Jan 24, 2008 7:12 pm US/Eastern
The Danger Of Mixed Meds
DORAL, Fla. (CBS4) ―
Six prescription medications were found in actor Heath Ledger's apartment. Was it a deadly mix? And what does it mean for your medicines?
In Health Ledger's apartment police reportedly found versions of anti-anxiety drugs like Ativan, Valium and Xanax; two prescription sleeping medications and anti-histamine. Though it's not clear if any of the drugs contributed to the actor's death, Pharmacist Ronny Ramirez, at Doral Family Pharmacy, says the drugs are all sedating, and that could cause problems.
Drug Interactions: What You Should Know
"There's such a thing as additive sedation, or compounded sedation by taking more than one sedative medicine," said Ramirez.
That possibility is highlighting a growing problem with prescription medicines that equals dangerous and sometimes deadly drug interactions.
Significant Drug Interactions According to government statistics 2 Billion prescriptions are written each year. About half of all Americans are taking at least one prescription medication, and one-in-six are taking three medicines or more.
With so many people, taking so many drugs, all the interactions are nearly impossible to study.
"Even over the counter and herbal medications can dangerously interact with prescription drugs. Antacids interact with prescription blood thinners, antihistamines interact with sedatives, and St. John's Wart interacts with many others, from oral contraceptives to heart drugs," said University of Miami Toxicologist Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein.
The toxicology report on Ledgers death will likely be available in a little over a week.
You can track your own medication interactions by clicking on
http://www.iguard.org/, or click on
Prescription Drug Facts,
Fast Stats or
American Heart Association for additional information.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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