The People's Perspective on Medicine
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.
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?
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!
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Do Antibiotics Interact with Oral Contraceptives?
An unplanned pregnancy is life-changing. Why aren't women warned that antibiotics may interact with oral contraceptives? When 1+1=0 and 3!
Will Pain Reliever Interact with Anticoagulant?
Might your pain reliever interact with your other medicines? It is smart to find out before you take it. The gel form seems less likely to cause trouble.
Taking Synthroid in the Middle of the Night
One reader takes thyroid medicine in the middle of the night. That avoids any problem of potential interactions with coffee or breakfast foods.
Cough Remedy Plus Antidepressant Spark Scary Serotonin Syndrome!
Drug interactions are more common than most people realize. Even something as seemingly safe as an OTC cough medicine can trigger scary serotonin syndrome.
Why the Holidays Hold Hidden Medication Risks!
Drug and alcohol interactions could turn you into a mean and nasty person. Some drugs can also boost blood alcohol levels. Could that lead to a DWI arrest?
Is it Risky to Take Atorvastatin with Grapefruit Juice?
Millions of people take statins daily. Are there dangerous food and drug interactions? What about simvastatin or atorvastatin with grapefruit juice?
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.
Should You Worry About Pomegranate Juice Interactions?
Pomegranates contain compounds that affect intestinal enzymes much as grapefruits do, but pomegranate juice interactions do not appear to be important.
Show 1136: Do You Really Need That Pill?
Americans are taking more medicines than ever, but that isn't always an advantage. Find out when you should ask if you really need that pill.
Vraylar (Cariprazine) Side Effects, Interactions and Long-Term Complications
If you watch TV you can't avoid prescription drug ads. Have you seen the one for Vraylar to treat bipolar disorder? It seems fantastic, but you will want to discover the pros and cons here.
Why We Can’t Just Slap a Label on It
Have you ever imagined that all the pharmacist has to do for your prescription is slap a label on it? Think again. A lot more goes into keeping you safe.
Antibiotic plus BP medicine Led to Deadly Drug Interaction
A deadly drug interaction likely resulted in high levels of potassium and cardiac arrest. There was no mention of an interaction in the death certificate. Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.
If You’re on Simvastatin, Can You Eat Grapefruit?
If you eat grapefruit the same day you take simvastatin, your blood levels of the drug will be higher.
Is Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Warfarin A Scary Combination?
Acetaminophen is perceived as super safe. But when you combine acetaminophen (Tylenol) and warfarin it is possible you could develop a dangerous bleeding problem.
Beta Blockers Boost Benefits from Cancer Immunotherapy
A familiar and inexpensive beta blocker like propranolol may make cancer immunotherapy for melanoma and other tumors far more effective.
Serotonin Syndrome From Lexapro Plus Robitussin DM?
Are you coughing? If so, you may reach for a cough remedy with DM (dextromethorphan). It might trigger serotonin syndrome if added to the wrong medications.
Beware Amiodarone Side Effects and Interactions
Amiodarone is FDA-approved for extremely hard-to-treat heart rhythm disturbances. Amiodarone side effects are scary. This drug requires cautious management!