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Make a list: Keep a regularly updated list of all prescriptions, OTC drugs, and supplements, including dosages.

Review: Ask your doctor to review your drugs to make sure they are all still needed and if they are safe to combine.  This can be done once or twice a year.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions: Ask your doctor and pharmacist about potential side-effects and possible interactions of medications you are taking.  Ask whether you should avoid certain foods, beverages or other products.  Don’t just start taking a new OTC or supplement without finding out more about it and possible interactions first. Ask about how the drug will work in your body.

Use one pharmacy: It’s better to use one pharmacy so all the drugs you take are on one system and the pharmacist can help to alert you of potentially, harmful interactions

Read package inserts: Many people ignore instructions on drug package inserts or misinterpret them. All OTC medications and prescription drugs have inserts containing information about active ingredients, uses, warnings, and directions. Information about possible drug interactions is also included.

What is being done to improve safety?

Electronic prescribing software is being used that can warn prescribers about interactions between one or more drugs being taken. However, there are difficulties associated with these drug interaction screening systems, one of them being that alerts may be so common they are simply overridden.

It is possible to check for drug interactions with an online interaction checker such as the one provided by Medscape.

The FDA recently launched a new user-friendly search tool designed to make it easier to access information on adverse events associated with drugs. However, this FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) data does not indicate the safety of a drug and patients still need to talk to health care providers regarding their concerns about medication.

The growing number of medications available to us can help us to live healthier, longer lives but only if they are used wisely. Patients and healthcare providers need to work together to minimize risks of drug interactions. Patients must equip themselves with as much knowledge as possible by asking questions.   Knowing more about which drugs, foods or supplements interact with the medications you’re taking may save you from serious consequences to your health.