logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine
woman with back painDrug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - March 13, 2023 - 886 comments

Surprising Gabapentin Side Effects

Doctors are prescribing gabapentin off-label for pain, etc. Watch out! Gabapentin side effects can be serious. Stopping it can be difficult.

tylenol bottles
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - October 17, 2022

Tylenol & Alcohol: Acetaminophen Side Effects!

Can you take Tylenol PM and alcohol together? We got spanked by a company spokesman, but the label is confusing! It says to avoid alcohol!

a bottle of Synthroid 175mcg, people on Synthroid, brand name Synthroid thyroid pills
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - October 10, 2022

Do Walnuts Really Interfere with Synthroid Effectiveness?

The manufacturer warns patients that eating walnuts with their medicine could interfere with Synthroid effectiveness.

Pfizer sign outside of company
COVID-19Joe Graedon - September 1, 2022

Is the Oral Pill Paxlovid an Answer to COVID-19?

What should you know about PAXLOVID, an oral medicine against COVID-19? How hard is it to get an Rx? What about dangerous interactions?

Hand with pen drawing the chemical formula of Amiodarone
Arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm)Joe Graedon - August 28, 2022

Amiodarone Side Effects Can Be Life Threatening

Amiodarone side effects can be lethal. That is why it is imperative that this drug be monitored carefully. Lung toxicity can be irreversible!

Pile of pills and multivitamins
Acid RefluxTerry Graedon - June 23, 2022

Should You Be Taking Vitamin Supplements?

Many medications can interfere with good nutrition. If you are taking pills for certain conditions, perhaps you should be taking vitamin supplements.

A woman struggling with all her medication, with many pill bottles on her kitchen table
COVID-19Joe Graedon - April 21, 2022

Preventing Deadly Drug Interactions Harder Than You Think

Do you swallow more than 2 or 3 pills daily? A study notes that preventing deadly drug interactions is hard, especially during the pandemic!

Beware of biotin in high doses
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - March 21, 2022

Beware of Biotin Interfering With Thyroid Tests

Doctors and patients should beware of biotin supplements messing up thyroid test results. To avoid a false diagnosis, stop the biotin first.

bottle of magnesium pills
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - February 3, 2022

How Much Magnesium Is Enough?

Getting the optimal magnesium dose every day can be tricky since too little is very dangerous but too much can cause unpleasant GI symptoms.

A very frustrated middle-aged woman pulling her hair out
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - January 24, 2022

Multiple BP Meds leads to Lisinopril and Losartan Risks

Getting blood pressure under 130/80 can be challenging. Taking multiple BP meds is one way. It can also increase the risk for interactions!

a cut on a hand
Atrial Fibrillation (A-fib, arrhythmia)Joe Graedon - August 16, 2021

Beware Mixing Xarelto or Eliquis and OTC Pain Relievers

Many people with AFib are taking drugs like Eliquis or Xarelto. Beware Eliquis and OTC pain relievers! Herbs and some teas can also interact.

young woman with pancreatitis or microscopic colitis
InteractionsJoe Graedon - August 9, 2021

Flagyl | Metronidazole and Alcohol = Disaster!

Can you absorb enough alcohol (ethanol) through the skin to pose a problem? A reader describes a metronidazole and alcohol drug interaction.

Woman in distress covering her ears
DepressionJoe Graedon - December 28, 2020

Bad Mix? Diphenhydramine – Benadryl and SSRI Antidepressants

Many people don't worry about mixing OTC meds and prescription drugs. It might be a bad idea to combine Benadryl with SSRI antidepressants.

An older local pharmacist reads a pill bottle
Drug Side EffectsDennis Miller, RPh - September 17, 2020

18 Pharmacists Discuss Their Most Memorable Medication Mistakes

Have you ever gotten the wrong drug from the pharmacy? Here, pharmacists reveal their memorable medication mistakes.

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) in a syringe ready for injection with vials in the background; Vitamin B12 injections
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - August 31, 2020

Can Prilosec Interfere With Vitamin B12 Injections?

Vitamin B12 injections are a common treatment for pernicious anemia. Injections are not affected by acid-suppressing medicines.

a bottle of Synthroid 175mcg, people on Synthroid, brand name Synthroid thyroid pills
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - March 23, 2020

Could Heartburn Medicine Clash With Thyroid Pills?

PPI drugs for acid reflux like Nexium or Prilosec may interfere with absorption of thyroid pills such as Levoxyl or Synthroid.

doctors performing surgery for appendicitis
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - November 4, 2019

Will Potatoes Slow Your Recovery from Surgery?

Eggplants, peppers, potatoes and tomatoes all can block acetylcholinesterase. This might slow recovery from surgery in which muscle relaxants are used.

pomegranate juice and pomegranate seeds
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - October 28, 2019

Could Pomegranate Juice React Badly with Crestor?

You might worry about whether pomegranate juice will react badly with your medication, but it should not create problems with rosuvastatin (Crestor).

PodcastsTerry Graedon - October 17, 2019

Show 1185: What Are the Risks of Too Many Meds?

Lots of Americans, especially senior citizens, are taking too many meds. This can result in undesirable reactions and dangerous interactions. Can we fix it?

woman appears anxious and depressed
AnxietyJoe Graedon - October 10, 2019

Clonazepam Withdrawal | Safe Sedative or Poison?

Benzodiazepines like alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam and lorazepam remain popular to ease anxiety. If stopped too quickly, benzos can cause withdrawal!

green capsule containing vegetables and fruits balanced on fingertip
Alternative HealthJeremy Lee - October 7, 2019

Herbal Medicines and Prescription Drug Interactions

Many popular herbal medicines have prescription drug interactions. Learn about them before including both herbs and drugs in your regimen.

green tea being poured from a teapot
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - September 16, 2019

Does Green Tea Interact with Heart Drugs?

How does green tea interact with nadolol? Green tea compounds can lower blood levels of this heart drug, but does not seem to affect metoprolol.

Male doctor and senior female patient discussing osteoporosis drug options
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - July 18, 2019

Will Boniva Interact with Her Pain Reliever?

Does Boniva interact with other medications? This osteoporosis drug together with an NSAID might increase the possibility of digestive tract problems.

A low-carb mixed leaf salad with smoked salmon, spinach, cucumber and onions; eat to lower cholesterol
BleedingJoe Graedon - July 1, 2019

Reversing the Admonition to Avoid Vitamin K with Warfarin

Patients have been told for decades to avoid vitamin K with warfarin. That means no green leafy veggies. But such foods are good for you. What to do?

a bunch of kale, leafy greens
Blood ClotsJoe Graedon - June 13, 2019

Warfarin and Green Leafy Vegetables Can Be OK

Warfarin was the first prescribed anticoagulant. Now we have Eliquis and Xarelto. They're pricey! Is it safe to combine warfarin and green leafy vegetables?

A large pile of cranberries
Alternative HealthTerry Graedon - May 29, 2019

Cranberry Compounds Help Prevent Antibiotic Resistance

Both in test tubes and in insect models, cranberry compounds keep infectious bacteria from developing resistance to common antibiotics.

marijuana plants
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - April 18, 2019

Medical Marijuana Users May Require More Anesthesia During Surgery

Millions of people use marijuana. Many rely on cannabis for medical reasons such as nerve pain. People taking marijuana may need more anesthesia than usual.

grapefruits
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - April 15, 2019

What Is the Story on Grapefruit Juice and Meds?

The story on grapefruit juice and medicines can be confusing. The interaction is fairly long-lasting, but only certain drugs interact with grapefruit.

Senior Man, arms crossed, looks down at large assortment of prescription pill bottles
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - April 15, 2019

Polypharmacy and Premature Deaths Especially in Older People

How many pills do you take each morning. Anything more than 2 or 3 means you are practicing polypharmacy. Multiple medicines could lead to a deadly mix.

Man grabs at his heart during a heart attack
Drug Side EffectsJoe Graedon - March 11, 2019

Taking Lisinopril | Avoid POTASSIUM but ZINC Could be Necessary

If you are taking lisinopril or another ACE inhibitor do you know which minerals you need and which you should avoid? This is life and death information!

a hospital room with bed and monitor
Drug Side EffectsTerry Graedon - February 20, 2019

Improving Patient Safety by Reducing Alert Fatigue

When a team at St. Jude changed its system for drug interaction warnings, doctors had less alert fatigue and were less likely to override important alerts.

Senior man in pajamas sits on bed unable to sleep
Back PainTerry Graedon - February 7, 2019

What Is the Other Drug Epidemic?

Researchers say there is another drug epidemic in addition to opioids. Doctors are prescribing more benzodiazepines than ever for longer periods of time.