Medication Management
 Medicines can treat and cure many health problems. However, they must be taken properly to ensure safety and effectiveness. Medicines have powerful ingredients that interact with the human body in different ways. Diet and lifestyle can sometimes have a significant impact on a drug's ability to work in the body. Certain foods, beverages, alcohol, caffeine and even cigarettes can interact with medicines. This may make medicines less effective or may cause dangerous side effects or other problems.
Times for taking medications are important. Storage of medications and managing missed doses are also important. Your nurse will provide this information to you.
When you take medicine, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions carefully to obtain the maximum benefit with the least risk.
Make sure your doctor, pharmacist and home health professionals know about every drug you are taking, including non prescription drugs and any dietary supplements such as vitamins, minerals and herbs. If you have any problems or experience side effects related to medication, call your health care provider right away.
Herbs and natural substances are "REAL" medicines and can carry similar risks.
| Conditions |
Medications |
Use Caution With |
| Blood Thinners and Anti-Inflammatory |
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Aspirin (NSAIDS)
Plavix
Coumadin |
Alfafa Cinchona Bark (Quinine)
Clove Oil Garlic
Ginko Ginger Ginseng
Fever few |
| Miscellaneous |
Decongestants Dexedrine
Beta 2-atagonists
Caffeine/throphyline |
Guarana Kola (Gotu Kola)
Ma Huang St. John's Wort
Yohimbe |
| |
Alcohol Benzodiazepines
Opiods Antihistamines |
Hawthorn Skullcap
Kava Kava Valerian |
| |
Antidepressants
Tricyclics MAO inhibitors
SSRIs |
Ginseng Ma Huang
Passion Flower St. John's Wort
Yohimbe |
| Diabetes |
|
These may affect control of blood sugar:
Garlic, Ginger, Ginseng, Hawthorn, Ma Huang, Nettle |
| High Blood Pressure |
|
Devil's Claw Ginseng
Goldenseal Hawthorn
Licorice Ma Huang
Squill Yohimbe |
| Depression |
|
Valerian Kava Kava |
Food & Drug Interactions
| Common Medications |
Food and Drug Interactions |
|
Aceis
Lotensin Pinivil Zestril
Capoten Cozaar
Vasotec Accupril
Monopril Altace
|
Monitor potassium (K+); avoid salt substitute; may need to limit high K+ |
| INH (Isoniarid) |
Avoid histamine. Special menu required. No tuna, aged cheese, tomatoes. |
| Lithium |
Low-sodium diet indicated. Notify Dietary. Encourage fluids. |
MAOIs - Antidepressants
Marplan Nardil
Eutonyl Parnate |
Avoid foods with tyramine and dopamine. Avoid aged, fermented food. Special menu required. Caffeine may also cause headache and hypertension in some patients. |
| Flagyl |
Avoid alcohol-containing drinks and medicine. |
| Dilantin |
Take on empty stomach. Hold tube feeding one (1) hour before and after dose. |
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Diuretics Aldactone Dyazide
Maxide Midamore |
Monitor K+ |
| Tetracycline Theophylline |
Do not take with meals. (This applies primarily to sustained release dosage forms, not immediate release and/or oral liquid preparations.) Caffeinated beverages may increase side effects. |
|