Now that cold season is here...

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2003
Now that cold season is here...
1
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 1:30pm
...and I almost made a big mistake, I wanted to remind everyone to check and double check with their pharmacist BEFORE purchasing ANY over the counter cold remedies to see if there is an interaction possibility with something they are already taking.

I had read once before, on a weight loss supplement, that people taking meds such as lithium and some other for depression, bi-polar disorder, and some others were listed shouldn't take it and never gave it another thought.

When I went to the dr this week because I have a horrible case of bronchitis I was asked if I was taking anything otc, and said no. Looking at my chart, I was informed that was good because I Should NOT take ANYTHING containing any form of EPHEDRINE - which is what most cold rememdies contain as the main ingredient - it interferes with lithium. No where in the literature that I got with lithium (that I have noticed at least) have I read this.

So, please, make sure you are asking about this for your meds. Only thing worse then being sick is being sick and then ending up cycling off into one extreme mood or the other!!!

Here's hoping no one gets sick and NEEDS any cold remedies any way! :)

Tracey

Avatar for cla3a
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Wed, 10-27-2004 - 4:26pm

Hi Tracey,


I am sorry that you are sick. I found a list online about meds people taking bi-polar meds should avoid not long ago.

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