Drug Interactions Part 1

Modified on Thu, Mar 16, 2023 at 10:41 AM

Medication Class	Examples of Medications	Drug Interactions
Anticoagulants	Warfarin, heparin, and rivaroxaban	Increased risk of bleeding with other blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs
Antidepressants	Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)	Serotonin syndrome with other drugs that increase serotonin levels (e.g., MAOIs)
Antibiotics	Penicillin, tetracycline, fluoroquinolones	Reduced effectiveness of hormonal contraceptives
Antihypertensives	ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers	Increased risk of low blood pressure with other blood pressure-lowering drugs
Antipsychotics	Haloperidol, risperidone, and quetiapine	Increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression with other sedatives or opioids
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)	Ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin	Increased risk of stomach bleeding with other blood thinners or corticosteroids
Opioids	Oxycodone, hydrocodone, and morphine	Increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression with other sedatives or antipsychotics
Statins	Atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin	Increased risk of muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) with other drugs that affect liver function
Stimulants	Methylphenidate, amphetamine, and modafinil	Increased risk of high blood pressure and heart problems with other stimulants or MAOIs

Medication Class	Examples of Medications	Drug Interactions
Benzodiazepines	Alprazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam	Increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression with other sedatives or opioids
Corticosteroids	Prednisone, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone	Increased risk of stomach ulcers with NSAIDs
Diuretics	Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and spironolactone	Increased risk of low potassium levels with other drugs that lower potassium
Immunomodulators	Adalimumab, infliximab, and ustekinumab	Increased risk of infections with other immunosuppressive drugs
Mood stabilizers	Lithium, valproic acid, and carbamazepine	Increased risk of side effects with other drugs that affect liver function
Proton pump inhibitors	Omeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole	reduced effectiveness of clopidogrel
Sedatives/hypnotics	Zolpidem, eszopiclone, and temazepam	Increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression with other sedatives or opioids
Thyroid hormones	Levothyroxine, liothyronine	Increased risk of irregular heart rhythms with other drugs that affect heart function
Vaccines	Influenza vaccine, HPV vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine	Increased risk of immune reactions with other vaccines or immunosuppressive drugs

Medication Class	Examples of Medications	Drug Interactions
Antacids	Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate	Reduced effectiveness of certain antibiotics and other medications that require stomach acid for absorption
Anticonvulsants	Phenobarbital, gabapentin, and lamotrigine	Increased risk of side effects with other drugs that affect liver function
Antidiabetic drugs	Metformin, insulin, and sulfonylureas	Increased risk of low blood sugar with other drugs that lower blood sugar
Antihistamines	Diphenhydramine, loratadine, and cetirizine	Increased risk of sedation and respiratory depression with other sedatives or opioids
Antimuscarinics	Oxybutynin, tolterodine, and solifenacin	Increased risk of dry mouth and constipation with other drugs that have anticholinergic effects
Antivirals	Acyclovir, oseltamivir, and ritonavir	Increased risk of side effects with other drugs that affect liver function
Beta agonists	Albuterol, salmeterol, and formoterol	Increased risk of heart problems with other drugs that affect heart function
Cholinesterase inhibitors	Donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine	Increased risk of side effects with other drugs that have anticholinergic effects
Prostaglandin analogues	Latanoprost, bimatoprost	Increased risk of eye irritation with other eye drops or ointments

Medication Class	Examples of Medications	Drug Interactions
Calcium channel blockers	Amlodipine, nifedipine, and verapamil	Increased risk of low blood pressure and heart problems with other blood pressure-lowering drugs
Chemotherapy drugs	Cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin	Increased risk of side effects with other drugs that affect liver or kidney function
Digitalis glycosides	Digoxin	Increased risk of irregular heart rhythms with other drugs that affect heart function
MAOIs	Phenelzine, selegiline, and isocarboxazid	Increased risk of serotonin syndrome with other drugs that increase serotonin levels
NSAIDs (COX-2 inhibitors)	Celecoxib	Increased risk of heart attack and stroke with other blood thinners or corticosteroids
PDE-5 inhibitors	Sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil	Increased risk of low blood pressure with other blood pressure-lowering drugs
Stimulant laxatives	Bisacodyl, senna	Increased risk of diarrhea and dehydration with other drugs that have laxative effects.
Topical steroids	Hydrocortisone, betamethasone, and clobetasol	Increased risk of skin thinning and other side effects with other topical steroids or skin irritants
Vitamins/minerals	Vitamin D, iron, calcium	Reduced effectiveness of certain antibiotics and other medications that require stomach acid for absorption

Remember that this list is not exhaustive; there may be additional drug interactions not listed here. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications, supplements, and herbal products you are taking in order to prevent drug interactions.