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We reach for drugs both in summer and winter. This means that even during warm seasons, infections or allergies can occur. Many people, as soon as they notice the signs of the infection or allergy, immediately go to the pharmacy for one of the over-the-counter medications, which will eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Very often, consumers do not pay attention to whether a given medication can be taken in conjunction with others.
Which drugs should not be combined with each other?
First of all, you should not mix different cold medications. Interactions of drugs intended to eliminate, for example, runny nose, fever and cough are frequent when paracetamol drugs are used alternately with drugs containing acetylsalicylic acid. When the drug interacts with these ingredients, it can lead to side effects and even weaken the work of the liver and kidneys.
It is also inadvisable to combine medications for allergies. A particular risk for allergy sufferers is the combination of medications containing rupatadine with medications containing ketoconazole. Moreover, rupatadinum should not be combined with antibiotics. It is also worth knowing that combining the active substance fexofenadine with drugs containing magnesium or aluminum can also be harmful.
Substances that can cause drug interactions:
- prednisone – is a corticosteroid hormone whose task is to raise the level of hemoglobin and increase the number of red blood cells in the body. When prednisone is used as a remedy for colorectal ulcers, it should not be combined with paracetamol as this can lead to liver poisoning. It is also unfavorable for health to combine it with atropine, anabolic steroids and anticoagulants.
- empagliflozin – is a strong competitive inhibitor of the sodium-glucose counterransporter. If empagliflozin is included in a type II anti-diabetes medicine, it should not be taken together with diuretics as this may increase their effect. Otherwise, the body may become dehydrated.
Drug interactions with food
In some cases, drugs can also interact with food. It is good to know not to drink or mix medications with grapefruit juice and alcohol. People taking antibiotics should not eat or drink calcium-containing products, e.g. milk, sweet yoghurt. Drug interactions with nutrients can cause a rash, weaken the effect of the drug, and even damage the organ. For this reason, you should read the leaflet and follow your doctor’s instructions before taking this medicine.