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Consumers are taking more
medicines than ever before. With nearly three billion prescriptions
dispensed each year, a growing choice of nonprescription medicines, and
the increased use of dietary supplements, the potential for drug
interactions increases. To help consumers avoid potential problems when
taking prescription or nonprescription medicines, the Council on Family
Health (CFH), in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) and the National Consumers League (NCL), has released an update of
its popular free consumer guide Drug Interactions: What You Should
Know.
“Consumers need to be aware that drug interactions can be caused by
medicines, certain pre-existing medical conditions, or even some foods and
beverages,” says CFH President
Robert G. Donovan. “With this updated information for consumers,
the Council on Family Health is reminding everyone to take steps to reduce
the chance of drug interactions.”
The guide, first published in 1994, explains the different types of
drug interactions, includes questions to ask health care professionals,
and stresses the importance of reading medicine labels and package inserts
where such warning information is outlined. The pamphlet also contains a
chart of drug interaction warnings for some common nonprescription
products.
“You can have an interaction with a drug you have been taking if you
add another medicine, dietary supplement, or even certain foods or
beverages,” says Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of FDA’s Center
for Drug Evaluation and Research. She adds: “Some medicines can even
interact with certain medical conditions you may have, such as high blood
pressure.
“Mixing a sedative with some allergy medicines can slow your
reactions, making it unwise to drive,” cautions Woodcock. “Likewise,
mixing medicines with alcohol could also cause an unwanted reaction.”
NCL President Linda Golodner advises: “Always read the
medicine label and find out as much as you can about the medicines you are
taking. Talk to your health professionals about all drugs - both
prescription and nonprescription - and dietary supplements you take and
make sure they won’t interact with each other.”
 “Remember,
information can and does change on the medicine label. Ingredients in
products also can change, so read the medicine label the first time
and every time you use a medicine,” Donovan stresses. “If you
have questions about possible drug interactions, ask your health care
professional.”
Single copies of Drug Interactions: What You Should Know are
available by writing to the Federal Consumer Information Center, Item
#600G, Pueblo, CO 81009. Bulk copies can be ordered from: Council on
Family Health, “Drug Interactions,” 1155 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.,
Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036. Please visit CFH’s web site (www.cfhinfo.org)
to order the guide online or for more information about the Council and
its educational materials.
The Council on Family Health is a nonprofit organization established
more than 30 years ago, dedicated to educating consumers about the proper
use of nonprescription and prescription medicines, home safety, and
personal health.
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