Drug interactions put thousands of people in the hospital every year. While many drugs can be safely taken in conjunction with one another, there are other drugs that are incredibly dangerous when taken in combination. Here are the four most dangerous drug interactions that you should be aware of:
1. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor - SSRI Antidepressants
There are over 25 million people in the country who take one SSRI antidepressant or another. While most of these people understand that drinking alcohol with these drugs should be avoided, many are not aware of the dangerous interactions that SSRIs have with other medications.
SSRIs should never be taken in combination with prescription pain medication or over-the-counter, or OTC, antihistamines. Taking pain medication with an SSRI can lead to serotonin syndrome, and taking an antihistamine with an SSRI can result in marked, unexpected drowsiness.
2. Hydrochlorothiazide Blood Pressure Medication - HCTZ
HCTZ is a diuretic that is taken by people to reduce hypertension. HCTZ medications should never be taken with prescription heart rhythm medications; the combination can cause a drop in potassium levels. OTC decongestants taken with HCTZ can inhibit the way that HCTZ works, causing a rise in blood pressure. Foods that contain glycyrrhizin should also be avoided as they can have the same effects as decongestants.
3. Statins
Statins are cholesterol lowering drugs that are taken by over 20 million people in America. A side effect in some statins is muscle soreness which can be made worse by some prescription medications. In fact, taking statins with prescripton yeast infection or oral fungal medications can cause muscle fibers to break down. The combination of drugs can also limit kidney function so severely that the kidneys may shut down. B complex vitamins or grapefruit juice taken in combination with statins can have the same effect on the kidneys.
4. Warfarin
Warfarin is a drug given to people to prevent blood clots in blood vessels. People who have had a heart attack, stroke or have prosthetic limbs are most often prescribed warfarin. The drug should not be taken in conjunction with SSRIs, erythromycin, antifunglas, ciprofloxacin, omeprazole, amiodarone or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Taking warfarin with any of these prescription medications can cause the metabolism of warfarin to be affected, increasing its anticoagulation properties.
It's imperative that you understand any possible drug interactions when you are given multiple prescription medications. You should also understand how OTC medications, foods and beverages can affect the way that your prescription medication works. If you are given a prescription medication, be sure to speak with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that you understand any potential side effects and dangerous interactions related to the drug.
Author: Scott J. Alexander