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November 2007
Managing Medication:
Making it a Perfect Match
Users beware! With the vast array of medications available and being prescribed, there are growing concerns for potential interactions with the food we eat. Also, supplements, over-the-counter preparations as well as herbal remedies can interact negatively. Knowing what the potential interactions are is vital to ensuring that the medication is being absorbed and working properly. Let's take a closer look at some of the most common interactions to make managing medication, foods and supplements a perfect match.
CAUTION:
Always consult with your physician before making changes to your medication.
Ask your pharmacist if you have any medication questions or concerns.
Grapefruit Gripes
Grapefruit and its juice have been known to interact with several drugs.
It contains a substance that blocks the ability of the liver to breakdown
certain drugs, resulting in higher-than-acceptable levels of the drug
in the blood. This can lead to toxic levels and the effect can last up
to 24 hours.
Pharmacists are required to label these prescription drugs with a "sticker" that states the drug interacts with grapefruit. The partial list below denotes some medications known to interact with grapefruit.
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS: felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia,
Adalat), nisoldipine (Sular).
IMMUNOSUPPRESSANT DRUGS: cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, SangCya),
tacrolimus (Prograf).
ANTI-DEPRESSANT, -ANXIETY AND -INSOMNIA DRUGS: diazepam (Valium), triazolam
(Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), carbamazepine (Tegretol), clomipramine
(Anafranil).
CHOLESTEROL-LOWERING DRUGS: statins (Zocor), lovastatin (Mevacor), atorvastatin
(Lipitor).
Coumadin Concerns
The most commonly prescribed blood thinner, warfarin (Coumadin), is used
to prevent blood clots. This drug interferes with, the natural blood-clotter,
Vitamin K. As a result, drastic changes in one's daily intake of this
vitamin can interfere with Coumadin. This does not mean to eliminate
Vitamin K-rich foods but to avoid large amounts at one time and to
try to have a consistent intake of these foods. Vitamin K rich-foods
include leafy greens, like spinach, kale, collard greens and romaine,
as well as Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
Other foods can interfere with the effectiveness of Coumadin. Foods such as soy milk, avocado, seaweed, green tea and vitamin K-containing multivitamins may decrease the effectiveness of the drug. On the other hand, cranberry and grapefruit juices, mango, fish oil supplements, alcohol and ginseng may increase the effectiveness of Coumadin, resulting in thinner blood.
Avoid big changes in consumption of these foods to lower the interaction potential. The key to avoiding potential interactions is to avoid making big changes in your consumption of these foods.
Herbal Headaches
If you are taking herbal supplements, be sure to inform your physician.
Many supplements can interfere with medications. Supplements sold in
the US are not regulated by the government, leading to unknown amounts
or ingredients in each dose. If you do buy supplements, the best advice
is to buy from reputable companies and inform your physician of any
and all supplements you are taking.
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