Drug Interactions
Drug interactions are the Achilles heel of modern medicine. Even with computers, pharmacists, physicians and nurse practitioners may overlook a combination of drugs that is incompatible and could cause serious problems.
Will Boniva Interact with Her Pain Reliever?
You may think of bones as hard and unchanging, but that is a misconception. Living bones are constantly undergoing remodeling. Some cells break down bone tissue while other cells build it up. If the b…
Reversing the Admonition to Avoid Vitamin K with…
I was taught decades ago that if patients were taking the anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin), they would need to avoid green leafy vegetables! That’s because greens are great sources of vitamin K. By…
Warfarin and Green Leafy Vegetables Can Be OK
For decades, patients taking the anticoagulant warfarin, known by the brand name Coumadin, have been admonished to be very careful about consuming foods rich in vitamin K. That’s because too much vi…
Medical Marijuana Users May Require More Anesthe…
Millions of people are now using cannabis regularly. Some smoke marijuana. Others eat marijuana gummies, brownies, chocolate bars, truffles and chocolate chip cookies. Then there is medical marijuana.…
What Is the Story on Grapefruit Juice and Meds?
What do you know about the story on grapefruit juice and drug interactions? Some people have heard that it is risky to combine juice but not fruit with certain medications; others insist that the inte…
Polypharmacy and Premature Deaths Especially in …
Have you been to a doctor’s office or a clinic lately? Chances are very good that a med tech weighed you, measured your blood pressure and took your temperature. This information was entered into a …
Improving Patient Safety by Reducing Alert Fatig…
Drug interactions are a serious hazard in hospitals and in the community. If patients receive prescriptions for incompatible medications, they can experience severe side effects that may even be life …
What Is the Other Drug Epidemic?
Much has been written about the epidemic of opioid drug misuse, overdose and death. With more than 130 people dying every day in this country as a result of opioid overdose, we all have a right to be …
Do Antibiotics Interact with Oral Contraceptives…
Here's a riddle for you: When does 1+1= 0 and 3 simultaneously? The answer: When a woman takes antibiotics together with birth control pills. That's because the antibiotics can reduce the effectivenes…
Will Pain Reliever Interact with Anticoagulant?
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most popular pills in the drugstore. People can buy them without a prescription and use them to treat nearly any type of pain. Although the …
Taking Synthroid in the Middle of the Night
An underactive thyroid gland is a surprisingly common condition, affecting up to 5 percent of adult Americans. More people experience subclinical hypothyroidism than overt hypothyroidism. Nonetheless,…
Why the Holidays Hold Hidden Medication Risks!
This is a dangerous time of the year for tens of millions of people. That’s because nondrinkers frequently find themselves in situations where they are expected to have a drink. It might be at a nei…
Should You Worry About Pomegranate Juice Interac…
Have you ever wondered whether something you are eating or drinking could affect your medication? It's not a crazy idea. For more than 20 years, we have known that grapefruit juice can increase blood …
Show 1136: Do You Really Need That Pill?
Americans take a lot of medications. We appear to have adopted the advertising-based attitude that there is a pill for every ill. But while some medicines may be helpful or even essential in some circ…
Will Your Child Suffer a Dangerous Drug Interact…
Years ago, children were unlikely to take medication for more than a short period of time such as during an ear infection. That has changed dramatically in recent years, according to a study published…
Vraylar (Cariprazine) Side Effects, Interactions…
Have you seen a Vraylar commercial? A woman is having a manic episode. She has Post-it Notes everywhere and as the camera pulls back we see that she is working in an office that is supported by a giga…
Why We Can’t Just Slap a Label on It
“Don’t you just have to slap a label on it?” Pharmacists around the country hear the same thing, all day, every day. I know this because I am in several pharmacist groups on Facebook, each with …
Antibiotic Plus BP Medicine Led to Deadly Drug I…
We have been writing about the dangers of drug interactions for over 40 years. We assumed that when computers entered the scene doctors would check for dangerous drug combinations before prescribing a…
Is Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Warfarin A Scary …
People who have to take a blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin) are caught in a terrible double bind. If they have pain, they have surprisingly few options. That's because NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advi…
Beta Blockers Boost Benefits from Cancer Immunot…
Beta blocker heart medicines have been available for decades. Drugs like propranolol are prescribed to treat the pain of angina, lower high blood pressure and prevent migraine headaches. Might they al…
Serotonin Syndrome From Lexapro Plus Robitussin …
Millions of people take antidepressant medications like escitalopram (Lexapro), citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) or sertraline (Zoloft). These are known as SSRIs (selective…
Beware Amiodarone Side Effects and Interactions
According to the FDA, "Amiodarone is intended for use only in patients with the indicated life-threatening arrhythmias because its use is accompanied by substantial toxicity." The FDA goes on to state…
Tramadol Plus Sertraline Could be Deadly Cocktai…
Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter. It is found in the brain as well as the digestive tract. Serotonin is also found in blood cells called platelets. It plays a crucial role in regulating mood. T…
Are Older People Taking the Wrong Medicines?
Many senior citizens may be taking the wrong medicines. Those who can least defend themselves-those with cognitive difficulties or dementia-may be running the greatest risk. Are People with Dementia B…
Why Are So Many Pharmacists Disillusioned?
Most pharmacists receive a nice paycheck, so any claim that they are disillusioned is unlikely to garner much sympathy. But understanding the reasons why pharmacists are disillusioned may help you to …
Are Soy Products a Problem for People on Synthro…
Levothyroxine (Synthroid) is one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the country. Approximately 20 million Americans have a thyroid condition, so perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that synt…
Are There Foods That Affect Xarelto?
People at risk for dangerous blood clots frequently need to take anticoagulant medication to prevent clots from forming. Perhaps the best-known of these is warfarin. It is inexpensive, and its side ef…
Medical Mistakes and Deadly Drug Interactions
No one likes to make mistakes. It is a humbling experience. Even when lives are not at stake, errors can open you up to ridicule or sanctions. That's why many people try to deny or cover up their erro…
How Bad Is Coffee with Levothyroxine?
Levothyroxine (Levoxyl, Synthroid) was prescribed more than any other medication in the US last year. Wouldn't you think people would be eager to learn the best way to take it? Yet there is surprising…
How Did Grapefruit Lower Blood Pressure So Fast?
Grapefruit has a reputation for having lots of health benefits. It has been promoted for its ability to help people lose weight. One study reported that a grapefruit extract reduced weight gain in obe…
Can You Safely Take Fish Oil with Blood Thinners…
Many of us make a clear distinction between the drugs we take and the vitamins or supplements we use. It seems logical enough for our brains, but our bodies don't recognize categories like that. An…
How to Save Money by Taking Zytiga with Breakfas…
Food and drug interactions are often unpredictable. That is why people taking warfarin are counseled to avoid leafy vegetables that could reverse the effects of this anticoagulant. People with high ch…
Food and Drug Interactions Are Important! Levoth…
The next time you get a prescription from your physician that says "take once a day," stop! Do not accept such a vague instruction. Ask the prescriber what precisely that means and follow up with the…
Will Your Antibiotic Interact with Your Blood Pr…
Before you start taking any new medicine, it makes sense to ask about potential interactions with the drugs you are already taking. It is a good thing one reader asked about potential interactions be…
Will You Suffer a Scary Side Effect?
Americans take a lot of medicines. Almost two-thirds of us take at least one prescription medication daily. One fifth take more than five different doctor-prescribed drugs. That does not include any o…
Why the Pharmacy Safety Net Has HUGE holes
When was the last time you talked to a pharmacist? If you get your medicine through the mail or at a chain drugstore, the chances are good that you did not speak directly with a health professional. I…
Is Your Pharmacist Dispensing Deadly Drug Combin…
One of the most important health stories of the year disappeared almost without a trace within days of making headlines at the Chicago Tribune (Dec. 15, 2016). This newspaper sent investigative report…
How Does Diltiazem Increase the Danger of Simvas…
Do you take more than one medication? If so, have you checked to see whether they are safe together? One reader discovered that a blood pressure pill raises the danger of simvastatin. How Does Diltiaz…
Could Heart Drug Combo Be Hurting People with AF…
Patients with an irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AFib) are frequently prescribed an anticoagulant to prevent blood clots. But adding another common cardiovascular drug might be dan…
Should You Fortify Your Life With Vitamins and M…
We continue to hear from many health professionals that vitamins and minerals are a total waste of money. This popular refrain has been repeated for decades: "If you take vitamins and minerals all you…