FREE educational workshop offered in: Russian, Vietnamese, Spanish, English, Friday, Dec. 1 at 11 a.m. for more information: 503-310-4504.
Your doctor prescribes a medication. But to make sure you get well, you decide to add an over-the-counter dietary supplement or an herbal remedy. You may be in danger of a drug interaction.
Interactions with prescription medications can cause hives, dizziness, comas, severe illnesses and even death. Learn the dangers of drug interactions at a free educational workshop 11.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 at 7901, SE Powell Blvd, Portland, OR 97206. The workshop is free and open to the public. Leading the workshop will be Jasmine Nguyen, Ph.D., an independent compounding pharmacist (compounding pharmacists practice the science of personally preparing complex and specialized medications).
Nguyen is committed to serving Portland's rapidly growing diversity. Currently, more than half-a-million (500,000) Oregonians don't speak English as their first language. Nguyen staff will present this life-saving information in
* Russian,
* Vietnamese,
* Spanish and
* English.
"Many cultures combine prescribed medications with traditional folk remedies, a very real danger," Nguyen says.
She also points to the widespread public perception that herbs and botanical products in dietary supplements are safe.
"Research shows these products carry the same risk as other pharmacologically active compounds," she emphasizes.
Interactions may occur between prescription drugs and
* Over-the-counter drugs
* Dietary supplements or
* Even small molecules in food
It's a daunting challenge to identify all interactions that may cause harm, notes Nguyen. Moreover, concerns about herb-drug interactions frequently are not based on rigorous research.
Nguyen believes it's vital ALL Oregonians have accurate information about prescription medications.
If you are undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or using warfarin or digoxin, Nguyen cautions you to be particularly careful to avoid drug interactions.
Contact Info:
For more information or to interview Jasmine Nguyen, contact Mara Woloshin, 24/7, 503-310-4504 or [email protected]
