands.
INTERACTION - Because aspirin can cause stomach irritation, avoid alcohol. To avoid stomach upset, take with food. Do not take with fruit juice.
Codeine
Codeine is a narcotic that is contained in many cough and pain relief medicines. Codeine suppresses coughs and relieves pain, and is often combined with aspirin or acetaminophen in medications.
Some commonly used brand names:
Aspirin with Codeine
Tylenol with Codeine
INTERACTION - Do not drink alcohol with this medication because it could increase sedative effect of medication. Take with meals, small snacks or milk because this medication may cause stomach upset.
Other Narcotic Analgesics
Narcotics are used for the relief of pain.
Some commonly used narcotic analgesics:
meperidine
morphine
oxycodone
pentazocine
propoxyphene
INTERACTION - Do not drink alcohol because it increases sedative effect of the medications. Take these medications with food, because they can upset the stomach.
Ibuprofen and Other Anti-Inflammatory Agents
Ibuprofen relieve pain and reduces inflammation and fever.
Some commonly used anti-inflammatory agents:
ibuprofen/Advil
Haltran
Medipren
Motrin
Nuprin
naxproxen/Naprosyn
INTERACTION - These drugs should be taken with food or milk because they can irritate the stomach. Avoid taking the medication with those foods or alcoholic beverages which tend to bother your stomach.
Source: RefillPill.com Editors' Choice
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