Check for Drug Interactions with Our Online Tool
Our online tool makes it easy to check for drug interactions. Simply enter a drug name and select the best match from the list of suggestions. Repeat the process to add multiple drugs. Check for drug interactions and save your list for future reference.
Understanding Drug Interactions
Anytime you take more than one medication, or even mix it with certain foods, beverages, or over-the-counter medicines, you are at risk of a drug interaction. Most drug interactions are not serious, but because a few are, it is important to understand the possible outcome before you take your medications.
Types of Drug Interactions
Drug-drug interactions: These are the most common type of drug interaction. The more medications you take, the greater the chance for your drug interacting with another medicine. Drug-drug interactions can decrease how well your medications work, may increase minor or serious unexpected side effects, or even increase the blood level and possible toxicity of a certain drug.
Drug-food/beverage interactions: Certain medications can interact with foods or beverages. For example, grapefruit juice can lower the levels of enzymes in your liver responsible for breaking down medications. Blood levels of an interacting drug may rise, leading to toxicity.
Drug-disease interactions: Your existing medical condition can affect the way a drug works. For example, over-the-counter oral decongestants may increase blood pressure and can be dangerous if you have high blood pressure.
How Drug Interactions Occur
Drug interactions can occur in several ways:
A pharmacodynamic interaction: This occurs when two drugs given together act at the same or similar receptor site and lead to a greater (additive or synergistic) effect or a decreased (antagonist) effect.
A pharmacokinetic interaction: This may occur if one drug affects another drug’s absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion.
Why Checking for Interactions is Important
Checking for a drug interaction before it occurs can drastically lower your chance of a problem. Drug interactions can affect how your medication works by changing levels of the drug in your blood, put you at risk for side effects and toxicity, and worsen a medical condition you may already have.
How to Check for Drug Interactions
Communication with your healthcare provider is key in helping to prevent drug interactions. Keep an up-to-date list of your medications, over-the-counter products, vitamins, herbals, and medical conditions. Share this list with your doctor, pharmacist, and nurse at each visit so that they can also screen for drug interactions.
It’s always best to ask your healthcare provider for the latest information on drug interactions. However, you can also use our online drug interaction checker to learn more about possible drug interactions, too.
What to Do If You Find a Drug Interaction
If you discover you are at risk for a possible drug interaction, call your doctor or pharmacist as quickly as you can. They will understand the significance of the interaction, and will be able to recommend the next best steps you should take. Do not stop your medication without talking to your healthcare provider first.
