Drug Interactions
When it comes to preventing unwanted interactions between drugs, forewarned is definitely forearmed - Jessica Wapner
image by: Magdy Alhapshy Pharmacist
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New Software and Genetic Analyses Aim to Reduce Problems with Multiple-Drug Combinations
The need to take multiple drugs poses a special risk that too often goes unrecognized by doctors and patients: certain combinations of medicines (prescription or otherwise) cause side effects that do not arise when the individual substances are taken alone. Studies published over the past two decades suggest that such “drug interactions” cause more than 30 percent of side effects from medications. Unfortunately, pharmaceutical manufacturers cannot always predict when a new agent will mix badly with other medicines—not to mention supplements or foods—and so unexpected deaths are sometimes the first sign of danger.
Not all side effects are lethal, but the widespread danger from drug…
Resources
Deadly Drug Interactions in the ED
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of such situations...
Watch: Eat, drink, but be wary — 4 foods that interact with medications
Grapefruit, kale — foods like these have health benefits. But if paired with certain medications, the good stuff we eat can spike our blood pressure, dull our motor skills, cause an overdose, or worse.
Grapefruit Is a Culprit in More Drug Reactions
Even if such incidents are rare, Dr. Bailey argued, they are predictable and entirely avoidable. Many hospitals no longer serve juice, and some prescriptions carry stickers warning patients to avoid grapefruit.
How Your Supplements Interact With Prescription Drugs
St. John’s Wort, lavender, garlic and others can alter drug potency, cause side effects.
Your Medications and Your Breakfast Could Be a Deadly Combination
Don’t think about drinking these juices if you take certain medications. If you do, it could lead to deadly consequences. Those specific juices could increase your medication to toxic levels.
New Software and Genetic Analyses Aim to Reduce Problems with Multiple-Drug Combinations
Not all side effects are lethal, but the widespread danger from drug interactions is prompting new efforts to prevent people from taking risky combinations.
MyRxProfile
Adverse drug interactions are the 4th leading cause of death in America. Stay informed and safe with MyRxProfile.
RxISK
RxISK is a free, independent drug safety website to help you weigh the benefits of any medication against its potential dangers.
DrugCocktails.ca
DrugCocktails.ca was created for youth to help them “get the facts” about the effects and risks of mixing medications they take with substances like cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and other street drugs.
HEP Drug Interactions
We provide a clinically useful, reliable, comprehensive, up-to-date, evidence-based drug-drug interaction resource, freely available to healthcare workers, patients and researchers.
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