jasonmp321
Bluelighter
I know many of you folks probably have already encountered what I am about to show you, but in the interests of enlightenment and harm reduction, I am going to give a brief description and links to my top three Drug Interaction checker sites.
These websites have saved me on more than one occasion, and even if there is no serious interaction, it's nice to know any minor reactions which may occur, even with food.
So, first and foremost and my most used website:
#1) http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php - drugs.com is an awesome website, and this is an awesome tool, it has many drugs on it that others don't, such as heroin and cannabis. It also has features where you can select to show only major interactions, or major, moderate, and mild, and also food interactions.
Finally, and this is a unique feature of this site, it has a an option to show the interactions in "consumer" or "professional" terms.
For example the interaction between Methadone and Cimetidine, in "consumer" terms:
Cimetidine may increase the blood levels and effects of methadone. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if you experience increased side effects such as excessive drowsiness, tiredness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, vomiting, and shallow or difficult breathing. High blood levels of methadone can also occasionally cause an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or fast or pounding heartbeats. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Now look at professional terms:
MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of methadone, which is metabolized primarily by CYP450 3A4, 2B6, 2C19, and to a lesser extent by CYP450 2C9 and 2D6. The possibility of prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of methadone, such as central nervous system and respiratory depression, should be considered. In addition, high dosages (particularly above 200 mg/day) and serum levels of methadone have been associated with QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia.
MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if methadone is prescribed in combination with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Pharmacologic response to methadone should be closely monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation or discontinuation of the CYP450 3A4 inhibitor in patients who are stabilized on their methadone regimen. Patients should be advised to report excessive drowsiness, nausea, or asthenia to their physician, and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope. ECG monitoring should be considered for patients on methadone with heart or liver disease; conduction abnormalities; electrolyte disturbances (i.e., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia); concomitant use of drugs that may cause QT prolongation or electrolyte loss; concomitant use of CYP450 3A4 inhibitors; or use of methadone at dosages greater than 200 mg daily.
#2) http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker This is Medscapes interaction checker, it is solid and very reliable.
#3) http://umm.edu/health/medical/drug-interaction-tool This one I just discovered recently myself, it is through the University of Maryland and seems pretty good.
In closing, please folks, always check the drugs you are taking, especially when mixing. I am sure man people have passed from this life because the did not utilize tools such as these. I was almost one of them.
Good luck all and God bless
These websites have saved me on more than one occasion, and even if there is no serious interaction, it's nice to know any minor reactions which may occur, even with food.
So, first and foremost and my most used website:
#1) http://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.php - drugs.com is an awesome website, and this is an awesome tool, it has many drugs on it that others don't, such as heroin and cannabis. It also has features where you can select to show only major interactions, or major, moderate, and mild, and also food interactions.
Finally, and this is a unique feature of this site, it has a an option to show the interactions in "consumer" or "professional" terms.
For example the interaction between Methadone and Cimetidine, in "consumer" terms:
Cimetidine may increase the blood levels and effects of methadone. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications. Contact your doctor if you experience increased side effects such as excessive drowsiness, tiredness, confusion, disorientation, nausea, vomiting, and shallow or difficult breathing. High blood levels of methadone can also occasionally cause an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or fast or pounding heartbeats. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Now look at professional terms:
MONITOR: Coadministration with inhibitors of CYP450 3A4 may increase the plasma concentrations of methadone, which is metabolized primarily by CYP450 3A4, 2B6, 2C19, and to a lesser extent by CYP450 2C9 and 2D6. The possibility of prolonged and/or increased pharmacologic effects of methadone, such as central nervous system and respiratory depression, should be considered. In addition, high dosages (particularly above 200 mg/day) and serum levels of methadone have been associated with QT interval prolongation and torsade de pointes arrhythmia.
MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if methadone is prescribed in combination with CYP450 3A4 inhibitors. Pharmacologic response to methadone should be closely monitored and the dosage adjusted accordingly, particularly following initiation or discontinuation of the CYP450 3A4 inhibitor in patients who are stabilized on their methadone regimen. Patients should be advised to report excessive drowsiness, nausea, or asthenia to their physician, and to seek immediate medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope. ECG monitoring should be considered for patients on methadone with heart or liver disease; conduction abnormalities; electrolyte disturbances (i.e., hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia); concomitant use of drugs that may cause QT prolongation or electrolyte loss; concomitant use of CYP450 3A4 inhibitors; or use of methadone at dosages greater than 200 mg daily.
#2) http://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker This is Medscapes interaction checker, it is solid and very reliable.
#3) http://umm.edu/health/medical/drug-interaction-tool This one I just discovered recently myself, it is through the University of Maryland and seems pretty good.
In closing, please folks, always check the drugs you are taking, especially when mixing. I am sure man people have passed from this life because the did not utilize tools such as these. I was almost one of them.
Good luck all and God bless
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