1 HEALTH in OUR HANDS October 2010

1 HEALTH IN OUR HANDS October 2010

prescription drugs. Since Drug Interactions most people have more Prescription drugs than one doctor these days, can cause multiple adverse Drug interactions multiple medications can reactions when combined. modify the effects of a drug be prescribed without each Adverse reactions include when administered with doctor knowing exactly complications with other another drug. The what is being prescribed by conditions, such as interaction may be an another doctor. This can be diabetes. Another common increase or a decrease in due to patients not being adverse effect would be the the action of either able to provide a complete increased effects of the substance, or there may be list of current medications combination, such as with an adverse effect not to the prescribing doctor or hypertensive medications normally associated with the doctor not being aware that lead to a state of either drug. Drug of current hypotension. The most interactions can occur important factor in these between multiple reactions is proper prescription drugs, Drug medicating. Doctors must prescription drugs and know what medications, over-the-counter drugs, and Interaction including over-the-counter multiple over-the-counter drugs and herbs, their drugs. Some drug Awareness patients are taking in order interactions may be good in to properly prescribe the case of drug literature that shows medication. Doctors must combinations, where drugs evidence of drug also be informed of any are taken together in order interactions. adverse symptoms the to enhance the effects of patient is experiencing in both drugs to benefit the Prescription drugs order to adjust dosage to patient. On the other hand may be combined to appropriately treat their drug interactions can cause enhance the effects of one patients. drug toxicity. Drug toxicity or both drugs in order to occurs when there is a treat specific conditions. Prescription and Over- critical or lethal reaction An example of combination the-Counter Drug due to dosing mistakes, therapy is in the case of Interactions human error or intentional hypertension. Very often overdose in the case of hypertension is treated with suicide or homicide. a combination of Often, prescription prescription diuretics and drugs and over-the-counter drugs are combined to treat Prescription Drug Beta-blockers. This disease processes. Aspirin- Interactions combination therapy is closely monitored by a therapy is used in physician in order to find conjunction with other Drug interactions are the correct dosage of both medications to help control common between multiple medications. heart disease that is 2 HEALTH IN OUR HANDS October 2010

progressed by off the bug. This dosage is also important atherosclerosis. The aspirin combination is fine unless when giving a list of therapy thins the blood the cough medication also medications to your making flow through the contains acetaminophen. physician. vessels easier. This is just The combined cough Drug and Food one example of prescription medication and Interactions and over-the-counter drug acetaminophen can cause interactions. In this case the an increased thinning of the Drugs do not only outcome is good and should blood which can cause interact with each other but be monitored by the adverse effects for some also with the food taken in. prescribing physician. people. Some common interactions that occur with food and Toxicity is also a Knowing Your Drug different medications are an common drug interaction Interactions increased concentration of between prescription and medications in the blood, over-the-counter drugs. The most reduced nausea, increased This interaction is important part of knowing nausea, etc. These commonly seen when if your medications may interactions depend on what patients combine have adverse effects when food and what medication prescription non-steroidal combined is to educate is being taken in. The anti-inflammatory drugs yourself. There are multiple online resources listed with over-the-counter anti- online resources that allow previously will also list the inflammatory drugs, such you to list all medications drug-food interactions. as Motron or Advil. The being taken. The website combination may lead to will take the list and Drug Allergies gastrointestinal tract issues generate a listing of along with other symptoms. common interactions This combination usually A drug allergy is between those medications. the uncommon or unwanted occurs when the patient There are two online continues to take the over- side effect of a medication. resources that could be This type of drug the-counter drugs they had helpful: used to treat their pain interaction occurs with  http://www.drugs.com while also taking the multiple medications, most /drug_interactions.ph medications prescribed by a notable pain medications or p physician. anesthesia. Knowing if you  http://www.drugdigest have a drug allergy, .org/wps/portal/ddiges especially those just Over-the-Counter Drug t Interactions mentioned, is very Drugs.com is very simple important when being to use but Drugdigest.com admitted to the hospital. Commonly, allows for you to find more Informing the doctors and multiple over-the-counter specific medications. Both nurses of an allergy can be drugs are used in resources point out lifesaving. Noticing if an conjunction with each other different drug interactions allergic reaction is to treat acute conditions as well as the severity of occurring is also very that may not need to be the interaction. important. Allergic readily seen by a physician. reactions to medications The mixture of cough Another great may not occur quickly, in medication to reduce resource is the prescribing fact, most allergic reactions symptoms of a seasonal physician or nurse to medication occur hours, illness and acetaminophen practitioner. When days, and even weeks after to reduce fever due to the consulting your healthcare the first dosage. Common illness is commonly seen. provider, you must inform symptoms of allergic This combination can help them of all medication reactions include: a person feel more being taken including over-  Skin Reactions comfortable while fighting the counter drugs. The o Rash or Hives 3 HEALTH IN OUR HANDS October 2010

o Photo-allergy For information about o Erythema ordering a Boston Butt or  Fever purchasing tickets please  Muscle and joint contact aches [email protected].  Lymph node swelling edu  Anaphylaxis Upcoming Events: o Difficulty breathing  Race for the Cure – o Rapid or October 16, Little Rock irregular heart beat  PTSA Fit-4-Life 5k- October 30, Jonesboro o Swelling of For information contact: face, tongue, [email protected] lips, throat and tate.edu joints **If you have any suggestions for newsletter topics, please contact Dean Susan Hanrahan at [email protected]. Article Resources ************** The Arkansas State  http://medical- University Employee dictionary.thefreedictio Wellness Newsletter is nary.com/drug+toxicity published monthly during  http://www.drugs.com/d the academic year by the rug_interactions.php College of Nursing and  http://www.drugdigest.o Health Professions. Health rg/wps/portal/ddigest questions can be addressed  http://www.aafp.org/afp to Dean Susan Hanrahan, /20000515/3049.html Ph.D., ext. 3112 or [email protected].  http://www.webmd.com /heart-disease/aspirin- Produced by Helen Grimes, graduate student in the therapy College of Nursing and  http://familydoctor.org/ Health Professions, online/famdocen/home/ Physical Therapy Program. otc- center/basics/852.html  http://www.emedicineh ealth.com/drug_allergy/ article_em.htm

Other News:

 ASU PTSA will be selling Smoked Boston Butts to be distributed on November 6, 2010.  PTSA is also selling tickets to win six different prize packs through November 13, 2010.