When taking prescription medication, it's very important to tell your doctor about any other prescription drugs, supplements and natural remedies you may be taking. Many herbs, supplements and prescription drugs can react in unexpected ways with each other. Some herbs and supplements weaken the effect of prescription drugs, while others magnify their effects. Here's some common but little known prescription drug, herb and supplement interactions your doctor can help you avoid:

1) Antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of the birth control pill. Taking St. John's wort with the pill has also been linked to unplanned pregnancy, and to irregular periods.

2) St. John's wort can also reduce the effectiveness of the HIV drugs protease inhibitors. St. John's wort also magnifies the effect of antidepressant medication, and can contribute to a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome, as can panax ginseng.

3) Garlic supplements can have similar effects to St. John's wort.

4) Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can interfere with the absorption of some medications. Grapefruit should not be consumed with pain relievers and with prescription drugs used to treat high blood pressure, cholesterol and abnormal heart rhythms. Pomegranate juice can have similar effects.

5) Kava can increase the strength of certain prescription medications, including anti-anxiety drugs, sleep medications and prescription antidepressants. Kava can be toxic when mixed with alcohol. There have been reports of liver failure in people taking kava with hepatoxic (potentially liver damaging) drugs, including atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosiglitazone (Avandia).

6) Celecoxib (the arthritis drug Celebrex) increases the concentration of lithium in the blood, and may promote lithium toxicity. The NSAID pain reliever diclofenac (marketed as Volaren) may also increase the blood levels of lithium by reducing the excretion of lithium by the kidneys.

7) Ginkgo biloba may reduce pantoprazole (the popular proton pump inhibitor Protonix) plasma concentrations. Ginkgo can also interact with anticonvulsants, the antiplatelet drug Plavix and other anticlotting drugs. Ginger, garlic and panax ginseng also interfere with anticlotting drugs and other prescription blood thinners.

8) One little known fact about the ppi Protonix '

Novartis has released study data on its newest long-acting inhaler, the once daily Seebri Breezhaler. The Seebri Breezhaler has been formatted specifically for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, making it one of the first treatments of its kind. Many other long acting inhalers are recommended for asthma, but can also be used to help reduce the symptoms of COPD.

A small research firm based out of Japan, Sosei, developed the medicinal ingredient with its partner firm Ventura. Novartis then bought the rights to glycopyrronium bromide in April 2005. It has since been submitted for approval in both Europe and Japan.

In addition to Seebri Breezhaler, also under development is QVA149 (indacaterol maleate 110 mcg/glycopyrronium bromide 50 mcg), an investigational inhaled, once-daily, fixed dose combination of glycopyrronium bromide and the LABA indacaterol maleate.

The first four Novartis QVA149 Phase III studies in the treatment of COPD all met their primary endpoints. The results of the SHINE, BRIGHT, ENLIGHTEN and ILLUMINATE studies, which are key components of the IGNITE program, demonstrate the potential of QVA149 in the treatment of COPD.

This is great news for COPD sufferers, who have very few options to treat their condition. For those who are allergic to, or have more side effects from other COPD treatments, the Seebri Breezhaler could help them to better treat their symptoms.

COPD is a progressive disease associated mainly with tobacco smoking, air pollution or occupational exposure, which can cause obstruction of airflow in the lungs resulting in debilitating bouts of breathlessness. With symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing getting steadily worse, it is important to start a COPD prescription such as generic Advair as soon as possible after diagnosis. Long acting inhalers and bronchodilators will not stop the disease, but will make the symptoms significantly easier to bear.

COPD affects an estimated 210 million people worldwide and is predicted to be the third leading cause of death by 2020. Although COPD is often thought of as a disease of the elderly, 50% of patients are estimated to be within the ages of 50 and 65, which means that half of the COPD population are likely to be impacted at the peak of their earning power and family responsibilities.