Tag

Drug Interactions

All articles tagged with #drug interactions

Interacting Medications Drive Breakthrough Strokes in Anticoagulated Atrial Fibrillation
health2 days ago

Interacting Medications Drive Breakthrough Strokes in Anticoagulated Atrial Fibrillation

In 1,649 AF patients on anticoagulants who had a breakthrough ischemic stroke, about 44% had identifiable causes—primarily drug interactions (28.4%) or competing non-cardioembolic etiologies. Patients with a potential cause had roughly double the 90-day risk of a new ischemic stroke (HR ~2.04), and interacting drugs were linked to a ~3.3-fold higher 90-day risk of myocardial infarction; death rates did not differ significantly. The findings suggest a need for personalized secondary prevention beyond mere anticoagulation to address alternative stroke mechanisms.

Magnesium and Blood Pressure Meds: Timing Matters for Safe Use
health8 days ago

Magnesium and Blood Pressure Meds: Timing Matters for Safe Use

Magnesium can mildly lower blood pressure, especially if deficient, but it is not a substitute for prescribed meds. When taken with BP medications, magnesium can enhance their effects and sometimes cause blood pressure to drop too low; spacing doses by a few hours may help, but follow your clinician's guidance. Magnesium may also affect the absorption of other drugs, and people with kidney disease or on multiple BP meds should be extra cautious and discuss supplementation with their provider.

Most sugar substitutes disrupt gut bacteria and trigger surprising drug interactions
science11 days ago

Most sugar substitutes disrupt gut bacteria and trigger surprising drug interactions

A Cambridge study tested 39 sweeteners against 25 gut bacteria and found that roughly 75% affected at least one strain; mixing sweeteners with common compounds (caffeine, vanillin, and the antidepressant duloxetine) produced over 100 new interactions, some disruptive, suggesting sugar substitutes can alter the gut microbiome and interact with medications; the WHO notes non-sugar sweeteners show no proven long-term weight‑loss benefits.

Aspirin Safety Alert: Avoid Mixing It With This Common Supplement
health12 days ago

Aspirin Safety Alert: Avoid Mixing It With This Common Supplement

Pharmacists warn that even low-dose aspirin can interact with many medications and supplements, increasing the risk of stomach or brain bleeding. Avoid mixing aspirin with blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa, Plavix, Brilinta, Effient), other NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen), certain antidepressants (like Prozac and Zoloft), steroids (prednisone, methylprednisolone), and OTC supplements such as ginkgo, garlic, fish oil, and vitamin E. Alcohol can further irritate the stomach when taken with aspirin. Always discuss aspirin use with your doctor and inform all providers about your aspirin use before starting or stopping it.

More Pills, Higher Risk: Study Ties Polypharmacy to Mortality in Older Adults
health25 days ago

More Pills, Higher Risk: Study Ties Polypharmacy to Mortality in Older Adults

A study of 7,828 adults aged 65+ followed for about 8.5 years found that taking five or more prescription medications (polypharmacy) is associated with a 38% higher overall mortality risk, with each additional medication linked to roughly a 7% increase. The findings suggest considering deprescribing, but limitations include a single 30-day medication snapshot and the observational nature of the study; patients should review all meds with their clinician.

Safe Ways to Use Tylenol and Advil Together
health4 months ago

Safe Ways to Use Tylenol and Advil Together

Experts say you can safely use ibuprofen (Advil) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) together if you dose them carefully and don’t exceed the maximum daily amounts; start with one medicine and, if needed, alternate with the other while following label directions. Be sure to check for acetaminophen in other meds to avoid overdose, since too much can harm the liver, and ibuprofen can affect the kidneys. If symptoms are mild, you may skip meds and consult a pharmacist or doctor for personalized dosing.

Older Adults Face Hidden Risks as Cannabis Potency Rises
health6 months ago

Older Adults Face Hidden Risks as Cannabis Potency Rises

As cannabis use climbs among people over 65, Stanford Medicine experts warn that today's high-potency products may raise risks for heart disease, cognitive decline, falls, and drug interactions, while research remains limited by federal legal constraints. About 30% of regular cannabis users may develop cannabis use disorder, and patients should discuss use with a healthcare provider to weigh benefits against potential harms and consider safer alternatives, especially for those with chronic conditions or on other medications. FDA-approved cannabis-related drugs exist for specific conditions, but cannabis as medicine lacks broad approval.

Doctors Warn Against Combining These 2 Over-The-Counter Medications
health9 months ago

Doctors Warn Against Combining These 2 Over-The-Counter Medications

Taking OTC medications like Tylenol and NyQuil together can be dangerous due to double-dosing of acetaminophen, risking severe liver damage. Combining NyQuil and Benadryl or Benadryl and sleep aids can cause serious side effects like drowsiness and confusion. It's crucial to read medication labels carefully, avoid overlapping ingredients, and consult pharmacists for guidance to prevent harmful interactions and ensure safe use of OTC drugs.

Dangerous Supplement Combinations: Expert Warnings on Toxic Pairings
health1 year ago

Dangerous Supplement Combinations: Expert Warnings on Toxic Pairings

Certain combinations of supplements and medications can lead to serious health risks, including organ damage. For instance, taking red yeast rice with niacin can harm the liver, while combining fish oil with ginkgo biloba may cause uncontrolled bleeding. St. John's wort with antidepressants can lead to serotonin syndrome, and CoQ10 with diabetes medications can dangerously lower blood sugar. Additionally, garlic and other blood-thinning supplements should not be taken with blood thinners to avoid internal bleeding. Consulting a doctor before combining supplements is advised.

Dangerous Supplement Combos: What to Avoid for Your Health
health1 year ago

Dangerous Supplement Combos: What to Avoid for Your Health

Experts warn that certain combinations of supplements can be harmful, potentially leading to liver damage, excessive bleeding, or nutrient deficiencies. Notably, red yeast rice extract and niacin can cause liver damage, while omega-3 and ginkgo can dangerously increase blood flow. To avoid negative interactions, it's advised to space out the intake of certain supplements like magnesium and calcium, or zinc and copper, by at least two hours. Additionally, combining supplements with certain medications, such as St. John's Wort with antidepressants, can lead to serious health issues.

"Surge in UK Deaths Linked to Common Anxiety Drug"
health-pharmaceuticals2 years ago

"Surge in UK Deaths Linked to Common Anxiety Drug"

The UK has seen a surge in deaths linked to the anxiety drug pregabalin, with 441 deaths in 2022 compared to 187 in 2018. Reports comparing this to the US opioid epidemic may cause undue panic, as most fatalities are due to interactions with other drugs, particularly opioids. The rise in deaths coincides with an increase in pregabalin prescriptions, suggesting a need for better education on risks and drug interactions. Certain groups, such as those with substance use disorder, are at higher risk, and there's evidence of growing illicit use. Understanding why people combine pregabalin with other drugs is crucial for developing strategies to reduce harm.

healthtech2 years ago

"AI-Driven Model Identifies Dangerous Drug Interactions for Safer Prescribing"

A new AI has been developed to identify potentially dangerous drug combinations by analyzing the specific transporter proteins used by individual drugs to leave the digestive tract, as drugs using the same transporter may interfere with each other. This knowledge could significantly improve patient treatment by avoiding harmful drug interactions.