What’s really in the medications that you take? And how do those medications interact with each other? One of the best things you can do for your health is take the time to understand how your various medications affect each other, and your overall wellbeing.
Simply put, medication interaction is how the effects of one drug/medication is impacted by the presence of another drug, food, drink, or even a vitamin supplement. These interactions can up your risk of side-effects, minimise the effectiveness of your medications, or, in some cases, lead to severe health complications. One of the most misunderstood factors about medication is the dosage. Knowing how and when to take your medication can help you avoid medication interaction.
One of the contributing elements of medication interaction is that it can happen in everyday, relatively common situations. For example, you may have a headache and take a painkiller. At the same time, you may be on a blood thinning medication – and when combined, this medication interaction could lead to a side-effect like bleeding. Other interactions that could be harmful include having dairy products while taking antibiotics like tetracycline, as calcium can block absorption. Even a seemingly harmless fruit could cause an issue. For example, grapefruit may increase statin levels in the bloodstream, potentially causing muscle damage or liver problems, while herbal supplements like St. John’s Wort could reduce the effectiveness of prescriptions such as birth control pills or antidepressants. Does medication interaction really matter? The side-effects stemming from medication interactions could be mild or serious enough to be life-threatening. For example, they can reduce a drug's effectiveness or cause everything from nausea and dizziness to internal bleeding or organ damage. In some rare cases, interactions may trigger unexpected and dangerous reactions, such as heart rhythm changes or seizures.
If you notice concerning symptoms which may point to a medication interaction, don’t let the symptoms linger. Get medical advice if you notice:
According to Medirite pharmacist Suzanne Hattingh, “The dosage of any medication is extremely important. Take care to take the correct amount of your medicine. That can make all the difference. Make sure you only use medicine that was tested and approved by a medicine council.”
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, or using any medication.