Repeated medication is very harmful, so keep your eyes open and don’t fall into the trap!

Dry autumn weather can easily cause internal heat. Recently, Ms. Wang, who had swollen and painful gums and oral ulcers, went to the pharmacy to buy Huanglian Shangqing Pills and Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets, thinking that taking them together would be more effective. Unexpectedly, it caused severe diarrhea! After consulting a doctor, she learned that this was caused by repeated medication. What exactly is repeated medication? What drug combinations constitute repeated medication?

Repeated medication refers to the use of two or more drugs with the same pharmacological effects (including the same ingredients and the same mechanism of action) at the same time without a legitimate reason. In the above case, Ms. Wang took Huanglian Shangqing Pills and Niuhuang Jiedu Tablets, both of which contain rhubarb, which has the effect of purging heat and toxins. Diarrhea is related to excessive use of rhubarb. Repeated medication can lead to wasted money at best and life-threatening at worst. For the following drug combinations, everyone must open their eyes and read them carefully, and don't "step into the trap"!

1. Acetaminophen + compound cold medicine

Acetaminophen is an antipyretic and analgesic drug, and most of the commonly used compound cold medicines, such as Sanjiu Ganmaoling Granules, Vitamin C Yinqiao Tablets, Riye Baifuning, Baijiahei, etc., contain this ingredient. If you take the above compound cold medicines and take the single ingredient acetaminophen to reduce fever at the same time, it may lead to an overdose of acetaminophen.

Hazards of repeated medication: damage to liver and kidney function.

2Chlorpheniramine maleate + compound cold medicine

Chlorpheniramine maleate is an antiallergic drug that can relieve symptoms such as nasal congestion, sneezing, and runny nose. Cold medicines such as compound pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, acetaminophen tablets, acetaminophen granules, and acetaminophen syrup all contain this ingredient. If you do not pay attention to the compound ingredients, it can easily lead to repeated use of the medication.

Hazards of repeated medication: drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, difficulty urinating, etc. Drivers should pay special attention.

3. Diclofenac + Voltaren. Both of them have the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac as their main ingredient, which is often used to relieve joint pain. If you take diclofenac (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets) orally and apply Voltaren (diclofenac diethylamine emulsion) externally at the same time, it will lead to repeated medication.

Hazards of repeated medication: headache, abdominal pain, rash, liver and kidney damage, etc.

4 Metronidazole + Ornidazole

Although metronidazole and ornidazole have different drug ingredients, they both belong to the nitroimidazole class of antibacterial drugs. The combination of the two is also considered as repeated use of drugs.

Hazards of repeated medication: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, urticaria, leukopenia, etc.

5. Amoxicillin + cephalosporin antibiotics

Amoxicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics are both β-lactam antibiotics with similar mechanisms of action and basically the same antibacterial effects. Their combined use is considered duplication of medication.

Hazards of repeated medication: diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, rash, etc., and easy to produce bacterial resistance.

6 Heartache tablets + Baixintong

Nifedipine is a common tablet of nifedipine, which can lower blood pressure quickly but for a short time; Nifedipine is a controlled-release tablet of nifedipine, which releases the drug slowly and has a long-lasting blood pressure-lowering effect. The two cannot be taken at the same time, or used interchangeably because they are considered to have the same ingredients.

Dangers of repeated medication: Blood pressure fluctuations can easily lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents.

7Glibenclamide + Xiaoke Pills

Glibenclamide is a Western medicine for lowering blood sugar. Xiaoke Pills, a traditional Chinese medicine for treating diabetes, also contains glibenclamide. If the two are used together or used together with other hypoglycemic drugs without adjusting the dosage, it is easy to be dangerous.

Dangers of repeated medication: hypoglycemia, even life-threatening.

8. Compound Xueshuantong Tablets + Xinmaitong Capsules

The Chinese medicinal ingredients such as Salvia miltiorrhiza and Panax notoginseng contained in these two medicines have the effects of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and activating blood vessels and collaterals. Their combined use is unnecessary and can easily cause danger.

Hazards of repeated medication: dry mouth, dry throat, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bleeding and coagulation disorders, etc.

9 Quick-acting Heart-saving Pills + Compound Danshen Dripping Pills

The main ingredients of Suxiao Jiuxin Pills are Chuanxiong and borneol, while Compound Danshen Dripping Pills contain Danshen, Panax notoginseng and borneol. Both are commonly used drugs for the treatment of coronary heart disease and angina pectoris, with very similar pharmacological effects. Both contain borneol, and a large amount of borneol is likely to cause adverse gastrointestinal reactions.

Hazards of repeated medication: nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, fatigue, rash, allergies and allergic-like reactions, etc.

10Pudilan Anti-inflammatory Oral Liquid + Lanqin Oral Liquid + Compound Houttuynia Cordata Mixture

These three Chinese patent medicines all contain ingredients such as scutellaria baicalensis and isatis root, and all have the effects of clearing away heat and detoxifying, relieving sore throat and reducing swelling. Some people believe that Chinese medicine has few side effects and that the combined use of medicines with the same efficacy can increase the efficacy. In fact, this is not the case. Combined use can also cause adverse consequences.

Hazards of repeated medication: gastrointestinal discomfort and increased burden on the liver and kidneys.

How to avoid duplication of medication:

1. Read the drug instructions carefully to check whether the main ingredients are repeated;

2. Go to a regular medical institution for treatment and avoid taking multiple medications on your own;

3. When seeing a doctor, take the initiative to inform the doctor of your recent medication situation.