Talk with your doctor first.
Check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any new medicine, whether itis prescription, over-the-counter, dietary supplement, or an herbal preparation. Drug interactions can cause many, often serious, problems.
If you’re on the blood-thinner warfarin, for instance, taking a drug or alternative therapy that further thins your blood could put you at risk for a life-threatening stroke or internal bleeding.
Over-the-counter drugs can be particularly hazardous:
- Decongestants that contain ephedrine can elevate your blood pressure and cause heart rhythm abnormalities.Migraine headache medicines can elevate blood pressure and even bring on a heart attack in people with advanced heart disease.Weight-loss medicines may contain ephedrine, a drug that can increase blood pressure and heart rate and cause heart rhythm problems.
Stick with a single pharmacy.
Many pharmacists rely on a sophisticated computer system that does a cross-check of all your medicines with each new prescription and automatically warns of potential adverse drug interactions. If you purchase a drug elsewhere, however, it won’t show up in the system.
Don’t stop taking a medicine.
Never stop taking a medicine without your doctor’s OK. If price is an issue, ask your healthcare provider if there’s a lower-cost alternative.
If you abruptly stop taking beta-blockers, your heart rate and blood pressure can temporarily soar from a withdrawal effect. If you discontinue a medicine that stabilizes your heart rhythm or prevents blood clots, you could suffer a heart attack.
For the same reasons, never delay refilling a prescription.