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Food
and Medication Interactions
November 2005
As we get older the number of medications we take tends to increase. One
problem with taking multiple medications is that certain foods interact
with certain medications. This is known as a food and medication or food-drug
interaction. This interaction can cause medications to be less effective
or cause dangerous side effects. Food-drug interactions do not only occur
when taking prescription drugs, but can also occur when taking over-the-counter
medications and supplements.
QUIZ TIME!
Check to see how savvy you are about food-drug interactions.
Answer TRUE or FALSE for each of the following five statements:
1. Medication should always be taken with meals.
2. Only prescription drugs interact with food.
3. It’s safe to take my medications with a glass of milk.
4. I take high blood pressure medication. Therefore, I should use a potassium-containing
salt substitute.
5. Over-the-counter antacids are safe for chronic indigestion.
[Answers below]
Is
it true? I can’t have...
Grapefruit? Unlike many other fruits
in the citrus family, grapefruit contains a chemical compound that can
affect the metabolism of many drugs. This causes an increased amount of
the drug in the blood stream leading to side effects and/or toxicity.
Some cholesterol lowering drugs and antihistamines are among the long
list of these drugs. Check with your doctor if yours are on the list.
Dark green vegetables when taking blood thinners? These
contain high amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K produces blood clotting substances
which can reduce the effectiveness of blood thinning drugs. Your doctor
may be able to adjust the amount of blood thinners you take to balance
with the amount of green vegetables you eat.
erries.
Quiz
Answers
1. Medication should always be taken with meals.
- False
It depends on the medication you are taking. Some can irritate the stomach
when it is empty. One example is aspirin. Yet, some medications should
be taken on an empty stomach. This is because food may slow the absorption
of the drug.
2. Only prescription
drugs interact with food. - False
Over-the-counter drugs and supplements, such as natural licorice or St.
John’s Wort, can also interact with foods. Consult your physician
or pharmacist to know which over-the-counter drugs and supplements interact
with food.
3. It’s safe
to take my medications with a glass of milk. - False
Again, it depends are the medication. Some medications such as tetracycline,
an antibiotic, will bind with calcium in dairy foods, making it less effective.
Tetracycline should be taken two hours before or after eating dairy foods.
4. I take high blood
pressure medication. Therefore, I should use a potassium-containing salt
substitute. - False
There are two classes of blood pressure medication that prevent potassium
loss. Excess potassium in the blood can accumulate and slow your heart
down. Ask your doctor if these are the drugs you are on. If so, avoid
potassium-containing substitutes.
5. Over-the-counter
antacids are safe for chronic indigestion. - False
Over-use of antacids can deplete your body’s phosphorus reserves
which are essential for bone and tooth strength. Calcium containing antacids
taken with meals may also interfere with iron absorption.
NOURISHING NEWS ARCHIVES
December
2004 Newsletter
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2004 Newsletter
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Remember: Always consult your doctor before making any changes in your diet or medication regimen.
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