Anyone who has taken a multitude of medications KNOWS that each medication has its own set of rules. What many leaflets don't explain is WHY these rules exist.
Here are a few examples of rules that come with medications that I take on a regular basis:
1. Doxycycline (antibiotic prescribed to me to keep my Chronic Pouchitis at bay, as well as help reduce the amount of staph infections under my skin)
- should be taken on an empty stomach but with LOTS of water.
- you cannot lie down for at least 30 minutes after taking this medication.
Why? If Doxycycline takes too long to pass through your esophagus and stomach, it can partially dissolve and can result in developing ulcers. A common result is something called Esophagitis - ulceration in the esophagus - which I have had to go to the hospital for because it nearly perforated.
2. Flagyl (another antibiotic taken for the same above reasons).
- no alcohol
That is the main rule that I know very well. It is a drug interaction that isn't pretty. Along with potential liver damage, I have experienced bloody vomiting from accidental ingestion of alcohol while on this medication. (Wine sauces when the alcohol was not cooked out properly, and asking for a virgin drink and finding out too late that it contained alcohol - yes it can happen that quickly).
3. Ciprofloxacin (antibiotic, same as above)
- cannot be taken with Zofran
Zofran is a very good anti-nausea medication. There is a drug interaction between the two that can result in heart arrhythmia and tachycardia. I already have tachycardia, and before the literature came out on this interaction, I experienced this first-hand. My heart-rate usually sits around 85-100bpm resting, but for a week it shot up to 140bpm resting. I cannot tell you how much this affected my entire life - from moving to trying to sleep.
4. Diazepam (this is an occasional medication I sometimes take to help reduce the effects of a severe HAE attack, as well as acting as a muscle relaxant when I have a severe arthritis flare or, for instance, when I herniated two discs in my back).
- do not ingest any grapefruit or grapefruit juice
- do not operate heavy machinery or a vehicle until you know how this medication affects you.
Grapefruit is a total no-no for MANY medications as it can have a FATAL interaction with many different drugs. Basically, if you are on any medications, especially pain relievers, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety drugs, as well as others, stay far far away from Grapefruit.
Obviously, any medication that can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or slowed function, should not be taken while operating large machinery - unless it is a permanent prescription and a person has been deemed tolerant and has been cleared by physicians to operate machinery. Doses should be closely monitored.
5. Estradiol Add-Back (taken for hormone replacement therapy due to my recent hysterectomy/oophorectomy surgery).
- cannot be taken if you have a history of blood clots.
- cannot be taken with other medications that can thicken the blood.
This is why there is a certain risk for stroke or heart attack in many forms of birth control - it can cause blood clots. This is why I cannot take my Tranexamic Acid while I take Estradiol - both medications have a risk of blood clots.
6. Synthroid (prescribed because of suffering from Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - an auto-immune inflammatory thyroid condition presenting as under active at the moment, but can alternate).
- do not consume dairy 30 minutes prior or 2 hours after taking this medication.
Dairy interacting with this medication can actually decrease its effectiveness, which can have detrimental effects.
7. Robaxacet (taken to help relax muscles and reduce muscle pain. I use these at times instead of more potent pain killers if my pain is less than usual).
- do not take while you are taking other medications with Acetaminophen. (Tylenol).
- limit or nix your alcohol consumption.
There are MANY products that contain Acetaminophen - and you should always read all product ingredient labels. Too much of this medication can result in liver failure. Any kind of Tylenol, Robaxacet, over-the-counter sleep aids, stomach relievers, cough/cold/flu medications, Neocitran, etc... they all contain some amount of the medication. Make sure to know exactly how much you are taking in a day.
Contrary to popular belief, taking Tylenol with alcohol is not prohibited because it can increase the effect of the medication, it is prohibited because of its effects on the liver. Both alcohol and acetaminophen can be incredibly damaging to the liver, and taking both just doubles the danger.
Those are just a few examples.
Another issue is recognizing all of the different products that can contain the same ingredient. For me, I am allergic to a lot of medications, but I had NO idea that certain products contained the same ingredient as my allergies.
For instance - I am very allergic to Aspirin. Also known as ASA. Or Acetyl-Salicylic-Acid. Salicylic Acid can be found in MOST skin care products that target pimples and break-outs. Proactive is one, as well as many Avon products, ClearSkin, etc. ASA is an anti-inflammatory, which is one of the reasons why it works! But if you are allergic, then these products will not work and may cause more damage. ASA is also found in many topical muscle/joint creams, like Voltaren and A535. Again, they work because they contain an anti-inflammatory medication.
Another VERY important point about ASA is that salicylic acid is derived from Willow Bark. So anything labeled as containing Willow Bark will have the same properties, and should be avoided if you have an allergy. So if you are allergic to any of these forms of this anti-inflammatory, walk right past the Gravol with natural Willow Bark.
I am also allergic to Advil/Ibuprofen/Toradol/Oxycodone.
What kinds of medications contain these ingredients, apart from the obvious? Aleve, Robaxisal, Robax, Robax Platinum, Percocet, many over-the-counter sleep aids, muscle relaxants, pain relievers, cold/cough/flu medicines, etc...
And just a quick reminder - Acetaminophen based products can accumulate and damage your liver if you are not careful, but NSAID based products (Advil) can be extremely hard on the stomach and stomach lining and can create ulcers or even stomach bleeds in rare cases.
Always know what you are taking. Always be honest with your health professional about ALL over-the-counter medications you are taking. And ALWAYS read and follow the label's ingredients, instructions, and warnings.
And if you are not sure about some ingredients, a quick Google search might just help you avoid some adverse effects.
*** All of the above information is from personal experience and YEARS of experience as a patient only and is not to be taken as professional advice. Always speak to your doctor before taking or changing medications.