Bottom of the Bottle The Dangers of Drug Combinations
____________________ Write your name here and fax the completed puzzle to 860-533-0585, send it via empty delivery box, or bring it to the shop and receive 10 percent off your next order . ( First Last ) Prescription drug use is on the rise in the United States. Dima M. Qato, an associate professor of pharmacy systems, outcomes, and policies at the University of Illinois, interviewed more than 2,000 people across the country, between the ages of 62 and 85. In six years, the percentage of older adults taking at least five prescriptions drugs rose from 30 percent to 36 percent. In the same study, researchers determined the percentage of Americans taking over-the-counter medication, such as the generic version of the commonly prescribed Zocor, doubled. Meanwhile, use of dietary supplements rose from 52 to 63 percent in the same timespan. They credit these increases to changing Medicare laws, new treatment guidelines, and the increased availability of generic drugs. This fact, in and of itself, isn’t a cause for concern. The danger comes when individuals taking many prescriptions mix them with over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements.
Qato and her team identified 15 potentially dangerous combinations of commonly used medications (prescribed and over-the-counter) and supplements. These combinations can undermine the effectiveness of prescription drugs, most commonly those taken for heart health. Furthermore, some drug combinations can lead to dangerous conditions, including bleeding, renal failure, heart attacks, or strokes. “The problem isn’t just with older adults,” Qato cautions. “It can happen to anyone using multiple medications.” It is important for patients to tell their doctor about all the pills they take, including generics bought at the pharmacy and that bottle of omega-3 fish oil from the health food store. It’s only through communication that patients can avoid making a deadly mistake.
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