HEALTH FEATURE ARCHIVE

Drug Interactions - Questions for Your Doctor or Pharmacist

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the drugs you take. When your doctor prescribes a new drug, discuss all OTC and prescription drugs, dietary supplements, vitamins, botanicals, minerals and herbs you take, as well as the foods you eat. Ask your pharmacist for the package insert for each prescription drug you take. The package insert provides more information about potential drug interactions.

Before taking a drug, ask your doctor or pharmacist the following questions:

• Can I take it with other drugs?
• Should I avoid certain foods, beverages or other products?
• What are possible drug interaction signs I should know about?
• How will the drug work in my body?
• Is there more information available about the drug or my condition (on the Internet or in health and medical literature)?

Know how to take drugs safely and responsibly. Remember thedrug label will tell you:

• What the drug is used for
• How to take the drug
• How to reduce the risk of drug interactions and unwanted side effects

If you still have questions after reading the drug product label, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

For additional important information about reading drug labels, and interactions, please see the MedicineNet.com articles:

• What You Should Know About Your Drugs
• Over-The-Counter Drugs - How To Read The Label
• Herbs: Toxicities and Drug Interactions

Portions of the above information was provided with the kind permission of the Federal Consumer Information Center, www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Last Editorial Review: 6/3/2001