Alcohol and Pills

Drug interactions are always a concern, even if you or a loved one is not using a medication in an inappropriate way. Although substance abuse can be a concerns, the potential for interactions can arise whenever you or a loved one takes more than one medication at the same time. By understanding the interactions that may be potentially dangerous, it is easier to identify risks and take measures to avoid the risks before a problem arises.

Blood Thinners and Pain Killers

Health Day states that certain pain relievers can have dangerous interactions when they are combined with blood thinning medications. A blood thinning medication is usually prescribed by a medical professional when an individual has blood clots or a risk of clotting.

When used in an appropriate manner, the medication can help reduce certain health risks that are associated with clotting in the veins, such as a heart attack or stroke. The problem is that the medication can interact in a negative way when it is combined with certain pain relievers.

According to Health Day, blood thinners should never be used with over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. The medications that are classified as NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen and Motrin. Health Day states that mixing the two medications can double bleeding risks and the risks can occur within a single dosage.

Instead of taking NSAIDs for pain relief, talk to a medical professional about pain relievers that will not increase the risk of bleeding. A doctor may prescribe a medication or make recommendations about over-the-counter options.

Alcohol and Medications

The National Institutes on Health suggest that you avoid drinking alcohol whenever you are taking medications because there is a high risk of interactions. Alcohol can cause a variety of health concerns when it is mixed with medications, but it is particularly concerning when the substance is mixed with any medication that has a potential risk of bleeding.

A common interaction that occurs when alcohol is used at the same time as other medications is the risk of internal bleeding or higher-than-average bleeding risks. Alcohol can prevent blood from clotting when it is not abused, which means that it can have a negative interaction when it is combined with NSAID medications, blood thinners or other drugs that have a bleeding risk.

According to the National Institutes on Health, alcohol can increase the effects of certain medications, so it should never be used with any drug that thins blood. In some cases, the interaction can be very dangerous to health.

Drugs with a Bleeding Risk

The Food and Drug Administration states that interactions can occur between different drugs, foods and even physical conditions that an individual may develop. It is important to look at the warning labels when considering a medication because the interactions can be severe.

Any time that the drugs have a risk of bleeding, it is possible that it may interact with other drugs to cause a severe risk. If you or a loved one is being given a new prescription, then ask about the risks or side effects that may occur. In some cases, the interaction can increase the side effects of the other medication rather than directly causing a bleeding risk, so discuss any potential concerns with a medical professional.

Before taking any new prescription, make sure that a doctor is aware of the medications that you or a loved one is taking. Ask about interactions and make sure that the substance will not cause a bleeding risk. You should also ask about risks that are associated with over-the-counter medications.

A common problem with taking more than one medication is the risk that it will interact with the other medication in a negative way. In some cases, that may mean that the risk of bleeding will increase and may even become dangerous. Fortunately, it is possible to avoid interactions with proper care and communication with a medical doctor.

Source
http://consumer.healthday.com/general-health-information-16/over-the-counter-drugs-health-news-515/blood-thinners-certain-painkillers-can-be-a-deadly-combo-686805.html, http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/Medicine/medicine.htm, http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm163354.htm

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