I mostly look to see if it's going to counteract another medication that I'm on because then it wouldn't be worth taking either one.

It is not the kind of thing you want to mess with you know? So yeah, I am super anal about it. Maybe I am trying to live out my childhood fantasy of being a doctor? ~_~

You don't want to have near fatal interactions and you don't want to end up with an unwanted pregnancy. So yes.
I know someone who never learned that antibiotics can mess up your birth control pills, and guess what.... she's a mommy.

Ha. I usually just check to make sure it's okay to drink alcohol.

I rarely take more than one medications, unless the doctor presccripts me more than one drug, but even then I read the intsruction. Certainly, because my mom's a nurse, and my godfather's a doctor and they pretty much told us to read first, swallow later...

Always! With one medication I had to take a few years ago, I was shocked to learn that even the small amount of alcohol in mouthwash (!) could have landed me in the hospital! Never would have thought!!!

always, it's very importantt. plus i just love reading labels, on anything. it's intersting.

I read the entire texts - not only to avoid mixing it with other medicines that may cause problems for me, but also to know if I should eat before I take it or not, and symptoms to watch for so if something does go wrong, I'm aware of it sooner rather than later (when I'm really really sick or in the hospital!)

I do. I mean, look at Heath Ledger.

Uh yeah always unfortunately that was one of the causes that led to Heath Ledger's death

For sure, I never understood how anyone could not know about the pregnancy thing and anti-biotics. Even if you don't read the small print, I've had them prescribed with it in bold letters across the name tag before. And it's in virtually every magazine article about contraception, we were told it in school, I was told by the doctor and the pharmacist endless times. I just don't get that at all.

I read everything carefully, but that doesn't mean I follow it. I learned my lesson though after ending up in the hospital a year ago.

Once I became a mom, I became a fanatic about reading drug labels. When my daughter was about 5-months old the doctor gave a cream for her rash that included a burning sensation, and severe nausea as possible reactions. I treated her rash with plain yogurt and tea tree powder; the pediatrician got annoyed and said I was to do as he said so of course, we found a new pediatrician.

Of course, I described a drug reaction, not interaction.

I always check the labels and I also ask my doctor about any side effects that could occur when I'm taking any medicines.

I'm a nurse so you bet'cha. I'm amazed at how little people know about the herbal meds they take and possible interactions. It's also good to know which vitamins and minerals (mostly minerals) compete with one another or you're just wasting your money.

well, this is actually what i do for a living- i read them all day long! i work for a company that publishes the text for interactions and patient education monographs that come along with prescriptions at your local drug stores. it makes me feel good to hear that you all pay close attention to these warnings. we work really hard to help keep ya'll safe!

this survey wont be very helpful because most people that read this blog are probably interested in their health. so this is just another habit of healthy people

yea, don't want to end up any sicker then i am for the reason i'm taking the meds, you know?

Yup I agree you should read your labels for drug interactions, even for dietary supplements. For example, birth control pills are less effective when combined with certain antibiotics, or if you are taking a blood thinning medication, you should avoid certain herbs. The Women's Heart Foundation says, "Avoid taking supplements of garlic, ginko biloba, ginger, feverfew, dong quai or teas with coumarin while taking the blood thinner Coumadin® as these herbs can further prolong clotting times."

Usually, the pharmacist lets me know how I should take the medication, when, and what I can or cannot take while on it. So, I kind of rely on that. I once took Bonine while taking another medication, and it gave me the greatest high in the world. I'm not sure if that's a bad reaction, but it was a surprise to my boyfriend, my pharmacist and myself. It was even more amazing because it was during my first visit to Disneyland. GREAT times!

most often i just ensure that nothing will interact with my birth control, cuz a baby is not in the cards right now!

once i didnt realize and had antibiotics for strep and had to take the morning after pill

i think that on occassion i remember to read them, but i'm usually not taking more than 1 thing at any given time, so i don't pay much attention or concern myself with it all.

always i work in a pharmacy and its crazy how many people dont know what theyre taking on a monthly basis. its almost scary.

I take the combined pill so I always check for interactions with that. I worked in a doctors surgery and now in an old folks home and it's SCARY how many pills some people take! One pill to counter another pills side effects to counter another...

wow i actually didn't know they write that on the bottles...i feel dumb. but i'll definitely look from now on!