While most all over-the-counter and prescription drugs will come with side effects and other products that can adversely interact with them, there are some foods and drinks that tend to affect many of the most common medications.
In order to give you a bit of a heads up, Delmar Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has details on four foods and drinks that will commonly have an impact on medications you might be taking.
- Alcohol
As a general rule, alcohol can increase the effects of most medications. It can increase drowsiness and can also interfere with medicine taken to control blood sugar levels for diabetes. In some cases, it can also increase the risk of overdose for medication taken for anxiety and depression.
- Grapefruit
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice can cause several prescription medications to not be as effective as they should be, including statins, blood pressure, and heart-rhythm drugs. Some antianxiety medication and drugs to treat Crohn’s disease and other conditions can also cause problems when consuming grapefruit along with these medications.
- Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements can have negative interactions with several types of medications. For example, ginkgo biloba and garlic can increase the risk of bleeding if you take drugs to prevent clotting. Warfarin and some statins can be less effective when someone is taking St. John’s wort as well. Check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements if you are on prescription medication.
- Dairy Products
Dairy products tend to cause problems with several common antibiotics. The calcium in products like milk, cheese, and yogurt can cause the body to not properly absorb the antibiotics, making them less effective than they should be in treating the condition that they were prescribed for. Doctors say avoid dairy from one hour before to two hours after taking most antibiotics.
To learn more about Delmar Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://delmar-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org.
