How to be Drug Smart
35 Easy-To-Take Tips

BY RUSSELL WILD

learn to read the prescription 10 things you should ask about your new prescription

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Drug-Herb Interaction

Gingko	May exaggerate the body’s response to anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents
Ginseng	Can decrease the effectiveness of the anticoagulant warfarin
Saw Palmetto	Doesn’t mix well with estrogens; it can increase the hormone’s effects

Valerian

In conjunction with opiates or barbiturates can seriously sedate you

Drug-Drug Interactions

Acid Reducers	Also know as H2 receptor antagonists, these may slow the metabolism of theophylline (an asthma drug), any of the tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepin), and warfarin
Verapamil	This blood pressure medication can increase the risk of muscle soreness in people taking statin drugs for high cholesterol
Sedatives and Antihistamines	These can combine to severely slow your reaction time, making driving or operating machinery dangerous
Warfarin (Coumadin)	This anticoagulant used to treat blood vessel conditions can interact with many other medications. A particularly bad mix is warfarin and any nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Serious bleeding may result
Viagra	Must never be used by anyone taking medicines that contain nitrates. This includes nitroglycerin, the heart drug. Your blood pressure could drop to an unsafe or life-threatening level

Drug-Condition Interactions

Sleeping Pills	Can complicate a breathing problem such as emphysema or sleep apnea
Nasal Decongestants and Bronchodilators	Can be dangerous when taken by those with heart disease or high blood pressure, thyroid disease, or diabetes
Antihistamines, Decongestants and Antitussives	Many are not recommended for those who have difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate

Drug-Food Interactions

Anticoagulants	Asparagus, Spinach, and Broccoli and similar foods can neutralize anticoagulants. These vegetables are high in vitamin K, which promotes blood clotting
Statins	Grapefruit or Grapefruit Juice interacts with most statin drugs prescribed for lowering cholesterol, increasing the risk of side effects. Orange Juice may be a suitable alternative
Osteoporosis Medicines	When taken With food, the absorption rate of the osteoporosis medicines alendronate (Fosamax) and risedronate (Actonel) is cut in half

How to Proofread a Prescription
Before you leave the druggist’s counter, compare your doctor’s prescription to the label on your bottle. You might catch a deadly mistake. June McKoy, M.D., of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, tells of a patient who was given Lanoxin (a heart drug) instead of Levsin (a drug for irritable bowel). To catch similar errors, follow this prescription for proofreading:

Your Name	Is your name correct on both the prescription and the medicine bottle? If you have a name such as Bob Jones or Mary Smith, make sure you include your middle initial
Name of Medication	Is the name of the medication correct? Look carefully. Some drug names are similar. Norvasc, for example, is for high blood pressure. Navane is for psychosis
Dosage	Is the dosage the same as what your doctor told you?
Instructions	Are the instructions understandable? Doctors and pharmacists often communicate in Latin. With the help of the mini-dictionary, you can decipher their dialogue

Tips for Traveling With Medications

Keep your medicine with you—not in checked luggage.

Bring more than enough medicine for your trip.

Review your dosage schedule with your doctor or pharmacist before you leave and discuss whether you should make allowances for changes in time zones.

Keep a list of all your medicines and dietary supplements.

 

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