Prescription conflicts occur when medicines you take interact in ways that alter their effectiveness, raise the risk of adverse effects, or create unexpected results. These prescription conflicts can arise between prescription drugs, over-the-counter products, supplements, and even certain medical devices. Understanding how prescription conflicts can happen helps you take a proactive role in your safety and talk more clearly with your clinician about treatment choices. Practical steps to reduce prescription conflicts start with a complete medication record. Maintain an up-to-date list that includes drug name, formulation, dose, and schedule, and share it with every clinician, pharmacist, or urgent care team you encounter. Consider using a single pharmacy to help catch potential interactions, and never change how you take a medication without clearing it with a clinician or pharmacist. Tips for spotting prescription conflicts include asking about potential interactions whenever a new prescription is added, clarifying the purpose of each medication, and noting any unexpected symptoms that appear after starting a new drug. Use reliable reference resources as a starting point, but verify findings with your clinician or pharmacist, since they can assess your entire medication profile and health history to determine risk. When to consult your clinician includes experiencing new or worsening symptoms after starting or adjusting a medication, or when a medication is prescribed that could interact with existing treatments. If there is any concern about prescription conflicts, contact your clinician promptly, and seek urgent care if symptoms are severe or rapidly onset.
