Be aware of directions, interactions when taking medicine

One of the seemingly inevitable consequences of aging is that the number of medications we take to treat and prevent various illnesses seems to increase with every doctor’s appointment.
   
In the homes of many senior adults, a quick glance in the medicine cabinet reveals a variety of prescription and over-the-counter medications used to treat everything from headaches to high blood pressure and allergies to infections.
   
Whether prescribed by a doctor or not, all medications affect the human body in one way or another. These effects are influenced by many factors, including the patient’s age, weight and overall health, the prescribed dose of medication, other medications taken and diet and lifestyle choices.
   
Improper consideration of these factors may increase or diminish the effectiveness of medications and increase the chance of adverse drug reactions.
   
Randall Creel, a pharmacist and a deacon at First Baptist Church, Albertville, said communication between the patient, doctor and pharmacist is the key to getting the most from your medication and avoiding interaction problems.
   
“All patients need to make sure that they clearly understand their doctor’s directions for taking any medication,” Creel said. “Good communication is vital.”
   
Having a primary-care physician who knows a patient’s whole health situation is also beneficial, Creel said, as is having all prescriptions filled with the same pharmacy. A pharmacist who is familiar with all of a patient’s medications can head off potential interaction problems.
   
Although there is no substitute for careful communication with your health care providers, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration offers some general guidelines and precautions to keep in mind regarding medications.
   
Many medications are most effective when taken on an empty stomach. Antihistamines (used to treat cold and allergy symptoms), analgesics (used to treat pain and fever), antibiotics and antifungals all fall into this category. Food may slow the absorption of these medications.
   
Some pain relievers, however, are best taken with food or milk because they can irritate the lining of the stomach. Aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen and prednisone fall into this category.
   
Many older adults suffer from cardiovascular disorders such as high blood pressure, angina, irregular heartbeat and high cholesterol. 
   
Often a variety of drugs are prescribed in combination with one another to treat these conditions. These medications can affect the body’s balance of nutrients such as potassium, calcium, vitamin K and magnesium.
   
People taking these medications may need to avoid eating foods such as bananas, oranges, certain salt substitutes, broccoli, spinach, turnip greens, kale and other leafy green vegetables.
   
In addition to food choices, lifestyle choices can also affect the body’s response to medications. Caffeine often intensifies the side effects of medicines. Caffeine may also worsen common stomach ailments such as acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, sour stomach and gas. Smoking also contributes to these disorders and may make symptoms return despite treatment.
   
Patients also need to be aware of physical changes that might occur when they begin a new medication. Because reactions to medications often mimic the symptoms of other diseases, these reactions often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Physical reactions such as fatigue or weight loss may be deemed “normal” aging and ignored. Age-related conditions such as dementia are often blamed when in fact a medication is to blame.
   
If symptoms such as confusion, depression, agitation or anxiety, excessive dizziness or frequent falls begin after a person starts taking a new medication, the physician who prescribed the medication should be alerted immediately.
   
Finally, health care providers, including pharmacists, need to be aware of all medications a patient takes — prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins and herbal supplements — to reduce the risk of negative side effects.
   
Close communication helps patients enjoy the maximum benefits of their medications without the unwanted and sometimes dangerous side effects that can occur.