What are drug interactions (including alcohol and food)?

When two or more medicines are taken at the same time, the effects of the medicines are sometimes different to when they are taken separately. This is known as a drug interaction. The effect may be helpful or unhelpful. Interactions can occur between prescription, over-the-counter (medicines brought from a pharmacy or shop) and complementary medicines.

The same thing can happen when some medicines are taken with food, alcohol, vitamins or dietary supplements.

It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist what medicines you are currently taking, including those that you only take from time to time. It is also important to read the patient information leaflet and any labels on the medicine, to check that your medicines can be taken together and will not interact.