Avoiding Drug Interactions
What is Considered a Drug Interaction?
A drug interaction can happen when:
- Two or more drugs you’re taking react with each other.
- A drug reacts with certain foods, drinks or supplements.
- When certain medical conditions make taking certain drugs potentially harmful.
How to Avoid Drug Interactions
Learning more about prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking can help prevent unintended drug interactions. The actions listed below can help prevent unintended interactions with both prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Read the Medication Guide and any Warnings Listed on a Bottle – Known drug interactions will be listed in the information guide that comes with your medication or directly on the bottle. Since these may be updated as new information is discovered, it is important to read through and understand this information every time you refill your medication.
Take Your Medication as Directed – Some medications may need to be taken with food to help your body absorb it, while with others, taken with food may lower the medication’s ability to work. Other medications may require you to avoid certain types of food or beverages to work.
Keep a List of all Medications and Supplements You are Taking – Having a list of all medications and supplements you are currently taking can help you and your healthcare provider identify any potential drug interactions. This is especially important if you have medications prescribed by different providers or regularly take over-the-counter medications that may not be noted in your medical records.
Look at the Active Ingredients – A drug may go by different names, especially those purchased over the counter, or include more than one active ingredient. Knowing the active ingredients can help you both identify potential drug interactions and avoid accidental overdose of an active ingredient if it’s in more than one medication you take.
Fill Prescriptions at the Same Location – If you are being prescribed medications by more than one provider, having them filled at the same pharmacy location can help identify any medications that may interact with one another. With all your medications in the same pharmacy’s system, a pharmacist will be able to note any potential drug interactions. If an interaction is identified, pharmacists can work with your healthcare providers to identify alternatives or provide additional guidance on how to take both medications to minimize interactions.
Discussing Interactions with Your Healthcare Provider
If you have any questions or concerns about medications you are taking, speak with your healthcare provider. Some questions you may want to ask when starting a new medication include:
- What are signs and symptoms I should look out for?
- Are there any food, supplements or medications I should avoid while taking this?
- Can I take this at the same time as I take my other medications, or should they be taken at a different time during the day?