What medicines and products should not be combined: the worst pairs
Avoid these combinations if you want the medication to help you.
Foods and medicines are not just things to satisfy cravings or make you feel better. They are complex chemicals that nourish the body and help it thrive. But when these chemicals come into contact with each other (for example, in the gut), they can interact, sometimes causing them to not work as they should or causing unpleasant side effects. What medicines and foods should not be taken together?
MigNews shares advice from Chemist4U pharmacist Ian Budd. Important: if a medication categorically cannot be combined with a certain food or drink, this will be indicated on the prescription label. But it is easy to miss or forget about these warnings.
What medicines and foods should not be combined: dairy products and antibiotics
“Many medications interact with food and drinks, altering their absorption or metabolism,” says Budd. “One of the most common interactions is dairy products, which reduce the absorption of the antibiotics tetracycline and ciprofloxacin.”
Tetracyclines are used to treat conditions such as bacterial infections, rosacea, acne and H. pylori. A common brand used by the NHS is Tetralysal 300. Ciprofloxacin, on the other hand, is used to treat infections such as pneumonia, skin, bone, eye and ear infections.
The absorption of these medications may be affected by dairy products. In some cases, the calcium in dairy products binds to antibiotics, preventing them from entering the bloodstream. To avoid this, it is usually recommended to wait about three hours after taking an antibiotic before consuming dairy products. In general, do not wash them down with a large glass of milk.
Incompatibility of drugs with food: foods rich in vitamin K and warfarin
Warfarin is a common medication used to treat blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. But foods rich in vitamin K (such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and blueberries) can prevent it from working effectively.
Vitamin K and warfarin can work against each other. Warfarin thins the blood and prevents blood clots, while vitamin K helps blood clot.
This doesn't mean that people taking warfarin should completely stop taking vitamin K, as it is important for overall health. It just means that people taking the drug need to maintain a steady intake of vitamin K to ensure that the dosage of the drug is accurate.
What medications and products should not be combined: 5-HTP and antidepressants
Those taking antidepressants should avoid taking 5-HTP (or 5-hydroxytryptophan). This is because 5-HTP can increase serotonin levels in the brain. This is good news for those looking to improve their mood and sleep, but antidepressants (i.e., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) already stop serotonin from being reabsorbed after it is used. So adding even more serotonin to the equation can lead to an excess of it.
This can cause a condition known as serotonin syndrome. This is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause symptoms such as hot flashes, high blood pressure, and confusion.
It’s worth noting that 5-HTP isn’t found in the foods we eat, so you don’t need to worry about getting too much of it from whole foods. Our bodies make 5-HTP from tryptophan (found in eggs, milk, salmon, and soy). But eating large amounts of tryptophan doesn’t increase 5-HTP as much as a supplement can.
Incompatibility of drugs with food: grapefruit and statins, some antidepressants, calcium channel blockers and immunosuppressants
Grapefruits are good for your health. But they can affect the absorption of medications, Source: pexels.com
Grapefruit is the big bad wolf when it comes to food-drug interactions. “Grapefruit inhibits the enzyme CYP3A4 in the liver and gut, which reduces the breakdown of medications,” says Budd. “This can lead to higher levels of medications in the blood. This increases the risk of side effects, such as muscle damage when taking statins or excessive sedation when taking antidepressants.”
It's not just grapefruit that can cause problems: “While grapefruit is the most well-known culprit, oranges and pomelo can have similar effects,” says Budd. “Even a small amount can be significant, and the interaction can last up to 24 hours.” This is due to the presence of chemicals known as furanocoumarins, which are associated with the bitter taste of these fruits.
Antidepressants that may be affected by grapefruit include sertraline, trazodone, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, and paroxetine. Most medications that may be affected by grapefruit have a warning on the label.
What medications and foods should not be combined: tea and iron supplements
Many of us like to take our supplements in the morning. But if you're taking your iron supplements shortly after your morning cup of tea, it's time to stop.
This is because the tannins in tea, a type of polyphenol, can bind to the iron in some foods or supplements, preventing it from being absorbed. This is especially true for plant-based (non-heme) sources of iron. So be extra careful if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.
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