Many drugs have side effects. A side effect can be drowsiness, headaches, nausea, or even an allergic reaction to the medicine.

For examples, antihistamines (the active ingredient in prescription and over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines) can make you very sleepy. Be very careful if you are driving and taking an antihistamine. Drinking alcoholic beverages and taking acetaminophen can cause stomach bleeding or liver damage.

Other medicines you are taking can cause drug interactions with your prescription medicines. A drug interaction can

• cause your medicine to not work as well as it should
• make you sicker than you are

Even vitamins and herbal supplements, food and drink can cause side effects or drug interactions. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist EVERY over-the-counter medicine, vitamin, and herbal supplement you are taking. ASK if there are any foods or drinks you should avoid while taking a new medicine.

Do you want to know more about common prescription medicines and their interactions with food and beverages? Read the Food and Drug Administration's booklet "Food and Drug Interactions." You can read it online at http://nclnet.org/Food%20%Drug.pdf