Drug interaction is dangerous possibility

By KENT S. COLLINS

Question: My 77-year-old sister has too many doctors and too many medicines. She can't keep track of what doctor treats what ailment and what pill fixes what pain. I wonder if she needs to quit them all and start over. --- LITTLE SISTER, AGE 73

ANSWER: Quitting medicine is for a doctor to decide. Escort your sister to the best of those doctors --- the primary-care physician or the one she likes best --- and take a bag full of all her pills and potions. Let the physician make sense of her condition and her alleged remedies.

It is possible that too many doctors and too many prescriptions have spoiled your sister's soup. The problem that might plague her is known as drug interaction --- medicines prescribed by one doctor aren't revealed or explained to the next, who then prescribes additional drugs that don't mix right with the first. The simplest remedy is to carry that bag full of medicine to every appointment with every doctor.

Registered pharmacists also can help track medicines that don't mix.

The Council of Family Health in Washington, D.C., notes the holiday season may aggravate the problem.

"Consumers need to be aware this holiday season that drug interactions can be caused by medicines, certain pre-existing medical conditions or even those festive foods and drinks around the holiday table," said CFH President Robert Donovan.

The CFH, the National Consumers League and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have co-authored an updated guide titled, "Drug Interaction: What you Should Know." (Single copies are available by writing to the Federal Consumer Information Center, Item 600G, Pueblo, Colo. 81009.) The guide explains and warns against mixing sedatives with some allergy medicines, alcohol and even some dietary supplements.

The guide lists some of the precautions necessary if your sister is taking acid reducers, antacids, bronchodilators, laxatives, sleep aids, pain relievers and other medicines.

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