Dangerous drug combinations you may be taking
Dangerous drug combinations you may be taking. Going to the pharmacy or chemist to buy medicines without a prescription—we have all done that. There’s no need to feel guilty about it. However, what we may not realise, some combinations of medicines are more dangerous than what we know.
3 Over-The-Counter medicines you should never take together
Going to the pharmacy or chemist to buy medicines without a prescription—we have all done that. There’s no need to feel guilty about it. However, what we may not realise, some combinations of medicines are more dangerous than what we know.
Most people read labels while buying OTC drugs. However, they may not be aware of the potential problems these common combinations of drugs, such as two OTC medicines with the same active ingredient, pose.
Some common combinations we take:
1. Any combo of ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin
Crocin, Disprin, Paracetamol, Dolo: drugs with these brand names fall into the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The mechanism of action of these drugs works via same underlying pathways. As a result, there is greater risk of side effects that includes liver damage.
“These range from mild nausea to severe gastrointestinal bleeding,” says Tim Davis, PharmD, a member of the National Community Pharmacists Association.
Try this: Take one drug at a time. For example, if you have headaches, focus on a combination of paracetamol and aspirin, while naproxen and aspirin combo is good to soothe muscle aches.
2. Antidiarrheal medicine and calcium supplements
Calcium or any calcium-containing product like milk, firms your stool. When taking any antidiarreal drug like loperamide or Imodium, avoid calcium in your diet.
Try this: Avoid calcium supplements until your bowel problems Give your calcium pills a rest until your bowel problems settle. A couple of days without them will not result in severity to bone health.
3. Antihistamines and motion-sickness medications
Common allergy medicines like Benadryl, Avil, etc that contain antihistamine to treat sniffles, red eyes, sneezing should not be taken with motion-sickness medications like Dramamine or Gravol. It adds up to excess drowsiness.
"I've heard about people sleeping through their flight connection because they took too much antihistamine," says Nicole Gattas, PharmD, an associate professor of pharmacy practice at St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
Try this: If you're already on antihistamine meds, look for a nondrowsy motion sickness formula containing the active ingredient meclizine, like Diligan or PNV.
