When Food and Medicine Don't Mix

Did you ever wonder about those labels on your prescription bottles?

"do not take with food"
"avoid dairy products"
"take with food"
"avoid grapefruit juice"
"take with water"

There's actually a strong biological basis of food and medicine interactions that can really affect how your medicines work. That's the topic of my Today Show segment.

Watch the segment from TODAY Foods interact with medicines in three different ways:

1. interfering with how the drug is absorbed and digested by the body.
2. blocking the breakdown of the medicine in the digestive track ( intestines or the liver).
3. Mimicking the effect of the medicine (acts like the medicine in the body.)

So, what about specific foods and medicines that don't mix? Always check with your doctor and/or pharmacist for advice on your specific medications.

Avoid GRAPEFRUIT JUICE If you take a cholesterol lowering agent (statins), some heart medicines, some immune system drugs, and some antihistamines.

Avoid VITAMIN K RICH FOODS (like dark green vegetables) if you take a blood thinner, like coumadin. Don't eliminate dark green veggies, but monitor your vitamin K intake carefully.

Avoid HIGH FIBER FOODS at the same time you take certain antibiotics and iron supplements.

Avoid HARD CHEESE and RED WINE if you are taking certain antidepressant medications, called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

Avoid ALCOHOL with any medications affecting the brain. This includes, antidepressants, sleeping pills, sedatives, and antihistamines.

Avoid COFFEE and CAFFEINATED DRINKS if you take anti-anxiety medication or asthma medications. The stimulant action of caffeine can be a problem.

Need more information? Read the package insert, look on-line, or ask your pharmacist or doctor. It's important to know if you need to avoid the food altogether, or only a little before or after taking your medicine.

Let me know your own experiences with food and medicine!

Comments

I understand that some antibiotics should not be taken with dairy but what about rice/soy milk? is it simply the dairy or is it the calcium that decreases the absorption?
Also, if I am taking doxycycline 2x per day with meals, that leaves one meal. Could I eat dairy at that meal or take it out of my diet completely?
Lastly, again, same situation but with folic acid. Is it ok to take folic acid with the meal where I am not taking doxycycline?
Thanks in advance...

What foods should be avoided when taking cymbalta(an anti-depressant)?

Does GREEN TEA (anti-oxidants) blocks the absorption of IRON supplements?
Do DECAFFEINATED beverages, such as tea, can avoid the effects of caffeine?

hi
drmadynisgerren

eaTINGTOMUCH

Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom shares some great information. Thanks for allowing her to educate the public. I especially appreciate when she talks about whole foods- fruits and vegetables. Most doctors take only one nutriton course if any and what do we do, but put our health in our drs. hands. It's about time we seek education and stand up for ourselves.

So, does this mean don’t eat these foods all day long . . .within two hours . . . within eight hours??? The article and the Today Show segment left this very important piece of info out.

Is it ok to take Diovan for high blood pressure with my oatmeal in the morning with my oatmeal? I asked the pharmacist who said they won't interact. You're showing oatmeal as fiber not to be taken with meds. How about waiting a few hrs?

I have discovered that when taking Synthoid you have to avoid calcium, any metals such as iron and soy. Two years after having my entire thyroid removed my doctor and i are still trying to get my thyroid level correct. Any one else experience this?

I heard you shouldn;t eat Crabmeat when taking Ciumadin....But I can't find anything to substantiate that. Marilyn

What is the deal with taking a small amount of an alcoholic drink before bedtime along with ambien? I know the label says not to but does not say why not to.

While taking high blood pressure medication, must I give up grapefruit entirely or can I eat it in the am as I take my meds at night before bed?

Hello. Your list is very helpful, however, as a woman on several neurological drugs, I have learned to stay away from certain herb teas that are so popular. For instance, I have been warned not to drink Chamomile tea and Valerian, since they also have a mild neurological affect. I still drink mint tea. Thanks for this article.