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Summary
Most of the time, medicines make our lives better. They reduce aches and pains, fight infections, and control problems such as high blood pressure or diabetes. But medicines can also cause unwanted reactions, such as drug interactions, side effects, and allergies.
What is a drug interaction?
A drug interaction is a change in the way a drug acts in the body when taken with certain other drugs, foods, or supplements or when taken while you have certain medical conditions. Examples include:
- Two drugs, such as aspirin and blood thinners
- Drugs and food, such as statins and grapefruit
- Drugs and supplements, such as gingko and blood thinners
- Drugs and medical conditions, such as aspirin and peptic ulcers
Interactions could cause a drug to be more or less effective, cause side effects, or change the way one or both drugs work.
What are side effects?
Side effects are unwanted, usually unpleasant, effects caused by medicines. Most are mild, such as a stomachache, dry mouth, or drowsiness, and go away after you stop taking the medicine. Others can be more serious. Sometimes a drug can interact with a disease that you have and cause a side effect. For example, if you have a heart condition, certain decongestants can cause you to have a rapid heartbeat.
What are drug allergies?
Drug allergies are another type of reaction. They can range from mild to life-threatening. Skin reactions, such as hives and rashes, are the most common type. Anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, is less common.
How can I stay safe when taking medicines?
When you start a new prescription or over-the-counter medicine, make sure you understand how to take it correctly. Know which other medicines, foods, and supplements you need to avoid. Always talk to your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions about your medicines.
- Drug Allergy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Drug Interactions: What You Should Know (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
- Drug Reactions (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
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Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
(National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
- Medication/Drug Allergy (National Jewish Health)
- Medications and Drug Allergic Reactions (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
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Allergy Skin Test
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
- Anaphylaxis (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) Also in Spanish
- Anaphylaxis-Like Reactions (National Jewish Health)
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Pharmacogenetic Tests
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
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Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
(National Library of Medicine)
Also in Spanish
Learn More
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Drug Allergies: What to Look Out For
(National Institutes of Health)
Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Drug-Food Interactions (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- FDA Pharmacists Help You Use Medicines Safely (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
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Harmful Interactions: Mixing Alcohol with Medicines
(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)
Also in Spanish
- Index to Drug-Specific Information (Food and Drug Administration)
- Medication Errors: Cut Your Risk with These Tips (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Medication Interactions: Food, Supplements, and Other Drugs (American Heart Association)
- OTC Medicines: Know Your Risks, and Reduce Them (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Aspirin Allergy: What Are the Symptoms? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Examples of Dietary Supplement Interactions (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
- Grapefruit Juice and Some Drugs Don't Mix (Food and Drug Administration) Also in Spanish
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Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Penicillin Allergy (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
- Sulfa Allergy: Which Medications Should I Avoid? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Genetics
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Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
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Thiopurine S-methyltransferase deficiency: MedlinePlus Genetics
(National Library of Medicine)
Images
- Drug Eruption (VisualDX)
Videos and Tutorials
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Don't Take This with That!
(Food and Drug Administration)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Drug Hypersensitivity
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Drug Interactions
(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel study to evaluate the role of...
- Article: Icon arrays reduce concern over COVID-19 vaccine side effects: a randomized...
- Article: The Effects of Being Informed About Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Symptoms With And...
- Drug Reactions -- see more articles
Reference Desk
- MedlinePlus: Drug Information (National Library of Medicine) - Information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines and supplements Also in Spanish
Find an Expert
Children
- Drug Eruption (Pediatric) (VisualDX)
Older Adults
- Medications Older Adults Should Avoid or Use With Caution (AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
Patient Handouts
- Angioedema (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Drug allergies (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Drug-induced diarrhea (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Drug-induced tremor (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Taking multiple medicines safely (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish