12 Medications You Should Never Mix Without Asking Your Doctor

5. Diabetes Medications and Corticosteroids

Diabetes. Photo Credit: Envato @duskbabe

Corticosteroids like prednisone are commonly prescribed for inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and asthma. However, they can significantly raise blood sugar levels, which can be dangerous for people with diabetes who take insulin or medications like metformin. If you have diabetes and need steroids, your doctor may need to adjust your medication to prevent dangerous blood sugar spikes.

6. Opioids and Benzodiazepines

Woman taking medication. Photo Credit: Envato @vadymvdrobot

Combining opioids (like oxycodone, hydrocodone, or fentanyl) with benzodiazepines (like alprazolam/Xanax, diazepam/Valium, or lorazepam/Ativan) is extremely dangerous. Both classes of drugs depress the central nervous system, slowing breathing and increasing the risk of fatal overdose. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued strong warnings about this combination, advising that it should only be used under close medical supervision when absolutely necessary.

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