Enter the names of up to three medications to check for potential interactions. Please note: This tool is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice.
Understanding Medication Interactions
Medication interactions occur when one substance affects how another substance works. This can include prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, herbal supplements, and even certain foods or beverages. Interactions can lead to unexpected side effects, reduce the effectiveness of one or more medications, or increase the risk of serious health problems.
Types of Interactions:
Drug-Drug Interactions: When two or more drugs taken by a patient interact with each other. For example, taking a blood thinner like Warfarin with Aspirin can significantly increase the risk of bleeding.
Drug-Food/Beverage Interactions: Certain foods or drinks can interfere with medication absorption or metabolism. A classic example is grapefruit juice, which can affect how the body processes many common drugs, including statins and certain blood pressure medications.
Drug-Herbal Interactions: Herbal supplements, while natural, can also have potent effects. For instance, St. John's Wort can reduce the effectiveness of many prescription drugs, including birth control pills and antiretrovirals.
Drug-Condition Interactions: A medication may cause an adverse event as a result of a patient's underlying medical condition. For example, decongestants can raise blood pressure, making them risky for individuals with hypertension.
How this Calculator Works (Simplified Logic):
This calculator utilizes a simplified, simulated database of known medication interactions. When you input medication names, it cross-references them against this database to identify potential conflicts. The "severity" is also simulated based on common knowledge of interaction types (e.g., major, moderate, minor).
Important Considerations:
Professional Consultation is Crucial: This tool provides a basic overview and should NEVER replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional (doctor or pharmacist). They have access to comprehensive, up-to-date interaction databases and can consider your individual health profile, dosage, and other factors.
Not Exhaustive: The simulated database used here is not exhaustive. There are thousands of medications and potential interactions, and new research emerges regularly.
Dosage Matters: The severity of an interaction can often depend on the dosage of each medication.
Individual Variability: People react differently to medications. What might be a minor interaction for one person could be more significant for another.
Always discuss all medications, supplements, and health conditions with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure safe and effective treatment.
function checkInteractions() {
var med1 = document.getElementById("med1").value.trim().toLowerCase();
var med2 = document.getElementById("med2").value.trim().toLowerCase();
var med3 = document.getElementById("med3").value.trim().toLowerCase();
var resultDiv = document.getElementById("result");
resultDiv.innerHTML = ""; // Clear previous results
resultDiv.classList.remove('error');
var medications = [med1, med2, med3].filter(function(med) {
return med !== "";
});
if (medications.length < 2) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter at least two medications to check for interactions.";
resultDiv.classList.add('error');
return;
}
// — Simulated Interaction Database —
// In a real application, this would be a comprehensive, dynamic database.
// For this example, we'll use a small, hardcoded set of common interactions.
// Structure: { "medA,medB": "Severity (Major/Moderate/Minor)", "Interaction Description" }
var interactionDatabase = {
"warfarin,aspirin": "Major – Increased risk of bleeding.",
"warfarin,ibuprofen": "Major – Increased risk of bleeding.",
"warfarin,naproxen": "Major – Increased risk of bleeding.",
"warfarin,clopidogrel": "Major – Significantly increased risk of bleeding.",
"warfarin,heparin": "Major – Significantly increased risk of bleeding.",
"warfarin,amiodarone": "Moderate – May increase warfarin levels and bleeding risk.",
"warfarin,fluconazole": "Moderate – May increase warfarin levels and bleeding risk.",
"warfarin,erythromycin": "Moderate – May increase warfarin levels and bleeding risk.",
"warfarin,st. john's wort": "Major – Decreased warfarin effectiveness, increased clotting risk.",
"aspirin,ibuprofen": "Moderate – Increased risk of stomach upset, ulcers, and bleeding.",
"aspirin,naproxen": "Moderate – Increased risk of stomach upset, ulcers, and bleeding.",
"aspirin,ketoprofen": "Moderate – Increased risk of stomach upset, ulcers, and bleeding.",
"aspirin,celecoxib": "Moderate – Increased risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal.",
"lisinopril,ibuprofen": "Moderate – Ibuprofen may reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of lisinopril and increase risk of kidney problems.",
"lisinopril,naproxen": "Moderate – Naproxen may reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of lisinopril and increase risk of kidney problems.",
"lisinopril,meloxicam": "Moderate – May reduce the blood pressure lowering effect of lisinopril and increase risk of kidney problems.",
"lisinopril,atorvastatin": "Minor – Potential for slight increase in muscle pain risk.",
"metformin,iodinated contrast media": "Major – Risk of lactic acidosis, especially in patients with impaired kidney function. Temporarily stop metformin.",
"metformin,furosemide": "Moderate – Furosemide may affect blood glucose levels, potentially impacting metformin's effectiveness.",
"sertraline,MAO inhibitors": "Severe – Risk of serotonin syndrome. Absolutely contraindicated.",
"fluoxetine,MAO inhibitors": "Severe – Risk of serotonin syndrome. Absolutely contraindicated.",
"citalopram,MAO inhibitors": "Severe – Risk of serotonin syndrome. Absolutely contraindicated.",
"escitalopram,MAO inhibitors": "Severe – Risk of serotonin syndrome. Absolutely contraindicated.",
"paroxetine,MAO inhibitors": "Severe – Risk of serotonin syndrome. Absolutely contraindicated.",
"sertraline,tramadol": "Moderate – Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.",
"fluoxetine,tramadol": "Moderate – Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.",
"sertraline,st. john's wort": "Moderate – Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.",
"fluoxetine,st. john's wort": "Moderate – Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.",
"sertraline,ondansetron": "Moderate – Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.",
"citalopram,ondansetron": "Moderate – Increased risk of serotonin syndrome.",
"simvastatin,itraconazole": "Major – Increased risk of simvastatin toxicity (muscle pain/breakdown).",
"simvastatin,ketoconazole": "Major – Increased risk of simvastatin toxicity (muscle pain/breakdown).",
"simvastatin,erythromycin": "Moderate – Increased risk of simvastatin toxicity (muscle pain/breakdown).",
"simvastatin,clarithromycin": "Moderate – Increased risk of simvastatin toxicity (muscle pain/breakdown).",
"simvastatin,grapefruit juice": "Moderate – Can increase simvastatin levels, increasing muscle pain risk (large amounts).",
"atorvastatin,itraconazole": "Major – Increased risk of atorvastatin toxicity (muscle pain/breakdown).",
"atorvastatin,ketoconazole": "Major – Increased risk of atorvastatin toxicity (muscle pain/breakdown).",
"atorvastatin,grapefruit juice": "Moderate – Can increase atorvastatin levels, increasing muscle pain risk (large amounts).",
"digoxin,verapamil": "Moderate – Verapamil can increase digoxin levels.",
"digoxin,amiodarone": "Moderate – Amiodarone can increase digoxin levels.",
"digoxin,dronedarone": "Moderate – Dronedarone can increase digoxin levels.",
"prednisone,NSAIDs": "Moderate – Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.",
"dexamethasone,NSAIDs": "Moderate – Increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding."
};
// — End Simulated Database —
var foundInteractions = [];
// Check all pairs of medications
for (var i = 0; i < medications.length; i++) {
for (var j = i + 1; j < medications.length; j++) {
var medPair = [medications[i], medications[j]].sort().join(',');
if (interactionDatabase[medPair]) {
foundInteractions.push("" + medications[i].toUpperCase() + " & " + medications[j].toUpperCase() + ": " + interactionDatabase[medPair]);
}
}
}
if (foundInteractions.length > 0) {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "Potential Interactions Found:" + foundInteractions.join("");
} else {
resultDiv.innerHTML = "No significant interactions found in our simulated database for this combination.";
}
}