Food and Drug Combos

More than 65% of Americans take prescription medication. What you eat and drink could affect how well your medication works, or it may cause new or worsening side effects. After reviewing several studies, the FDA found that adverse drug reactions (ADRs) account for 106,000 deaths. Another 350,000 ADRs occur in nursing homes annually.

Review these everyday food-drug interactions:

• Some medications, such as fever reducers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, statins and blood thinners, should not be taken if you drink heavily. Other medications, such as nitrates for chest pain and narcotic medication, are dangerous when taken with alcohol. Tell your doctor about your alcohol habits.
• Grapefruit juice contains furanocoumarins, a class of compounds not found in other citrus fruits. Depending on the medication type, grapefruit juice may cause more of the drug to stay in your system longer, putting you at risk of an overdose or reducing the amount of medication absorbed by your body, decreasing the drug's effectiveness. Medications such as statins, blood pressure drugs and birth control can be affected by grapefruit juice. Avoid drinking large amounts within a few hours of taking your medication.
• High-potassium foods and ACE inhibitors. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors treat heart failure and high blood pressure. It also increases the amount of potassium in your body. If you eat foods rich in potassium with ACE inhibitors, you may develop a racing or irregular heartbeat. Bananas, oranges and leafy green veggies are all high in potassium.
• Broccoli, kale, spinach and other leafy, green veggies are high in vitamin K, which helps with blood clotting. Too much vitamin K can interfere with the effectiveness of blood thinners such as warfarin.

Whether prescription or over-the-counter (OTC), all medications come with a detailed label. Nobody likes reading the fine print, but knowing what's on your drug label can help you safely get the most out of your medication.

Your label contains instructions about when and how to take your medicine. Follow these instructions carefully — some medicine needs to be taken with a meal, while other medicines should be taken on an empty stomach. Your label may also contain warnings about food-drug interactions.

Ask your pharmacist if you have any questions about your prescription or OTC medication. They can also tell you if it's safe to crush or split a pill to make it easier to swallow.

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