Certain over-the-counter medicines and products can cause problems for people who take medications to treat COPD. For example:

• Beta-blockers, which are often used to manage high blood pressure or heart problems, can interact with beta-2 agonists and theophylline.
• Herbal supplements, such as Saint-John’s wort, can interact with theophylline and other medicines used to treat COPD.
• Caffeine from coffee, soda, and other sources can interact with albuterol, an inhaled beta-agonist used to open airways.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can interact with certain corticosteroids used to manage COPD.

Check with your physician or pharmacist if you have a question about taking an over-the-counter product or supplement with your medications.

To Learn More
Avoid interactions when you take a prescription medication. Start by checking with your physician or pharmacist before you take any herb, vitamin, or non-prescription medication. You can also visit our Web site to learn more. Go to www.HorizonBlue.com/Pharmacy, then click on “Reference Tools.” Select “Drug-to-Drug Interaction” from the drop-down menu. Use the search tool to enter the name of a medication and learn how it may interact with foods, supplements, and more.