Drug interactions?

[dianahoohar]

My friend is taking penicillin for a chest infection and she happened to say that if I had a similar infection (because I take mediation to lower my blood pressure) what would the doctor prescribe for me? I take 32mg of Amias . Is this medication not compatible with antibiotics - or is she wrong? I can't find anything on the internet to suggest there is a problem. Perhaps Sqad could clear this one up for me?

Also - on reading the leaflet just now, it states that non-steroidal anti-inflammatories may interact with Amias. Oops - I took some Ibuprofen this morning!

[Sqad]

This "drug interaction" is grossly overplayed in my opinion and the medical profession has to take much of the blame.

Because information on the internet and in instructions in the box, it doesn't mean that the drugs WILL interact in a deleterious manner.

Blood pressure tablets and antibiotics are compatible in 99.9% of cases.

We are all getting wound up in this "drug interaction frenzy"

[dianahoohar]

Thanks for the quick response. I will tell my friend that she is 99.9% wrong! :)

[ladyalex]

Pharmacists are usually pretty quick to spot potentially dangerous drug interactions, so the chances are anything dangerous wouldn't be dispensed....at least not without a phone call to the Dr to check.

[dianahoohar]

A pharmacist told me I shouldn't take Sudafed. Apparently this unassuming decongestant raises blood pressure. You live and learn....hopefully!

[Sqad]

dianna....that just highlights the hysteria....there is no reason for not taking sudafed whilst taking candersarten.

[dianahoohar]

I generally do not go along with any 'hype' or hysteria, but I must admit I did take notice of what the pharmacist told me. I believe you are (or were) a GP so if you say it's ok to take it then that's good enough for me.