A Quick Guide about Drug Interactions in Your Body [PART I]

The overwhelming number of drugs in some way race up to compensate several conditions of the body that somehow seemed unreachable in the past. It is quite encouraging to know about the myriad of options that address most of our common ailments which also increases the possibility of the interactions between these drugs.

Drug interactions are the mixtures of medications with other substances which can alter the medications’ effects in the body, either to be less or more potent than intended. 4 Corners Pharmacy, the most trustworthy source of health care supplies in Spring Hill, Florida, believes that everyone should be especially mindful of our medications, including the herbs, supplements, and vitamins you take, because the unexpected side effects may be harmful, and worse, fatal.

It is a good idea to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what you are using to be able to identify the possible interactions and this advice applies to both OTC and prescription medicines.

Types of Drug Interactions:

Drug to Drug – It is the reaction between 2 or more medicines which can involve prescription medicines, OTCs, herbs, vitamins, and supplements.

Drug to Food – This happens when food or beverage changes a drug’s effect. For instance, taking statins for regulation of cholesterol drinks a lot of grapefruit juice can increase the risk of liver damage or kidney failure because it causes too much of the drug to stay in the body.

Drug to Alcohol – Some condition-specific medications are overactive with alcohol and can cause tiredness and delayed reactions. Also, it can increase negative side effects in your body.

Drug to Disease – When a use of a drug conditions a disease the person has. For instance, particular decongestants can increase a person’s blood pressure which is a dangerous interaction for people with colds and high blood pressure.

Drug to Laboratory Test – This happens when a medicine interferes with a laboratory test which can result in the inaccuracy of the test results. For example, some antidepressants have been shown to interfere with skin-prick tests in determining one’s allergies.

Drug interactions can also vary and be altered by a person’s medical history which should be considered.

Genetics – Because of an individual’s unique genetic makeup, most manufactured drugs work differently in different bodies. Some people react to certain medications either more quickly or more slowly than other which can cause drug levels to go down or go up more than expected.

Weight – Some drugs should be dosed according to your weight, while other are not which can generally affect the dose and could also increase or decrease the risk of drug interactions and side effects. You could need a different dose of some medications if you have a substantial change in your weight.

Check out the second part of this series for more information about drug interactions. For a direct consultation, call 4 Corners Pharmacy, a credible provider of health care supplies in Spring Hill, Florida!