medication review Archives

Drugs and Alcohol: A Bad Combination

03/01/2024

It’s been a long day, you’re ready to go home and have some drinks to unwind when you remember you’re taking an antibiotic. The bottle says, “Do not consume alcohol while taking this medication,” but a few drinks should be fine, right? Wrong – here’s why!

Why is combining drugs and alcohol a bad idea?

It may come as a surprise for some, but drinking alcohol while taking medications (prescription or over-the-counter) can lead to potentially severe side effects and even death. We often forget that alcohol is in fact a drug, and if mixed with other drugs can cause unwanted side effects such as nausea, headaches, fainting, loss of coordination, and more. ¹

Not only can mixing drugs and alcohol have a negative effect on your body, but it can also interfere with how the medication works. Alcohol can cause your medication to have several different effects: ²

The medication may become less effective.
The concentration of the medication may reach toxic levels.
Side effects may worsen.
New symptoms may arise.

Talk to your pharmacist about the potential side effects of mixing your medication with alcohol, even if the label does not come with a warning. It’s important to be honest with your pharmacist about your drinking habits so they can accurately judge any risks.

What can happen if I mix drugs and alcohol?

Mixing alcohol with prescription or over-the-counter medications can have serious side effects. Some common symptoms include: ²

Blood pressure changes
Mood and behavior changes
Dizziness and fainting
Nausea and vomiting
Headaches
Seizures

More serious complications caused by mixing alcohol with medications are liver damage, heart problems, internal bleeding, and could lead to an overdose or alcohol poisoning. ³

Drug and alcohol interactions may depend on the type of medicine, the amount of alcohol, and your genetics, sex, and overall health. ³ Often, older adults, women, and children and teens may experience more severe side effects of alcohol and drug interactions for a number of reasons. ⁴

Older Adults

Alcohol does not break down as quickly in older adults and their body’s water to fat ratio is decreased. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 78% of surveyed adults over the age of 65 were current drinkers and also taking a medication that could interact with alcohol. ⁴ This can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and a greater risk of falls and injury.

Women

Women may be at greater risk of side effects from mixing alcohol and drugs than men due to having a lower percent of body water compared to body fat. This causes alcohol to break down slower, resulting in a higher blood alcohol level after drinking the same amount as a man. This increases the risk of experiencing negative side effects.

Children and Teens

While seemingly at a lower risk for drug interactions with alcohol, it is still a concern. Alcohol abuse in youth can cause life-long complications and can especially be a risk when mixing alcohol with ADHD medications.

Another concern is how the younger population is consuming their alcohol. Energy drinks are a common alcohol mixer among college students, which can lower the feeling of intoxication resulting in excessive drinking and alcohol-related injuries. ⁴

What medications can interact with alcohol?

Many medications, including over-the-counter products, can vary in severity of symptoms. The most common medicines that react with alcohol include: ³

Opioids
Antidepressants
Antipsychotic medicines
Sleeping aids
Cold and flu medicines
Antibiotics
Pain medicines

Sedative medications, including those that help you sleep, can cause your breathing to slow or stop when consumed with alcohol. This can be extremely dangerous and is a common cause of death. ² Certain medications including painkillers, allergy relief, and cold medicine may contain multiple ingredients that can react with alcohol. ¹ Some medications can even contain up to 10 percent alcohol, such as cough syrup and laxatives.

If you are unsure of your medication ingredients, talk to your pharmacist to get a better understanding of what your medicine contains. Most over-the-counter medications will have sections on the label listing various things such as active ingredients, purpose, uses, warnings, directions, other information, inactive ingredients, and can even include a phone number to call with questions. ⁵

Below are symptoms or disorders that are commonly remedied with medication (both prescription and over-the-counter) and the possible drug alcohol interaction side effects. ¹

Allergies, cold and flu. Common side effects of consuming alcohol while taking these medications may include drowsiness, dizziness, and increased risk for overdose. Many cold medications already have alcohol in them, so combining that with drinking alcohol can induce severe drowsiness.
Anxiety. Taking anxiety medications may heighten your anxiety symptoms if mixed with alcohol. Some side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, unusual behavior, memory problems, and impaired motor control.
ADHD. When mixed with alcohol, many ADHD medications can have contradicting side effects including impaired concentration, increased risk for heart problems, liver damage, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Heartburn. Rapid heartbeat, increased alcohol effect, and sudden changes in blood pressure are just a few side effects of consuming alcohol while taking heartburn medications.
High cholesterol. A few side effects of mixing alcohol with high cholesterol medications include liver damage, increased flushing and itching, and increased stomach bleeding.
Infection. Alcohol should not be consumed if you are taking an antibiotic. Not only can the alcohol reduce the effect of the antibiotic, but it can also result in a fast heartbeat, stomach pain, vomiting, liver damage, and more.
Pain. Common painkillers, when mixed with alcohol, may result in upset stomach, ulcers, liver damage, and rapid heartbeat.
Sleep issues. Mixing alcohol with sleeping aids can result in increased drowsiness, slow breathing, impaired motor control, memory problems, and much more.

If you are currently taking any type of medication, even an over-the-counter cold medicine, talk with your pharmacist about the potential interactions your medication may have with alcohol. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, please call the SAMHSA National Helpline for free, confidential help at 1-800-662-4357, or visit samhsa.gov for more information on how to get help.

Sources:

¹ https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/harmful-interactions-mixing-alcohol-with-medicines

² https://www.verywellmind.com/mixing-alcohol-and-medication-harmful-interactions-67888

³ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines-and-alcohol

⁴ https://www.drugs.com/article/medications-and-alcohol.html

⁵ https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-drugs/drug-interactions-what-you-should-know

Myths About Medications

08/01/2023

With so many available resources online now, misconceptions about medications are becoming more and more common. But taking medication can be an important part of your overall health, and having the correct information is extremely important to keep you safe and healthy. Here are some of the top myths about medications, and the facts that debunk these myths:

Myth: You feel better, so you don’t need to take your medication.

Fact: Your doctor prescribed you medication because you need it. If you stop taking your medication early, it can increase your chance of relapsing into the illness that medication is prescribed for. Especially with antibiotics, it’s tempting to stop taking them as soon as you feel better. But you need to take the full treatment to kill the disease-causing bacteria. If you stop taking it, it can also promote the spread of the antibiotic-resistant properties among harmful bacteria.¹

If you are taking a maintenance medication, it’s very important you talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you change your medication regimen.

Myth: Natural supplements are always a safe choice.

Fact: “Natural” doesn’t always mean “safe.” Since the standards for supplements are not as strict, the amount of each ingredient can vary between products. If you’re interested in natural supplements, it’s important you still talk to your doctor or pharmacist about which ones are safe for you to use. Your pharmacist will be able to look at all your medications and be able to recommend which supplements will best fit into your regimen.²

Myth: If you’re really hurting, you can ignore the recommended dosage and take more pills.

Fact: If you take more than the recommended dosage on the label, it can hurt you. Pharmaceutical companies and doctors work hard to develop the appropriate dose for every person. Taking your pills in any other way than the recommended amount can do more harm than good.

Taking more pills or more frequently than the label states can rob you of the medicine’s benefits and increase the risk of serious side effects. Also, it is very possible that an overdose can occur which can have dangerous or even life-threatening consequences. It’s important to read every label or talk to your pharmacist to be clear on your recommended dosage.²

Myth: Antibiotics are always the answer.

Fact: Antibiotics can only treat bacterial infections such as strep throat, not infections caused by viruses such as acute respiratory infections. Taking antibiotics unnecessarily can cause antibiotics to lose its strength and ability to effectively treat bacterial infections going forward.³

Myth: Your healthcare providers don’t need to know what vitamins you take.

Fact: Health care professionals should know every medication, prescribed or OTC, you take regularly so that they can warn you about potential interactions.

Examples of vitamins with the potential for serious interactions include vitamins A and E, which increase the effects of anticoagulation and should therefore be closely monitored when taking warfarin, and magnesium, which can decrease antibiotic absorption and should be dosed separately by 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking an antibiotic.³

Myth: It doesn’t matter how you ingest the pill.

Fact: Taking pills with any other liquid than water – particularly alcohol – can interfere with the manner in which the body absorbs the medication. Also, some medications must be taken with food, which others may have strange or dangerous interactions with certain foods.³ Talk with your pharmacist on drug administration instructions for proper absorption.

Myth: It doesn’t matter where you store your medications.

Fact: Some medications lose their effectiveness when they are exposed to hot, humid environments. Medications are almost always best stored in a dry place away from heat, direct light, or any source of dampness. If children are around, keep medicine containers out of reach. Some medicines have bright colors and shapes that children can mistake as candy.

Managing medications can be complicated, especially if you are taking several. It’s important to understand your regimen, talk thoroughly with your pharmacist, keep up to date on refills, and take medications as prescribed. If you are unsure about any of the medications you are currently taking or plan on taking, it’s always a good idea to talk to your provider or pharmacist about it first. With proper administration and storage, your medication regimen should help you feel your very best!

Sources

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/help-for-managing-multiple-medications

If You Are 65 or Older, You Will Want to Read this ASAP

10/05/2022

Are you 65 years of age or older and looking for a new or updated Medicare Part D plan? Are you unsure of where to start or how to review your plan? Maybe you’ve heard of a Part D plan but are unsure of what it is? A Medicare Part D plan covers prescription drug costs, both generic and brand name, for those 65 years or older. These plans can — and should —be reviewed each year during the open enrollment period, which takes place every year from October 15 to December 7. We’ve put together some basic information here, and our team at your local pharmacy can answer any questions you may have about choosing the perfect plan to fit your needs.

woman at laptop looking annoyed at pill bottles

What is Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment is a set time frame, in this instance for Medicare Part D, where you can join, switch, or drop a plan depending on your eligibility. The Open Enrollment period for Medicare Part D beings on October 15 and lasts until December 7 each year. During this time, you can join, switch, or drop a plan, with coverage beginning on January 1 of the following year. You can make as many changes as you would like during those weeks, but it’s recommended that you make changes as few times as needed to avoid any enrollment problems.

When am I Eligible for Medicare Part D?

Anyone who is 65 or older is eligible for Medicare Part D, but Open Enrollment is only October 15 – December 7 to go into effect in the new year…so what happens when you turn 65? There is a different process for newly eligible, called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). That period begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after you turn 65 or begins 3 months before your 25th month of getting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) disability benefits and 3 months after that time. That timeframe may or may not overlap with the Open Enrollment period.

In order to enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan, you must already have Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B as well as you must be a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States.

What Can I do During Open Enrollment Period?

During the open enrollment period of October 15 – December 7, you can do any of the following:

Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage
Enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you didn’t enroll when you first became eligible for Medicare
Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan
Drop Medicare drug coverage completely.

If you have any questions about how to do any of these options, stop into your local pharmacy or give us a call to set up a review time that works best for you. During this time, the pharmacist will answer any questions you have pertaining to Medicare Part D Open Enrollment and your specific drug and health needs.

Chart from https://blog.medicaresolutions.com/open-enrollment-checklist

Four Signs You May Want to Change Your Medicare Part D Plan

Your health changes overtime, and that can mean that your medication needs change, too. Even if everything on your side stays the same, that doesn’t mean that the plan you are on has stayed the same. Each year, it’s a good idea to review your plan and see if it still fits your needs. Here are some signs to be aware of when considering changing your plan.

Plan formularies change from year to year.

Part D plans have formulary to help place various medications into different tiers. The lower the tier, the lower the copay — and on the flip side, the higher the tier, the higher the out-of-pocket costs. These tiers can change from year to year, so it’s important to review what medications you are taking and what tiers they fall under. Your pharmacist can help you review your medications and figure out what tier you are at with each of them.

Your medication needs have changed.

If you are taking new medications, there’s a chance that your current plan offers great coverage. But there’s also a chance that a different plan you can choose during Open Enrollment overs a better deal on your new medication regimen.

Pharmacy networks change each year.

Part D plans have in-network and out-of-network pharmacies, and that list often changes each year. Even if you choose an out-of-network plan for your pharmacy, the team may be able to find cash savings for you without forcing you to switch pharmacies. That isn’t always the case, so it’s important to review your medications and plan with your pharmacy and see what the cost would end up being.

You’re paying a high premium for a plan you don’t use often.

Plans are there to help cover costs, both expected and unexpected, and many people try to plan for the unexpected. But realistically, you may not actually need a plan that you picked the previous year. If you are on a Part D plan that has more coverage than you ended up needing, that means you’re paying a higher premium without the cost savings you may have expected.

Once you have reviewed your current plan and see that you may want to make changes based on those four tips, you will want to search for a plan that fits whatever your needs may be.

Who Can Help Review my Medicare Plan?

Your pharmacy can help! The people who fill your medications each month and discuss your health concerns with you regularly are also the people who can help you review your Medicare Part D plans. Whether you are ready to make a change to a new plan, have lots of questions about your options, or just want another person to look at what you’ve selected, our team is here for you.

We know your medications, we know the plans, and we know you. We can help you review options and choose a plan that best meets your health needs. We can provide in-depth reviews of the current plan you have as well as other plan options that you could consider. Even if you are not wanting to change your current plan, it is always a good idea to review the medications you are currently taking to ensure you are keeping the best plan possible for your needs.

Sources:

https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-plan

https://www.medicareresources.org/medicare-open-enrollment/#

https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-prescription-drug-coverage-part-d/medicare-part-d-enrollment/changing-part-d-plans

https://www.healthmarkets.com/resources/medicare/when-is-the-medicare-part-d-open-enrollment/

https://www.medicareresources.org/medicare-benefits/four-signs-you-need-a-new-medicare-part-d-plan/#formulary

https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/medicare/what-is-medicare

https://www.medicareresources.org/states/

https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/how-to-get-prescription-drug-coverage

https://blog.medicaresolutions.com/open-enrollment-checklist/