What do you know about your medication
03/04/2010
IN THIS DAY AND AGE WE HAVE ACCESS TO ANY NUMBER of products to help our bodies function more effectively. We have creams, lotions, tonics, supplements, and prescription medications. This is all well and good, but have you considered how these products may interact together? We all lead active lives and some of us live in different regions with the seasons. It is therefore reasonable to assume that we may also obtain our supplies in different locales and through different physicians, vendors or pharmacies none of whom communicate with each other. In the interest of safety I would suggest that you consider taking the time to visit with your favorite pharmacist or go online (search: drug interactions) to research the implications of combining your specific drugs, and supplements to each other, and please don’t forget to check on the occasional pain reliever. Drug to drug and drug to supplement interaction has become a significant problem, as is drug to certain food and beverages. In the best interest of your health and illness prevention this is an important step. It is a rare incidence that finds us purchasing all of our products from one source. Your pharmacist can only identify the interactions of the products you purchase from them directly. The over-the-counter and health food supplements you purchase elsewhere can enhance or reduce the effectiveness of your medications. Keep in mind that many of the supplements you may purchase directly off the shelf can have potent effects upon your health; this of course can be beneficial, but if your health providers are not aware of what you are taking you may be risking an overdose. We are very lucky to have access to a huge variety of choices, but we must be mindful of our responsibility to make an informed choice. Medicine is not an exact science; one size does not fit all. Ask questions and keep asking them until you are given access to the answers. Above all, do not accept and take a substance into your body without knowledge of its effects, limitations and interactions with every other substance you are taking as well. When a new medication is added to your daily regime the incidence of interaction begins to rise. If you are taking more than five drugs or supplements your incidence for and interaction increases dramatically, if you are over 60 years of age your tolerance to many medications and supplements may vary and the results may differ from those of a younger person. Please look into the resources available in the community, your local pharmacy and online to help you on your road to optimum health!
This article was submitted by Deb Luten, RN, Professional Nurses Registry,
875 SE 47 Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33904. (239) 549-0022.