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INTERACTIONS

Drug. INTERACTIONS. When 2 rights make a wrong. Introduction. You are at risk for a drug interaction: Have certain health conditions Use different pharmacies See more than 1 doctor If you take more than 1 medicine If you take medicine (Rx or OTC). Objectives.

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INTERACTIONS

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  1. Drug INTERACTIONS When 2 rights make a wrong

  2. Introduction • You are at risk for a drug interaction: • Have certain health conditions • Use different pharmacies • See more than 1 doctor • If you take more than 1 medicine • If you take medicine (Rx or OTC)

  3. Objectives • Definition of drug interaction • Type of drug interactions • How to prevent a drug interaction • Self help

  4. What is a drug interaction? Definition

  5. What is a drug interaction? • Side effect when drugs are mixed with other substances that should not go together • This substance gets in the way of a drug working in the body the way it is supposed to • Side effects that you did not expect

  6. Not all drug interactions are the same..but they are all dangerous! • Some interactions: • Medicines become stronger • Medicines do not work as well as they should • Medicines do not work at all • Have an effect on the body that neither the drug nor the other substance would have by itself

  7. How will I know if I’ve had a drug interaction? • Feel sick • Vomiting, upset stomach, heartburn, dizziness, headache • Have worse symptoms than you already have • Have an allergic-type reaction • Become very awake and active • Get very sleepy • Irritated, angry or moody • Sometimes there are no symptoms • Pass out If it feels out of the ordinary, then you may be having a drug interaction.

  8. Can a drug interaction be deadly? • Sometimes, yes. • Usually occurs: • Overdosing • Bad cocktail of drugs

  9. Remember, it can happen to anyone

  10. What to do? • Call • Poison Control Center

  11. Types of Drug interactions

  12. Pre-existing conditions • Can produce a side effect when combined with drugs • Bleeding ulcer + ibuprofen • High blood pressure + nasal decongestant x

  13. 3 main types of drug interactions • A drug can have an interaction with: • Other drugs • Includes OTC and Rx • Food and beverages • Supplements and herbs

  14. Example: Drug-Drug Interaction • 2 out of 3 patients leave doctor’s office with prescription • With every additional drug you take, you increase your risk for a drug interaction!

  15. Example: Drug-supplement • Majority of Americans take a supplement • $14.8 Billion (spent on natural products, not including vitamin and minerals)

  16. Coumadin and vitamin E • Dorothy had a heart attack. • Gets Coumadin • Vitamin E is “heart healthy” • Can Dorothy take this drug and supplement together?

  17. Coumadin + Vitamin E = ? • What does Coumadin do? • Thins blood • What does vitamin E do? • Prevent clotting, antioxidant • What can happen? • An additive effect: increased risk of bleeding NO! Coumadin and Vitamin E should not be taken together!

  18. Example: Drug-food Typical reactions: Delayed, lower or higher absorption of medicine into the blood

  19. Example: Drug-beverage Proceed with caution!

  20. How to prevent a drug interaction, or lower my risk PREVENTION

  21. ALWAYS read drug labels carefully • Drug labels will tell you: • What the drug is used for • How to take the drug • How to reduce the risk for • A drug interaction • Unwanted side effects • Read for Rx and OTC

  22. Be proactive: ASK PHARMACIST! • Ask your doctor/pharmacist what you need to avoid when prescribed new medicine • Ask about how these affect can you: • Food • Beverages • Dietary supplements • Other drugs • Signs of drug interactions • How does drug work in my body • Where can I find more information?

  23. Keep medications in original containers YES Be Careful!

  24. Be aware • Don’t wait for it to happen! • Learn all the potential risks and benefits of each drug you are taking

  25. Pay attention to how your body feels when taking a new drug

  26. Use 1 pharmacy • They will have a record of all the drugs you are currently taking • Especially important if you have more than 1 doctor!

  27. Keep record of all drugs you are taking • Keep a list with you, on you • Bring the drugs to your doctor or pharmacist • This includes all supplements and herbals

  28. Timing • Some pills cannot be taken together • Vitamins and minerals might interact when taken together with a drug • Your doctor and pharmacist can help create a schedule for you

  29. Don’t stir medication with food or take capsules apart • This may change the way the medicine works • Do not mix medicines with hot drinks • Heat can make the drug stop working

  30. Medicine with alcohol don’t mix! • Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol on a regular basis if you are prescribed medicine • Always ask if you can drink while on a particular medicine NO !!!!!!

  31. Take medication with a full glass of water • No interactions • Helps with absorption

  32. Resources Help Yourself

  33. Drug interaction checker websites • University of Maryland Medical Center • http://www.umm.edu/adam/drug_checker.htm • Drugs Digest • http://www.drugdigest.org • Caremark • http://cpref.goldstandard.com/inter.asp?r=8084 • Drugs.com • http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

  34. Need to find a label? Check out the FDA • http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm

  35. WebMD • http://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx • Need to find what a pill looks like? • Great site to find the latest drug news Don’t know what this is? This site will help you.

  36. Report adverse drug events to the FDA • FDA MedWatch • http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm • 1-800-332-1088

  37. Be safe! Be Smart! “Your health is too important to be playing guessing games.” -Former Surgeon General Richard H Carmona, MD MPH

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