Medication Safety and Management of Side Effects Unwanted or unexpected reactions to a medication or treatment.

Medication interactions

There is potential for medications to interact with other medications or with other consumables (e.g. foods like grapefruit, leafy greens, and those that contain dairy and drinks like alcohol and those that contain caffeine).

What is a medication interaction?

  • A medication interaction is when there is a reaction between two or more medications (medication-medication) or between a medication and a food or beverage (medication-food). A medication interaction typically results in one of three main effects:
    1. increase in the action of the medication
    2. decrease in the action of the medication
    3. occurrence of harmful effects
  • Many medication information sheets provided with the prescription have details about potential medication interactions A reaction between two or more drugs, or between a drug and food, drink or supplement. A medication interaction can delay, decrease or increase the action that can prevent the drug from performing as expected.
  • There are several online resources that can be used as a starting point to look for information on potential medication-medication interactions A reaction between two or more drugs, or between a drug and food, drink or supplement. A medication interaction can delay, decrease or increase the action that can prevent the drug from performing as expected. . However, these resources should not be used to replace the advice of your healthcare provider.

Strategies to minimize medication interactions

  1. Know why you are taking each of your medications and know how to take them
  2. Fill your prescriptions at the same pharmacy, if possible. If it’s not possible, make sure each pharmacy has a list of all the medications you are taking and what is filled at a different pharmacy
  3. Discuss over-the-counter A medication that can be bought without a prescription (doctor’s orders). For example, acetaminophen. medications and natural health products Naturally occurring substances that can be used in products to maintain or restore health. Common natural health products include vitamins, minerals, and substances that come from a natural source (e.g., omega-3 fatty acids). with your pharmacist before starting them
  4. Talk to your pharmacist about any foods or beverages you should limit or avoid (e.g. alcohol, caffeine, fruit juice, milk)
  5. Read the labels on your medications
A symbol of a triangle with an exclamation mark embedded within it, used to draw attention to the note on the right.

Note: If you think you are experiencing or have experienced a medication interaction, talk to your healthcare provider.

References

Harvard Health Publishing. (2016, May 10). 7 things you can do to avoid drug interactions. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/7-things-you-can-do-to-avoid-drug-interactions

HIV Info. (2021). Drug interaction. Drug Interaction . https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/glossary/drug-interaction

Lynch, S. S. (2022, July 18). Drug interactions – drugs. Merck Manuals Consumer Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/en-ca/home/drugs/factors-affecting-response-to-drugs/drug-interactions

Rush. (n.d.). Preventing drug interactions. RUSH. https://www.rush.edu/news/preventing-drug-interactions