From sunshine\u00a0and\u00a0sangria to long-haul flights and festival weekends, summer brings a welcome change of pace. But\u00a0these seasonal shifts can affect how your medicines and medical devices work, sometimes in ways you may not expext.<\/p>\n
Today,\u00a0the\u00a0Medicines and\u00a0Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is launching \u201cSummer-proof your health\u201d,\u00a0a\u00a0five-week campaign to help people stay safe\u00a0with their medicines and medical devices,\u00a0while still enjoying everything summer has to offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Simple changes to your routine, like staying out later, travelling, or coping with the heat, can\u00a0all have an impact. Even when summer plans take over,\u00a0your medicines still follow the same rules.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said:\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSummer\u00a0often means\u00a0changes\u00a0to our daily routines, whether that\u2019s socialising more, travelling, or spending more time outdoors.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0worth remembering\u00a0that changes\u00a0to your routine can affect how your medicines and medical devices work.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur \u2018summer-proof your health\u2019\u00a0campaign\u00a0will help\u00a0you\u00a0stay one step ahead, so\u00a0you\u00a0can enjoy summer with confidence, knowing\u00a0your\u00a0medicines are working as intended.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Throughout the campaign,\u00a0the MHRA will share simple\u00a0and\u00a0practical\u00a0tips to help people stay safe with their medicines, including how to manage everyday interactions that can easily be overlooked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Overlooked\u00a0interactions with medicines\u00a0<\/p>\n
Warmer weather and more social plans mean people are more likely to\u00a0mix their medicines with alcohol, supplements or certain foods, often without realising the potential impact.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some\u00a0interactions\u00a0are easy to overlook\u00a0and\u00a0can\u00a0affect\u00a0how your medicines work.\u00a0<\/p>\n
An espresso martini here, a mimosa there,\u00a0or\u00a0a fresh grapefruit juice the next morning\u00a0can\u00a0all\u00a0be\u00a0part of summer\u2019s\u00a0rhythm,\u00a0but some combinations may have unintended\u00a0effects. For\u00a0example:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Alcohol\u00a0can sometimes\u00a0interact with medicines, such as\u00a0antibiotics,\u00a0or affect how you feel the next day\u00a0<\/p>\n
Grapefruit juice\u00a0at brunch,\u00a0or in a\u00a0mocktail or cocktail can\u00a0affect how some medicines are processed<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Herbal products\u00a0like St John\u2019s Wort can\u00a0interact with\u00a0some\u00a0prescription medicines\u00a0<\/p>\n Sickness after a big night out\u00a0can affect how well some\u00a0oral\u00a0contraceptives\u00a0work\u00a0<\/p>\n Jenn Matthissen, MHRA Head of\u00a0Gastrointestinal system, Nutrition, Endocrine and Fertility, said:\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThese interactions\u00a0can\u00a0easily\u00a0slip under the radar because they\u2019re tied to things we enjoy\u00a0– drinks with\u00a0friends, trying something new, or changing routines\u00a0while\u00a0on holiday.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis isn\u2019t\u00a0about avoiding\u00a0those\u00a0moments, but about\u00a0being aware that they can affect\u00a0how\u00a0your\u00a0medicines work.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s\u00a0quick and easy\u00a0to\u00a0stay informed\u00a0–\u00a0all medicines in the UK come with a\u00a0patient information leaflet\u00a0and you can also find these online on\u00a0the MHRA website<\/a>\u00a0in just a few clicks.\u00a0You can also speak\u00a0to\u00a0a pharmacist or a healthcare professional who can help you\u00a0make sure everything works together safely.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The MHRA is encouraging people to:\u00a0<\/p>\n Take a moment to check the patient leaflet that comes with your medicine – this can also be accessed online here: MHRA Products: Home<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n Ask a pharmacist\u00a0or healthcare professional if you\u2019re\u00a0unsure about mixing medicines with alcohol,\u00a0food or supplements\u00a0<\/p>\n Be mindful when\u00a0your\u00a0routines\u00a0changes,\u00a0including\u00a0during\u00a0holidays, festivals and late nights.\u00a0Some medicines\u00a0need to be taken at a specific time each day, as timing can affect how well they work.\u00a0<\/p>\n Often the small,\u00a0everyday combinations\u00a0are\u00a0easy\u00a0to\u00a0overlook\u00a0but\u00a0once\u00a0you\u2019re aware of them, they\u2019re simple to\u00a0manage.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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 the\u00a0MHRA Yellow Card scheme<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Notes to editors:\u00a0<\/p>\n The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)\u202fis responsible for\u202fregulating 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.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.\u202f\u00a0<\/p>\n