Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Healthwatch, we're talking about holiday recovery efforts. If your new year's resolutions include getting in shape, beware of taking medications to ease your aching muscles.
Doctors at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas say mixing an over-the-counter drug with daily medication can be dangerous. The two drugs could cancel each other out, intensify the effects they have on your body or cause dangerous side effects.
It's important to list everything you're taking when your doctor asks - whether it's an over-the-counter drug, home remedy, vitamins or herbal supplements, your doctor needs to know. Also ask your doctor if there are any drugs you should avoid. For instance, if you're taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, you shouldn't take over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen.
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Jan. 2005
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