Antibiotics lower the effects of your medications?

@sallysworld73 Hello - a change in effectiveness can be caused by many medications, not just antibiotics. It can happen with over the counter medications and supplements, and even some foods.

Here is where it can get tricky, especially if you are getting medications from sources that do not all use the same patient portal, and/or using more than one pharmacy.

A good pharmacist will use the "Interaction Checker" for everything they have on record that you are taking, and counsel you when you pick up the medication. And if there are any RED Flags that come up, they should contact the prescribing doctor.

The full patient inserts that dispensed with your medications also contain this information - but when you have an infection and are feeling lousy, who reads all that fine print?

So what can a patient do?
1. Carry a COMPLETE list of all current medications and supplements with you at all times, and be sure to list if you are self-medicating with THC or anything else. (Doctors and pharmacists won't tell on you.)
2. Include a list of all medications you know that you cannot take, and why (bad reaction, rapid heartbeat, etc.)
3. Ask for interactions to be checked every time something new is prescribed.
4. If you are on long-term meds like maintenance chemo, antidepressants, etc ask that prescribing doctor to give you a list of "safe" antibiotics. If you have diabetes, kidney disease, a heart condition or other chronic conditions, ask those doctors for a list of "safe" antibiotics as well.

When we have a complex medical history, we are called on to be our own best advocate - there usually isn't anyone else who knows the whole picture.

Are you able to get all of your medications from just one pharmacy?

I get all my medication from one pharmacy. I take 23 separate prescriptions and most of them turn red and light up the pharmacist screen because a lot of them interact with each other…..but they only figured that out when they switched over to the new system about 2-3 years ago but I had already been on the medication for atleast 3-4 years and getting the drs where I was located to change medication was not an option.

I go to the drs with what I call my resume. It’s 3 pages long. Has a list of my medications, conditions, allergies, and any surges i have had. I have to do it this way because it’s to much to write for one 😂 and 2 i can’t remember!!