March 26, 2007 Hello! Monday morning, it was big news:
"Anna Nicole Smith died of an accidental drug overdose with
traces of nine prescription drugs in her blood, including
anti-depressants and sedatives, Florida officials said
Monday [March 26, 2007]. ... There was no evidence of
illegal drugs in her body, said Broward County Medical
Examiner Joshua Perper..." While many in the United States (and others around the world) paid attention to the headline because it contained the name "Anna Nicole Smith," there is more to the story.
"Mixing medications can be dangerous -- even deadly ... A
report this month by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention found that deaths from accidental drug
interactions rose 68 percent between 1999 and 2004,
continuing a steady climb since the early 1990s.
Unintentional drug poisonings accounted for nearly 20,000
deaths in 2004, said the CDC, making the problem now the
second-leading cause of accidental death in the United
States, after automobile accidents." Anna Nicole Smith had "traces of nine prescription drugs in her blood." As people age, or struggle with various health problems for which there are more and more medications, the chances of a dangerous combination increases. It doesn't take nine medications to cause a problem. People can have adverse reactions (side effects and/ or allergic reactions) to even one medication. When combining two medications, a patient needs to be even more careful, as one can affect how the other interacts with the body. With each new medication that is added, the potential for a negative interaction increases.
"Keeping track of your medicines is very important. Making
sure that they are stored properly, that they have not
expired when you take them, and that prescriptions are
refilled requires time and attention. Also, taking many
different medications at the same time is difficult. It can
be hard to remember what each drug is for, when you should
take it, and how you should take it. This is especially
true for people with memory problems. However, there are
simple strategies you can use to help you manage your
medicines wisely. Keep a checklist of all the prescription
and over-the-counter medications you take. For each
medicine, mark the amount you take, the time of day you
take it, and whether it should be taken with food. ...
Review your medicine record at every visit to the doctor
and whenever your doctor prescribes new medicine. Your
doctor may have new information about your medicines that
might be important to you. Whenever possible, have your
health care provider write down advice and instructions for
taking the medication." Whether you are helping a family member keep track of their medications, or taking medications for a health issue of your own, it is important to know what each medicine is, what it does, and how it might potentially interact with any other medications. Even if you only have one prescription, there is still the possibility of a negative interaction.
"Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the drugs you
take. When your doctor prescribes a new drug, discuss all
OTC [Over the Counter] and prescription drugs, dietary
supplements, vitamins, botanicals, minerals and herbals you
take, as well as the foods you eat. Ask your pharmacist for
the package insert for each prescription drug you take. The
package insert provides more information about potential
drug interactions. Before taking a drug, ask your doctor or
pharmacist the following questions: It is generally a good idea to fill all of your prescriptions at one pharmacy. Even if you are just buying an OTC cold medication, it is always a good idea to check with a pharmacist about possible adverse drug interactions that might occur. Also keep in mind that it is not just what you take, but how you take it...
"Tips on Reducing the Risk of Adverse Drug Effects:
Questions of the Week: Please email me with any ideas or suggestions. Due to increasing amounts of SPAM sent to this account, please include "QOW" in the subject line when sending me email. I look forward to reading what you have to say. Cindy |
|||
