LONDON, July 9 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
From sunshineandsangria to long-haul flights and festival weekends, summer brings a welcome change of pace. Butthese seasonal shifts can affect how your medicines and medical devices work, sometimes in ways you may not expext.
Today,theMedicines andHealthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is launching "Summer-proof your health",afive-week campaign to help people stay safewith their medicines and medical devices,while still enjoying everything summer has to offer.
Simple changes to your routine, like staying out later, travelling, or coping with the heat, canall have an impact. Even when summer plans take over,your medicines still follow the same rules.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:
"Summeroften meanschangesto our daily routines, whether that's socialising more, travelling, or spending more time outdoors.
"It'sworth rememberingthat changesto your routine can affect how your medicines and medical devices work.
"Our 'summer-proof your health'campaignwill helpyoustay one step ahead, soyoucan enjoy summer with confidence, knowingyourmedicines are working as intended."
Throughout the campaign,the MHRA will share simpleandpracticaltips to help people stay safe with their medicines, including how to manage everyday interactions that can easily be overlooked.
Overlookedinteractions with medicines
Warmer weather and more social plans mean people are more likely tomix their medicines with alcohol, supplements or certain foods, often without realising the potential impact.
Someinteractionsare easy to overlookandcanaffecthow your medicines work.
An espresso martini here, a mimosa there,ora fresh grapefruit juice the next morningcanallbepart of summer'srhythm,but some combinations may have unintendedeffects. Forexample:
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Alcoholcan sometimesinteract with medicines, such asantibiotics,or affect how you feel the next day
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Grapefruit juiceat brunch,or in amocktail or cocktail canaffect how some medicines are processed
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Herbal productslike St John's Wort caninteract withsomeprescription medicines
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Sickness after a big night outcan affect how well someoralcontraceptiveswork
Jenn Matthissen, MHRA Head ofGastrointestinal system, Nutrition, Endocrine and Fertility, said:
"These interactionscaneasilyslip under the radar because they're tied to things we enjoy- drinks withfriends, trying something new, or changing routineswhileon holiday.
"This isn'tabout avoidingthosemoments, but aboutbeing aware that they can affecthowyourmedicines work.
"It'squick and easytostay informed-all medicines in the UK come with apatient information leafletand you can also find these online onthe MHRA websitein just a few clicks.You can also speaktoa pharmacist or a healthcare professional who can help youmake sure everything works together safely."
The MHRA is encouraging people to:
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Take a moment to check the patient leaflet that comes with your medicine - this can also be accessed online here: MHRA Products: Home
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Ask a pharmacistor healthcare professional if you'reunsure about mixing medicines with alcohol,food or supplements
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Be mindful whenyourroutineschanges,includingduringholidays, festivals and late nights.Some medicinesneed to be taken at a specific time each day, as timing can affect how well they work.
Often the small,everyday combinationsareeasytooverlookbutonceyou're aware of them, they're simple tomanage.
Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from a medicine is encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly to theMHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Notes to editors:
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
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For media enquiries, please contact the newscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on 020 3080 7651.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
