Reduce adverse drug effects with these tips

Do you regularly use over-the-counter medication to treat your headaches and allergy problems?

If so, be mindful of the potential adverse side effects, and food-drug or drug-drug interactions.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends knowing the ingredients found in prescription drugs if you're taking them along with over-the-counter drugs, including vitamins and antacids.

Also be aware that some foods that you eat with over-the-counter or prescription drugs can change the way that the medicine works in your body.

AAFP offers these tips to reduce the risk of adverse drug effects:

• Make sure you know what ingredients the product contains and understand any warnings or possible adverse effects.
• If you don't understand something, ask your doctor or pharmacist about it.
• If you take any prescription drugs, ask your doctor before taking an over-the-counter drug.
• Don't stir medicine into your food or take capsules apart (unless your doctor tells you to).