COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
I just had a bad experience with drug interactions last week. Without going into too much detail: I went to see my PCP for a non copd related problem and he prescribed two antibiotics. After 1-1/2 days I felt like my copd was twice as bad. After consulting 4 websites I found that the interactions between the drugs I was prescribed by my PCP and my normal copd stuff might not be good. I even found out that Symbicort and Albuterol taken together can have negative interactions. Example:
Significant - Monitor Closely
albuterol + formoterol
albuterol and formoterol both decrease serum potassium. Potential for interaction, monitor.
albuterol + formoterol
albuterol and formoterol both decrease sedation. Potential for interaction, monitor.
albuterol + formoterol
albuterol and formoterol both increase sympathetic (adrenergic) effects, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. Potential for interaction, monitor.
I can only conclude that doctors are in such a hurry to process patients that they neglect to be thorough. In the future I will not only question my doctors, I will also research it myself before taking it. Here are a few of the sites I used:
http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker
http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
http://www.webmd.com/interaction-checker/
http://www.healthline.com/druginteractions
When it comes to researching medical information on the internet, I always compare 3 or 4 sites and draw my conclusions biased on how similar the comparisons are.
BTY: After stopping the antibiotics, 1-1/2 days later I am almost back to normal.
Gary
Significant - Monitor Closely
albuterol + formoterol
albuterol and formoterol both decrease serum potassium. Potential for interaction, monitor.
albuterol + formoterol
albuterol and formoterol both decrease sedation. Potential for interaction, monitor.
albuterol + formoterol
albuterol and formoterol both increase sympathetic (adrenergic) effects, including increased blood pressure and heart rate. Potential for interaction, monitor.
I can only conclude that doctors are in such a hurry to process patients that they neglect to be thorough. In the future I will not only question my doctors, I will also research it myself before taking it. Here are a few of the sites I used:
http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker
http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
http://www.webmd.com/interaction-checker/
http://www.healthline.com/druginteractions
When it comes to researching medical information on the internet, I always compare 3 or 4 sites and draw my conclusions biased on how similar the comparisons are.
BTY: After stopping the antibiotics, 1-1/2 days later I am almost back to normal.
Gary
I found searching was a real pain because of the variety of meds we take and there is always a few that somehow interact with each other...
Peter......
It is updated or revised regularly but I have forgotten the time frame for that. (although for personal use, the newest hard copy and the internet may be enough). I just looked it up, it doesn't seem to be very expensive, Although I probably payed quadrupole because I purchased it from school. Something to look into.
*** I am not promoting ANYTHING. I have no connections with the goings on of the book, other then I have used this reference material in my learning.***
i love the book jen mentioned. they have it at walmart & kmart for around 6 bucks.
i find it is great to carry in my car when i go to dr so i can check a new medication before i go fill it at the pharmacy.
that saved my mom one time when she was in the hospital & had a bad reaction to a drug; they changed the drug which i looked up the new one & found it was the same class as the one she just had the reaction too.
that dr got an earful before he was able to leave the nursing station!
it's great to throw in your bag if you are ever hospitalized :)
i also am not promoting this, but i can't carry my computer or have internet everywhere i go to check things out so a good ol fashioned book can come in handy :)
Gary
gary, i'm so glad that your leg is better---doncha just hate insects with bad attitudes? ;)
You're right Peter, there are always a few that interact with each other.