OTC and prescription drug interactions...learned a lesson yesterday

emrldsky

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I took a Mucinex DM tablet yesterday morning at work. By 11, I was making plans to go home for the rest of the day.

I became very light-headed, dizzy, and unfocused. I would look at the computer screen and everything seemed to be bouncing. I went home and laid on the couch until around 9 p.m. and anytime I got up, blood rushed to my head and I felt dizzy all over again.

What I didn't know was that the Mucinex DM and my antidepressant weren't playing nicely together. I learned this morning that any drug with dextromethorphan in it is NOT good for those taking antidepressants!!

Note to self: double-check drug interactions before taking ANYTHING in the future.
 

strange_wings

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Antidepressants tend to interact with a lot of stuff.

When you stood up, that wasn't the blood rushing to your head, gravity does not allow this, it was the blood rushing from it. I deal with 24/7, so I know it can be upsetting or even downright scary.

My guess it is messed with your blood pressure, temporarily lowering it for a while. ( I think some antidepressants can do this in some people already)

Are you feeling better today? Has the dizziness completely passed?
 
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emrldsky

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Originally Posted by strange_wings

Antidepressants tend to interact with a lot of stuff.

When you stood up, that wasn't the blood rushing to your head, gravity does not allow this, it was the blood rushing from it. I deal with 24/7, so I know it can be upsetting or even downright scary.

My guess it is messed with your blood pressure, temporarily lowering it for a while. ( I think some antidepressants can do this in some people already)

Are you feeling better today? Has the dizziness completely passed?
I'm feeling much better today and the dizziness is gone.
I am feeling jittery (and dealing with post-nasal drip), though. But other than that, I feel OK.
 
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emrldsky

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Originally Posted by butzie

Just took Mucinex off the list of over-the-counter drugs for me. Glad you are okay.
Regular Mucinex should be fine, it's the DM version that did that to me.
Just watch for that drug (dextromethorphan).
 

luvmy2cats

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Originally Posted by emrldsky

I took a Mucinex DM tablet yesterday morning at work. By 11, I was making plans to go home for the rest of the day.

I became very light-headed, dizzy, and unfocused. I would look at the computer screen and everything seemed to be bouncing. I went home and laid on the couch until around 9 p.m. and anytime I got up, blood rushed to my head and I felt dizzy all over again.

What I didn't know was that the Mucinex DM and my antidepressant weren't playing nicely together. I learned this morning that any drug with dextromethorphan in it is NOT good for those taking antidepressants!!

Note to self: double-check drug interactions before taking ANYTHING in the future.
That's good to know because I take antidpressants. Mine is a SSRI though. Most things interact with MAOIs. There is a website call drugs.com that you can check for drug interactions. Even on over the counter stuff.
 

strange_wings

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^There's a site called rxlist.com that has information on side effects, possible interactions, and studies done.
 
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emrldsky

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Originally Posted by luvmycat1

That's good to know because I take antidpressants. Mine is a SSRI though. Most things interact with MAOIs. There is a website call drugs.com that you can check for drug interactions. Even on over the counter stuff.
Originally Posted by strange_wings

^There's a site called rxlist.com that has information on side effects, possible interactions, and studies done.
Yeah, I looked it up after the fact.
I made a terrible assumption and paid the price for it. You better believe I won't do that again!
 

gailc

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I just bought that a couple of weeks ago when Neil had his cold!! He has one prescription I'll look it up for interactions.
 
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