Dangerous duos: mindlessly popping pills—even the seemingly harmless, over-the-counter variety—can be a critical mistake, especially if you were to accidentally stumble across one of these killer combinations

Men's Fitness, Oct, 2004 by Elizabeth Ward

THIS                   THIS =                   THIS

Tetracycline           Milk, cheese, or         Reduces the drug's
(an acne medication)   calcium supplements      effectiveness and
                                                ability to fight off
                                                infection

Penicillin, Cipro,     Aluminum or magnesium-   Triggers muscle
or Levaquin            based antacids (such     weakness, loss of
(antibiotics)          as Mylanta or Maalox)    appetite, and a
                                                metallic taste in
                                                the mouth

Aspirin                Ginkgo biloba or         Slows clotting of
                       garlic supplements       the blood, increasing
                                                risk of bruising when
                                                you're cut

Motrin or Advil        Three or more            Increases risk of
                       alcoholic drinks a day   stomach bleeding or
                                                ulcers

Marplan, Nardil,       Ginseng supplements      Leads to headaches
Carbex, or Eldepryl                             and muscle tremors
(antidepressants)

Ativan (an anti-       Kava or valerian         Drains your energy,
anxiety medication)    (popular anti-stress     leaving you sleepy
                       supplements)             and lethargic

Elavil (an             A low-fiber diet         Causes constipation
antidepressant)

Viagra                 A high-fat meal          Delays "lift off"
                                                later on

If she takes:          Birth-control pills      Raises risk of your
Antibiotics                                     becoming a dad