Gail Gilman, Family Life Consultant, M.Ed., C.F.C.S. and Professor
Emeritus, University of Minnesota
Caregivers need to be aware of the potential for drug interactions for their
care recipient. There may be times when multiple medications are needed to
manage symptoms or provide relief in some form. Interactions occur when
medications do not work in tandem with one another and instead one of the
drugs or both of them together adversely affect your loved one’s health.
Prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications should both be
considered when looking at drug interactions. Herbal remedies and food
interactions can be a source of concern as well. Drug reactions are just as
critical as interactions since they can cause problems for the patient as
well.
Food-Drug Interactions:
Certain foods can also affect medications, usually in ways that the medicine
is absorbed throughout the body. Some of these foods or additives to foods
include caffeine and vitamin K (found in broccoli). There are also
medications that interact negatively with grapefruit juice which reduces or
eliminates the effect of the medicine. There are many other foods to
consider, and the pharmacy may have this information for specific
medications.
* Food can slow the absorption of some medicines throughout the body.
* Meals high in carbohydrates can adversely affect the absorption rate
of some medications.
* Some medications need food to help it absorb for the body’s use.
Alcohol-Drug Interactions:
Although not technically a food, alcohol is often grouped with foods when
considering interactions with medications. Each year many emergency room
admissions have alcohol-drug interactions as a component of the underlying
problem. The elderly are especially at risk for this type of interaction
since they consume a large percentage of all prescription medications
consumed in the U.S. today and the risk for alcohol abuse is also
significant in the elderly population.
Alcohol intensifies the effect of some medications, such as sedatives or
pain medicines. Some medications increase the effects of alcohol causing
dizziness, drowsiness, and inability to control balance or walk properly, as
well as many others.
Whether it is alcohol or other foods, be certain to check with your doctor
or pharmacist to determine whether there is any concern with foods that are
used in the home. Keep track of any adverse reactions and check with your
doctor immediately if there is cause for alarm.
Drug Reactions:
While there are concerns about foods or medicines interfering with one
another, there is also the question of how a person will react to a
medication. Side effects are possible with any medication on the market
since there are many different types of people and diseases. It is
important to minimize side effects while treating the underlying condition.
Keep a diary at home of any reaction that seems unusual. Some of the items
to include in the diary include:
* When was the medication given?
* How long did it take to notice the reaction?
* What is the nature of the reaction?
* Does it seem to get better or worse as time goes by?
* Is this a known side effect of the medication?
* How much discomfort does it cause in the patient?
Your physician may suggest other areas to observe.
By keeping a comprehensive diary of reactions, you can determine whether
this is a true drug reaction or a symptom of the underlying disease, or even
a new one that may be developing. Your doctor will want to see the diary, at
least in part, when trying to figure out how best to treat the reaction.
As caregivers, giving medication can be one of the scariest
responsibilities. Being diligent and staying informed is perhaps one of the
best remedies. Be certain that you maintain open lines of communication
with both the doctor and the pharmacy in order to better provide care for
your loved one.