By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Conservatives: The Utah Health Exchange is Not a Model
    July 23, 2011
    Medical Malpractice Reform Losing Physician Support
    November 7, 2011
    Hospitals Aim to Apply Direct Payments of Care Delivery to Increase Resources
    August 28, 2012
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: What You Should Know About Drug Interactions
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Specialties > What You Should Know About Drug Interactions
Specialties

What You Should Know About Drug Interactions

Trish Broome
Last updated: June 28, 2012 10:44 am
Trish Broome
Share
6 Min Read
SHARE

If you take at least one prescription drug on a daily basis, you’re not alone. Half of all Americans are prescribed at least one type of medication, and many of these people take several prescription medications at one time. Even more people take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to combat health problems that range from headaches to allergies. Add additional supplements, a variety of food and beverages, and a slew of medical conditions to the mix and you triple your chances of having a negative drug reaction.

If you take at least one prescription drug on a daily basis, you’re not alone. Half of all Americans are prescribed at least one type of medication, and many of these people take several prescription medications at one time. Even more people take over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to combat health problems that range from headaches to allergies. Add additional supplements, a variety of food and beverages, and a slew of medical conditions to the mix and you triple your chances of having a negative drug reaction.

A drug reaction is an interaction between a drug and another substance that prevents the drug from doing what it’s supposed to do. This reaction can decrease the drug’s ability to be absorbed and distributed throughout the body, which, in turn, can lead to painful physical side effects and even psychological suffering.

More Read

getting a veneer
Cost of Veneers in Turkey in 2022
The Role of Ultrasound Guidance in Heart Valve Procedures
Nostalgia and the Local Pharmacy
The Surprising Connection Between the Microbiome and Childhood Development
The Importance of Patient Advocates for Orphan Drugs

There are three main types of drug reactions: drug-food, drug-drug and drug-condition reactions. Each type of reaction comes with a set of rules to follow to avoid extreme reactions. Jennifer Zhu, manager of the retail pharmacy at Northwest Hospital, and Stephanie Hammonds, manager of the retail pharmacy at Sinai Hospital, offer insight into some of the most common types of drug reactions and how patients can avoid them.

Both Zhu and Hammonds agree that some of the most common types of drug-food reactions occur between dairy products and antibiotics. “Many antibiotics interact with dairy products, nutrition shakes, antacids (Tums/Rolaids/Maalox/Mylanta), calcium supplements, iron supplements or multivitamins containing those things,” says Hammonds. “The harm to patients comes when those medications bind to the calcium, iron or zinc in those products, and render the antibiotic useless.”

Two types of beverages that can cause adverse drug reactions are grapefruit juice and alcohol. Zhu says that grapefruit juice causes more of the medication to be absorbed, while mixing alcohol and antidepressants can lead to increased fatigue and dizziness.

Drug-drug reactions occur between two types of drugs. Hammonds reminds us that “vitamins, over-the-counter medication and herbal supplements are all considered drugs. They can and do interact with prescription medications or each other. Just because it’s over-the-counter doesn’t mean you shouldn’t inform your health care provider or your pharmacist that you’re taking it.”

What are some of these common OTC drug reactions? Zhu says that antibiotics and birth control taken together can decrease the effectiveness of the birth control pills; Viagra taken with nitrates (which are commonly used to treat heart issues like angina) can dramatically lower blood pressure; blood thinners taken with aspirin can increase bleeding; and sedatives consumed with antihistamines can lead to increased drowsiness.

Warfarin, a common drug that is used to prevent blood clots, can also cause increased risk of bleeding when taken with OTC meds such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen.

Jennifer Zhu and Stephanie Hammonds

Drug-condition reactions occur between drugs and an existing medical condition. If you have high blood pressure, you should avoid OTC decongestants like pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, ibuprofen and naproxen. “Taking diuretics can increase blood pressure in diabetics, and taking beta blockers can worsen symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),” cautions Zhu.

With so many drug reaction possibilities, you want to make sure that you take safety precautions. Hammonds says that you should always carry an up-to-date list of what medications you take (including OTC, herbal and dietary supplements), and let your pharmacist know what kinds of medical conditions and drug allergies you may have.

Zhu’s advice is to always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what current medications you are taking and will be taking. Make sure you read the patient information handout, check labels for medication warnings and use one pharmacy to refill all of your prescriptions.

How do the pharmacies at Northwest and Sinai ensure the safety of patients? “Safeguards in the computer system are able to check drug interactions,” says Zhu. “In addition to the system, every patient is offered counseling so that they can ask any questions they have regarding their medications.”

“In partnership with the inpatient pharmacy, we also offer medication therapy management,” says Hammonds. “These are comprehensive medication reviews that help people better understand what they’re taking, why they’re taking it and how to take it the right way.”

A good relationship with your pharmacist can ensure your long-term health and peace of mind.

-Trish Smith

 

TAGGED:drug interactionpharma
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

bad oral health habits
Dental healthSpecialties

Ways to Enhance Your Oral Health This Year

January 22, 2021
ObesitySpecialtiesWellness

The Secret Life Of Fat And Hormones: 5 Things You Didn’t Know

September 18, 2019

May is Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month

May 3, 2013
breast cancer testing
DiagnosticsSpecialties

Angelina Jolie’s Decision: Do I Need to Be Tested?

May 21, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?