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.
Do Anti-Anxiety Drugs Cause Sweating and Insomni…
Many people suffer from anxiety that can interfere with their ability to function from day to day. Doctors often prescribe anti-anxiety drugs, but that might not be a perfect solution. Some medicati…
Is Your Breakfast Messing Up Your Medicine?
When was the last time you read a manual? Most of us are so impatient that we skip straight to plug and play. That's true whether it's a computer program, a cell phone or a rental car. Taking pills is…
Why Potassium Chloride Is Not Always a Safe Salt…
People have been warned that salt (sodium chloride) is dangerous, especially for people with high blood pressure. New research suggests that is only true when people with hypertension consume a lot of…
Side Effects, Interactions and Problems with Pro…
A lot of men who never contemplated problems peeing are now taking drugs to help them urinate: tamsulosin (Flomax, Jalyn), alfuzosin (Uroxatral), silodosin (Rapaflo), doxazosin (Cardura) and terazosin…
Tremors from Tramadol Could Be Scary Serotonin S…
Tramadol is becoming a mainstay in the treatment of pain, especially now that opioids have come under such scrutiny. But the FDA warns that this medication can interact with many other drugs to trigg…
Are You Swallowing A Deadly Drug Combination?
Americans are swallowing more medications than ever before. A recent nationwide study showed that one in three older people take at least five different prescription drugs (JAMA Internal Medicine, Apr…
Is Orange Juice Worth the Hassle from His Wife?
Grapefruit juice has become notorious since the 1991 discovery that drinking grapefruit juice can change the blood levels of certain medications (The Lancet, Feb. 2, 1991). It turns out, however, tha…
Drug Interaction and Diagnostic Failure Led to D…
It is far too easy to assume that an over-the-counter medication won't cause any trouble. After all, you don't even need a prescription for it. How risky could it be? Unfortunately, the answer might b…
Side Effects from Multiple Meds Are Double Troub…
Next time you go to a pharmacy take a few minutes to do some secret research. Linger around the prescription counter and play detective by observing what happens. If you watch people pick up their pre…
Are TV Commercials Pushing People To Take Too Ma…
Americans love their pills. We're taking more medicine now than ever before. Are we taking too many pills? Just watch the evening news or a prime-time television show and you will likely see a variety…
Doctors Often Ignore Deadly Drug Interaction War…
The news this week about aggressive control of hypertension (see this news article) will doubtless lead to many more prescriptions for blood pressure medicine. As it is, Americans are taking more medi…
Medicines that Shift Serotonin Levels Can Cause …
Serotonin used to be an esoteric term used by neuroscientists to describe a chemical found in the brain, digestive tract and blood. But thanks to drugs like Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft, this chemical t…
Turmeric Plus Coumadin Triggered Scary Nosebleed
Turmeric and its major component curcumin can cause bleeding trouble when combined with drugs used to prevent clotting. It is smart to check on possible interactions before mixing herbs and medication…
Beware Dangerous Grapefruit Juice Interactions w…
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice have the potential to interact in a dangerous way with a wide range of medications. It makes sense to ask the prescriber and the pharmacist about this potential. Q. I'v…
Blood Pressure Drug Combos That Could Be Lethal
When doctors prescribe blood pressure medication, their goal is to reduce the likelihood that a patient with hypertension will develop heart attacks, strokes, kidney damage, eye problems or even Alzhe…
Chantix and Alcohol Don’t Mix, Says FDA
It can take years for the FDA to recognize a drug interaction problem. That's because there is no organized system for anticipating or testing potentially dangerous drug combinations. Alcohol and Chan…
Simvastatin User Misses His Grapefruit
Iteractions between food and medicines don't usually get a lot of attention. The exception is grapefruit. People didn't take grapefruit interactions seriously when they were first discovered, but deca…
Dangerous Interactions with Warfarin (Coumadin) …
Many people are interested in using natural approaches for pain relief. However, those taking anticoagulants such as warfarin must be especially alert for potential risks. Doctors warn their patients …
Tramadol Interaction with Antidepressants Can Be…
Q. Recently my husband took tramadol after back surgery. He was also taking an SSRI anti-depressant. He suffered severe hallucinations and sleep-talking throughout the night. The ER doctor suspected s…
A Deadly Drug Interaction Often Ignored by Docto…
Combining a common antibiotic with an even more common blood pressure medicine can result in sudden death. The interaction can lead to dangerously high levels of potassium (hyperkalemia) in the body, …
NSAID with Anticoagulant Raises Risk of Bleeding
A Danish study has found that a common combination of medications can increase the possibility of serious or even lethal hemorrhage. People with the irregular heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (…
Will Your Food Foil Your Medicine? Deadly Drug I…
Are you taking your medicine correctly? Or are you wasting good money by swallowing your pills with food that can counteract their benefits? Millions of people make mistakes without realizing it. In s…
Crestor Should Not Be Combined with Red Yeast Ri…
Q. Is it harmful to take Crestor with red yeast rice? My doctor prescribed Crestor, but I have also been taking red yeast rice. I would like to get my cholesterol level lower so I do not need to take …
Do Doctors, Nurses & Pharmacists Need Educa…
Modern medicine has shunned its past. There was a time when medical students, nursing students and pharmacy students were taught about herbal medicines. That's because many of the drugs they prescribe…
Common Lack of Vitamin B12 Linked to Depression …
Vitamin deficiencies are supposed to be a thing of the past. But a lack of vitamin B12 may be surprisingly common. Most people don't think twice about this nutrient, also known as cobalamin. Vitamins …
Will Ibuprofen Counteract Aspirin’s Cardia…
Q. Are there problems associated with taking daily low-dose aspirin for cardiac protection along with ibuprofen for pain relief? I've read that taking an NSAID like ibuprofen can negate the desired ef…
Be VERY Careful About Combining BP Drugs Lisino…
Blood pressure control is fundamental to keeping your heart, kidneys and brain healthy. But sometimes it is far from easy! Doctors may need to prescribe more than one drug, but combining BP drugs mus…
Green Tea Interacts with Blood Pressure Pill Nad…
Those who prefer green tea as their morning beverage have just been warned that the drug can interact with a beta blocker blood pressure medicine called nadolol (Corgard). Ten people were given either…
Beware Interactions Between Cinnamon and Medicat…
We often warn patients to be aware of potential interactions among the different medicines they take. That is just as important for those taking dietary supplements. Unfortunately, it can be far more …
Antidepressant Reacts Badly With Cold Medicine: …
When you reach for an over-the-counter medicine, do you think about whether it is compatible with other drugs you may be taking? Few people do, but that could be a big mistake. Even cold medicine coul…
Anti-inflammatory Drugs Linked to Low Levels of …
People with arthritis frequently take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen or Celebrex for pain relief. A new study suggests, however, that long-term use of such medication…
Are Uncle’s Medications Contributing to hi…
Q. My uncle lives alone and is about to turn 86. He is part of a generation that goes to the doctor regularly and takes whatever is prescribed without question. He has been dizzy lately and has had a …
Drugs for Depression and Migraine Headaches Hold…
Q. I have suffered with both migraines and depression for years. My doctor prescribed Cymbalta for the depression, sumatriptan for the migraines, Provigil to stay awake during the day and trazodone to…
Celebrex Side Effects & Interactions Are Sc…
If you watch television you have probably seen the current Celebrex commercial. It starts with a picture book of a woman sitting in a lounge chair at the beach waving to friends. The pages flip quickl…
Eliquis (Apixaban) Side Effects & Interacti…
Q. I have been taking Coumadin (warfarin) for years, however, my doctor recently recommended that I switch to Xarelto or Eliquis. I am looking for more information on Eliquis to evaluate the pros and …
Drug Interactions Making Mom Dizzy
Q. My mom has always been active and engaged but lately she seems to be fading and confused. She constantly complains of being dizzy or light-headed. She also has ringing in the ears and insomnia. Her…
Enbrel & Remicade Side Effects & Compl…
Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis can turn moving into misery. These conditions are far worse than aching joints; in some cases, they can be crippling. For cer…
Juice and Pills Can Be a Deadly Mix
Speed kills, especially when it comes to pills. Everyone is in such a hurry these days that it's rare for physicians to provide detailed instructions about how to take prescribed medicine. You probabl…
Warfarin (Coumadin) Side Effects & Interact…
Warfarin remains an important drug for preventing blood clots that can cause heart attacks and strokes. This anticoagulant is tricky, though. It can interact with dozens of other medications and even …
Medications Sapping His Energy
Q. My husband takes blood pressure medicine (lisinopril, carvedilol, clonidine and amlodipine). In addition, he takes amiodarone and Plavix for his heart. I believe that some of these drugs are wiping…