Not everyone responds to medication in the same manner. Because two or more drugs taken within a 24-hour period may interact negatively, tell your doctor if you are taking more than one kind of drug. One drug may slow down or speed up the effect of the other. Ask your pharmacist about food and drug interactions. Some foods may affect the rate at which a medication works, or they can prevent it from working at all.
Some combinations can have even more dangerous consequences.
Don't drink alcohol while on a medication if you don't know its effect. Regular alcohol use can speed up the metabolism of certain drugs, reducing their intended effectiveness. When alcohol is present in the system, other drugs such as sedatives can become deadly. If you are having laboratory tests performed, be sure to inform the physician of all drugs, including nutritional supplements, you have been taking. Certain test results can be influenced.