Tips to Avoid Negative Drug Interactions

 

When your doctor prescribes you a medication, do you ask about what foods you should avoid? Do you mention that herbal supplement you’ve been taking?

 

According to the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), if you’re not asking your doctor these questions, you should be. Adverse drug reactions occur in 2 million people per year. Seemingly harmless foods such as chocolate, licorice, and grapefruit juice are known to interact negatively with certain drugs, and herbal supplements such as St. John’s Wort and ginseng can also be dangerous.

 

Other drugs, such as vitamins, even if they’re over the counter, can also have negative health consequences when mixed with other medications.

 

To help avoid negative drug interactions, use these tips from the FDA :

 1.Always read drug labels carefully.

 2.Learn about the warnings for all the drugs you take.

 3.Keep medications in their original containers so that you can easily identify them.

 4.Ask your doctor what you need to avoid when you are prescribed a new medication. Ask about food, beverages, dietary supplements, and other drugs.

 5.Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking an over-the-counter drug if you are taking prescription medications.

 6.Use one pharmacy for all of your medication needs.

 7.Keep all of your health care professionals informed about everything you take.

 8.Keep a record of all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and dietary supplements (including herbs) that you take. Try to keep this list with you at all times, but especially when you go to any medical appointment, as then you will be able to share this important information with your provider.