Dangerous Drug Interactions

Thursday, March 1, 2001

(NAPS)—Learning more about dangerous druginteractions could save yourlife. For example, many people may assumethat it’s okay to take an over-the-counter remedy with a prescription drug, but this decision could provoke a serious health risk. “Patients often mistakenly believe over-the-counter medications or herbal remedies are safe under all circumstances because they can buy these products at the supermarket or health food store without a prescription,” said Andrew Garling, M.D., senior vice presidentof clinical operations for Combining a prescription pain AdvancePCS, a leading health improvement company. “Most medication and an over-thecounter pain remedy could result in liver damage. pies can haveserious effects when relievers common nonprescription thera- taken with certain prescription medications.” The potential for dangerous interactions is huge. About two- thirds of the nation’s population currently uses medicines. According to government estimates, Americans buy nearly $11 billion in over-the-counter drugs annu- ally. The sale of herbal remedies represents a market exceeding $2 billion—excluding vitamins and minerals. Surveys commissioned by AdvancePCS confirm manypeople are unaware that common—and seemingly harmless—herbal rem- edies and over-the-counter med- containing aceta- minophen, such as Percocet or Darvocet, with nonprescription cold remedies containing acetaminophen, such as Tylenol Cold or Contact Cold, could causeliver damage. Taking St. John’s Wort, a natural remedy for depression, with a prescription antidepressant such as Prozac, could cause agita- tion, confusion, sleeplessness, and elevated blood pressure. “Your health care professional can help you use medications safely and properly—if you keep him or her informed aboutall the prescription and over-the-counter ications can be dangerous when remedies you are taking,” Garling said. medications. For example: people keep a written record of an herbal remedy containing garlic, could cause uncontrolled bleed- dies, and vitamin supplements they use so it’s easy to share the information with their physicians and pharmacists. combined with certain prescription Taking a prescription blood thinner, such as Coumadin, with ing and/or excessive bruising. Combining prescription pain AdvancePCS recommendsthat all prescriptions, over-thecounter medicines, herbal reme-

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