- 1. Understand what each medication is for
- 2. Know how to take each medicine
- 3. Buy the drugs at the same pharmacy
- 4. Avoid using supplements
- 5. Make a list of the remedies you use
- Medicines that should not be taken together
The drug interaction happens when the absorption and elimination of a drug is affected, changing the time and the intensity of its effect on the body. Thus, the drug interaction does not cause the production of a poisonous substance to the body, but it is equally dangerous, especially if the effect of the drug is increased, causing an overdose.
This type of interaction is more common when taking two different remedies together, which should not be mixed, but it can also happen due to food intake along with some remedies and even due to the presence of diseases in the body, for example.
1. Understand what each medication is for
Knowing the reason why you take each medicine is more important than knowing its name, since several medicines have similar names that can be changed when telling the doctor about what you are taking.
Thus, when informing the doctor it is important to try to say the name of the remedies, but also to say what they are for, because this way it is easier to identify the correct remedy, avoiding the prescription of a medication that can interact with those that are already being taken.
2. Know how to take each medicine
Before starting to take any medication it is important to ask the doctor how to do it, especially if it should be taken with or without food. This is because several medications, such as those used to treat osteoporosis, have their effect reduced if they are ingested less than 30 minutes after milk, juice or any type of food.
On the other hand, some drugs, such as antibiotics or Ibuprofen, should be taken soon after eating to avoid irritation of the stomach walls.
3. Buy the drugs at the same pharmacy
Often, the drugs used are prescribed by different doctors in different hospitals and clinics. Thus, the chances of a failure to register the medication of each person is very high, facilitating a drug interaction.
However, some pharmacies have an electronic record of the drugs sold to each person over time, so when buying from the same place there is a greater guarantee that the pharmacist will identify drugs that can interact and warn about this risk, indicating the best way to take each one.
4. Avoid using supplements
Most supplements can interact easily with medications prescribed by the doctor, mainly due to the high amounts of vitamins and minerals they have.
In addition, supplements can be easily purchased without the need for a prescription, which increases the chances of the doctor not knowing that you are taking it when prescribing another medication. Therefore, supplements should only be used when prescribed by a doctor.
5. Make a list of the remedies you use
If none of the above tips work, it may be useful to write a list with the name of all the drugs you are using, along with the name of the active ingredient and the time. It is important not to forget to add any supplement that is being used as well.
This list should always be shown to the doctor or the pharmacist when starting to use a new medication.
Medicines that should not be taken together
Some examples of drugs that should not be taken together are:
- Corticosteroids and anti-inflammatory drugs should not be taken at the same time, especially when treatment with corticosteroids lasts more than 5 days. Some examples of corticosteroids are Decadron and Meticorden and anti-inflammatories are Voltaren, Cataflan and Feldene. Antacids and antibiotics should also not be taken at the same time, as antacid decreases the effect of the antibiotic by up to 70%. Some antacids are Pepsamar and mylanta plus, and antibiotic, Trifamox and cephalexin. Medicine to lose weight and antidepressant should only be taken together under medical guidance, as one can potentiate the side effects of the other. Some examples are Deprax, Fluoxetine, Prozac, Vazy and sibutramine-based remedies. Appetite suppressants and anxiolytics can also be dangerous if taken together, as they can create mental confusion and trigger psychosis and schizophrenia. Examples are: Inibex, Dualid, Valium, Lorax and Lexotan.
To avoid this type of problem, no medication should be taken without medical advice. The tip even applies to the intake of medicines and herbal medicines at the same time, as they can also be dangerous.
