The Most Dangerous Drug Combinations: Are You Taking Them?

Sucking down pills, powders or other concoctions comprises many adults' standard health care rituals. Some of these pills or potions are prescribed by doctors, while others may be over-the-counter pain relievers, antacids, vitamins or supplements.

The problem with the habit of mixing and matching pharmaceuticals is that the more medication ingested, the more people risk drug interactions, which can be dangerous and even deadly. The Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that revealed as many as one in 25 people in their late fifties and older consume dangerous drug cocktails.

For this reason, it is imperative to consult a doctor regarding all drugs, supplements or over-the-counter remedies you use to ensure that they don't interact with each other in a dangerous way. Don’t assume that because something is natural or readily available to the general public without a prescription that it can’t cause adverse consequences if taken with something else.

We'll cover some very dangerous combinations of drugs below. However, it is important to understand that this is by no means an exhaustive list, and you should always talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns or questions you have about medications you take or may consider taking. Be forthcoming about what you take when prescribed something new – it could save your life.

Are you taking these dangerous drug combinations?

If you currently take any of the following drug combinations, contact your doctor immediately for next steps. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, supplements and over-the-counter drugs you take regularly and explain why you are concerned. Your doctor may have you stop taking one or all of the drugs you currently combine in order to eliminate any risk of dangerous interactions or side effects. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and only stop taking the medicines you are directed to stop. In some cases, it may be detrimental to your health to stop taking a maintenance medication suddenly, so be sure to work with your doctor at all times.


The following list of drug combinations can be very dangerous.

  • Opioids combined with SSRI drugs: Opioids are painkillers, and SSRIs are antidepressants. Both types of drugs can work by elevating the levels of serotonin in the body (the hormone that causes happiness). While it may seem like this double-dose of happiness-increasing medication is a good idea, when levels of serotonin become too high, side effects can include a too-rapid heartrate, escalated breathing rates, elevated body temperatures and feelings of agitation. This is often referred to as serotonin syndrome. Too much of a good thing can equal an overdose in this situation.
  • Fluconazole combined with statins: Statins are drugs designed to lower cholesterol and are one of the most commonly prescribed drugs. Fluconazole, or Diflucan, is an anti-fungal drug frequently used to treat yeast infections. Together this cocktail is known to damage kidneys and cause muscle weakness.
  • Blood thinners combined with NSAIDs: Blood thinners such as Coumadin can be dangerous and even deadly when taken with over-the-counter NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin. NSAIDs can increase the blood-thinning effect of Coumadin or a similar drug, causing internal bleeding and possible death.
  • Lisinopril combined with potassium: Lisinopril (Prinavil and Zestril are common brand names) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class used primarily for treating hypertension and congestive heart failure. Potassium is a dietary supplement some people take for various health purposes. Together this combination is capable of causing an elevated risk of hyperkalemia, a dangerous potassium level that can result in heart attack and/or death.
  • Opioids and benzodiazepines: Opioids, as mentioned above, are a painkiller, while benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety disorders. Both drugs have depressant properties and can lower breathing and heart rates to dangerous and deadly levels when combined. If you are taking benzodiazepines and are prescribed a painkiller, it is essential that you let the doctor know what you’re taking for your anxiety so pain medication can be assigned properly and safely.
  • Ginkgo combined with aspirin: Both of these drugs are available in over-the-counter forms, making it easy to fly under the radar of health care professionals. Together, this cocktail can cause dangerous bleeding problems.
  • Statins combined with vitamin B: The cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins can be dangerous when combined with vitamin B supplements. The result is potential kidney failure.
This is far from a complete list of risky drug cocktails that you can encounter in a pharmacy. In fact, there are some foods that may interact dangerously with certain drugs (for example, grapefruit eaten while taking statins). If you are concerned about the possibility of taking an unsafe drug combination, talk to your doctor. Be honest and thorough when asking for guidance. Keep a written list of all medicines, vitamins, supplements or over-the-counter drugs you may take -- even if you don’t take them every day. Ask your doctor for information about each of the prescriptions you take and be sure to read all literature that you receive with your drugs. There should be a list of potential risks and side effects that often includes any other drugs you should avoid while taking it.

In addition, purchasing all of your prescription and over-the-counter drugs in the same pharmacy can help you track your usage and will assist the pharmacist in identifying any dangerous mixes. Be sure to ask your pharmacist to record your over-the-counter purchases as well as your prescriptions so you have a working log to consult prior to incorporating any new medicines into your healthcare program. Never hesitate to ask as many questions as you need to in order to be sure you’re making safe decisions regarding your medicines. There are no dumb questions when it comes to your health.