In my Why Read Medication Labels article, I told you about the prevalent misuse of over the counter (OTC) medications. Here I spell out some of the most common interactions and possible side effects from OTC drugs.
The National Council on Patient Information and Education reports that only 20% of consumers check the label of their OTC medication for side effects. You should know about the side effects of the medications you’re taking for many reasons.
One reasons is that some side effects can be very serious. Another is that some drugs have bad interactions with other substances such as other drugs, especially alcohol, but also some common foods. You need to be aware of these things to avoid poisoning yourself.
Also, some side-effects can manifest after chronic use. You want to be able to identify the source of your problems correctly so that you don’t needlessly start medicating for a problem that is caused by medication.
Here below is the breakdown of over the counter drug types, and their side effects. Most common side effects are listed first. I’ve categorized the listings by drug type, for example: pain killers, a.k.a. analgesics. I’ve also listed what to not combine them with. The side effects I list here are for the active ingredient, not specific to any particular brand. Different brands have the same or similar active ingredients. Also, generic brands having the active ingredient have the same side effects.
Type of drug: Pain Killers, for fever. Examples : Tylenol. Active Ingredient : Acetaminophen.
Possible Side effects: taking more than max dosage even for a few days can lead to liver failure or death.
Bad mixes: alcohol which could lead to liver failure or death.
Type of drug: NSAIDs – Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Examples : Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Naproxen (Aleve)
Possible Side effects: upset stomach, abdominal pain, diarrhea, ulcers, bleeding, and heart attack or stroke in chronic use.
Bad mixes: other NSAIDs, for example Ibuprofen can interfere with aspirin taken for clot prevention; other bad mixes: blood thinners, steroids, or alcohol can lead to excess bleeding; exercise caution in using especially if you have ever had an ulcer, heart attack, stroke, bleeding, KD disease, high blood pressuer, or finally, history of heart disease.
Type of drug: Cough Suppressants. Examples : Robitussin, Vicks 44. Active Ingredient : Dextromethorphan
Possible Side effects: drowsiness, agitation and muscle spasms, hallucinations, rapid heart beat, loss of coordination.
Bad mixes: alcohol (intensity s.e.), MAO inhibitors (spike blood pressure), caffeine, diet pills, stimulant (ADHD drugs) : palpitations, dizziness
Type of drug: Decongestants. Examples : Sudafed. Active Ingredient : Pseudophedrine, Phenylephrine
Possible Side effects: restlessness, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, dizziness, arrhythmias and shortness of breath.
Bad mixes: caffeine, diet pills, stimulants such as ADHD drugs, MAO inhibitors. Children under 6 shouldn’t take these and under 12, should be cautious.
Type of drug: Antacids. Examples : Mylanta, Maalox (Aluminum Hydroxide and Magnesium Hydroxide), Tums (Calcium Carbonate)
Possible Side effects: calcium and aluminum might cause constipation, magnesium can cause diarrhea. Some are extremely high in sodium.
Bad mixes: food! (see above), antacids block the absorption of other drugs, so do not take with other drugs within 2 hours. Also watch out if you have a history of kidney disease, kidney stones, or high blood pressure.
Type of drug: Antihistamines type 1. Examples : Dramamine, Banadryl allergy, Nytol, Sominex, Alka-seltzer plus night time cold formula, Vicks, Nyquil cold & flu, childrens Dimetapp cold & allergy
Possible Side effects: dryness in the mouth, throat, and or vagina! Headaches, chest congestion, drowsiness, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Also vision and urination problems.
Bad mixes: alcohol, sleeping pills, sedative, high-blood pressure meds. Dont drive while using. Can also exacerbate glaucoma and enlarged prostate. Children under 6 shouldn’t take these and under 12, should be cautious.
Type of drug: Antihistamines type 2. Examples : Claritin (Loratadine), Zyrtec(Cetirizine)
Possible Side effects: supposed to be non-drowsy but some people still get drowsy. Also at least one of the side-effects of Antihistamine type 1 drugs (above)
Bad mixes: apple, grapefruit, or orange juice can reduce effectiveness. Antifungal drugs (ketoconazole) and antibiotics (erythromycin) can worsen side effects. Watch out if older than 60, or have liver or kidney problems.
