You snooze you lose?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic commonly used to treat infections in the gum, skin, teeth, and conditions such as bacterial vaginosis. Mixing it with alcohol can lead to a number of unpleasant (sometimes severe) side effects.
These can range from flushing, sweating, and headaches, to nausea and severe vomiting. The drug interferes with alcohol metabolism, so it’s recommended to wait at least 48h before drinking after taking metronidazole.
Potassium is important in regulating the heartbeat, maintaining fluid balance, and other functions. Too much of it can, however, interact with certain blood pressure medications and lead to an abnormal heartbeat.
Potassium-rich foods such as spinach, avocados, potatoes, and bananas can interfere with blood pressure medications such as ACE inhibitors.
Mayonnaise, as well as oils such as olive oil, soybean, and canola, can also interact with warfarin.
Warfarin is a popular blood thinner. Green leafy veggies such as kale, spinach, and broccoli, are rich in vitamin K. Vitamin K can make this blood-thinning drug less effective.
A 2019 case report mentions two patients who developed hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood). Both were taking ACE inhibitors along with spironolactone, and had been eating around seven bananas per day over at least a couple of weeks.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that a person taking warfarin shouldn’t eat these veggies at all, however. Consistency in the diet is what matters. "I've certainly taken care of people on warfarin who've been stable for a long time and they eat spinach, kale, collard greens, every meal of the day. The problem comes when somebody eats a spinach salad every day for a few weeks until the bag of spinach runs out, and then goes the next week without eating any” explains Tasha Woodall, associate director of pharmacotherapy at the Mountain Area Health Education Center.
Licorice uses the same receptors as spironolactone, so the medication won’t be effectively absorbed by the body if taken together.
Spironolactone is a diuretic (water pill). Used to treat a number of conditions, including fluid build-up due to heart failure, high blood pressure, and regulating blood potassium levels. Licorice, regardless of how it’s consumed (e.g. candy, tea, etc.), can interact with this drug.
Those diagnosed with hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) are often prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid) and told to take it on an empty stomach. This is because any food can block absorption of the drug.
SSRIs are antidepressants that are used in the management of depression and anxiety. Mixing these with alcohol can lead to gastrointestinal bleeding.
Alcohol can interact with insulin and other diabetes drugs, putting the patient at risk of either too low (hypoglycemia) or too high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar.
Some antihistamines, taken for allergies, may have a drowsy effect. Mixing these with alcohol can make the levels of sedation even higher.
Research shows that meals containing more than 500 calories optimize absorption of ziprasidone.
Sources: (U.S. New) (Cleveland Clinic) (Everyday Health) (Health Digest) (Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia)
See also: Supercharge your health with these nutrient-dense foods
Ziprasidone (Geodon) is an antipsychotic drug often prescribed to patients who suffer from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. While there isn’t a particular food that interacts with it, how much you eat can interact with its absorption.
When consumed with high-protein foods such as meat or fish, it will have to compete with other amino acids to be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. As such, it’s recommended to take these separately from high-protein foods.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine, are commonly used as antidepressants. Foods rich in tyramine, which is an amino acid that helps regulate blood pressure, can negatively interact with MAOIs.
Those undergoing chemo with vincristine and docetaxel should not be consuming grapefruit. The same goes for those taking immune-suppressing drugs like cyclosporine, often prescribed to patients who had transplants.
Yes, it’s grapefruit again. Both allergy medications containing fexofenadine and ED drugs like Viagra (sildenafil) may be affected by grapefruit consumption.
People with Parkinson's disease have a dopamine deficit in their brains. Medications such as carbidopa and levodopa convert to dopamine in the brain.
High-tyramine foods include aged cheeses, smoked fish, cured meats, tofu, soy sauce, chocolate, and wine, to name a few. Consuming these foods with MAOIs can lead to a sudden increase in blood pressure.
You may be tempted to pop some acetaminophen/paracetamol when you’re hungover, but it turns out, it may actually be dangerous to do so.
Calcium channel blockers such as felodipine and nifedipine are used for high blood pressure and angina. These are known to interact with grapefruit, which contains a compound that inhibits an enzyme that metabolizes the drug. This can result in a higher concentration of the drug in your system, which can be dangerous.
Antibiotics that can interact with dairy include fluoroquinolones such as moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin.
The same applies to statins such as atorvastatin and simvastatin, which are used to manage high cholesterol. Consuming grapefruit or grapefruit juice “ can potentially result in fluctuating levels of that medication in the body," says Mandy Leonard, senior director of pharmacy at Cleveland Clinic.
This is because when Acetaminophen/Paracetamol is combined with alcohol, the risk of liver toxicity increases. While some people are more susceptible to acetaminophen/paracetamol-induced liver toxicity than others, those who drink regularly may be at a higher risk.
Some antibiotics may interact with dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. This is because dairy products bind to some antibiotics and interfere with their absorption in the bloodstream.
Some tetracyclines can also interact with dairy products. The risk can be minimized by avoiding dairy products at least two hours before taking your meds.
In this gallery, you'll get to know all about food and medication interactions you should avoid. Click on.
Foods that become dangerous if you're taking certain medications
Beware of these food and medication interactions
HEALTH Interactions
We often read and are advised about drug interactions, but some of the foods we consume can also affect how some drugs are absorbed and used by our bodies. Indeed, some foods can interfere with the effectiveness of some medications, and others can even lead to quite serious health problems. You may be familiar with examples such as alcohol, but how about foods like grapefruit or mayonnaise?
In this gallery, you'll get to know all about food and medication interactions you should avoid. Click on.