Adverse reactions to medications

I have had to help my sister get medical care to deal with adverse reactions to medications twice in less than a month.

The more medications a person is on, the more likely an adverse reaction involving the interactions will occur. There are several steps we can all take to make sure we can deal with them appropriately.

* REMEMBER, YOUR DOCTOR IS NOT GOD!

Never allow a doctor to make more than one change in medications at a time.

* YOUR PHARMACIST IS YOUR FRIEND!

Always ask the pharmacist about reactions to watch for and have the pharmacist check for warnings about interactions. Try to only use one pharmacy if you can. If you have to use more than one, try to keep the number as low as possible.

* KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

Carefully read the prescribing information that comes with the new medication. Keep a list of all medications you are currently taking. Keep that list up to date. Make notes of adverse reactions for future reference.

* YOU ARE THE EXPERT ON YOUR BODY

Be aware of what is happening whenever you do make a medication change. If something is happening after a medication change, and that lessens or goes away when you undo the change, then it is a reaction to the drug, whether or not it is listed on the prescribing medication. If a doctor tells you otherwise, you need to assert to that doctor that he or she is wrong, remind him or her that he or she is not god, and that he or she is not the expert on your body, your are. The doctor knows medicine, the doctor does not know you as well as you know you.

If you let any doctor tell you otherwise, you place your own life at risk.