How often do any of us actually think about the potential interaction between the food we eat and the prescription drugs we take? Sure we read those pages of instructions, potential side effects, and the cautions that come stapled to each prescription, right? Not. So we’re sending you some common interactions from our friends at AARP. In her article, 8 Scary Food – Drug Interactions, Michele Shapiro writes about the surprising Food/Drug dangers.
No Cheese, Please
Wine and beer pair perfectly with aged cheeses. Still, if you’re taking certain antidepressants — specifically, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as selegiline (Emsam)— you need to steer clear of all three. The reason: “Foods containing yeast as well as those that have been aged or fermented can cause blood pressure to spike,” says Bola Oyeyipo, a geriatrician based in San Antonio. “And that can increase the chance of stroke.”
A Dairy Don’t
Having a glass of milk every day may be a do, but using it to wash down your multivitamin with iron or your antibiotic (including tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones) is a definite don’t. Here’s why: “When ingested together, the dairy binds to the medicine and forms what’s called a complex,” Oyeyipo explains. “It doesn’t harm you, but less of the vitamin or antibiotic is absorbed.” After taking your pill, wait two hours before drinking or eating dairy products.
Bring on the D
Some anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), are prescribed not only for epilepsy but also for patients who’ve had a brain injury such as a stroke. The problem is that these drugs limit the absorption of vitamin D and calcium — nutrients that are important to bone
health and key to avoiding osteoporosis in both men and women. One solution: When on anticonvulsants, be sure to get 10 minutes of sunshine a day, take in adequate dairy, and consult a health care provider to see if you might need a supplement, says Burgin Ross, an assistant professor of nutrition at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Give up Bananas?
ACE inhibitors such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Prinivil) can be your heart’s best friend because they relax blood vessels so blood flows more smoothly. They can also increase the amount of potassium in your body, and too much potassium can cause an irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations. If on an ACE inhibitor, avoid eating large amounts of potassium-rich foods such as bananas, oranges and salt substitutes that contain potassium.
ACE inhibitors such as captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Prinivil) can be your heart’s best friend because they relax blood vessels so blood flows more smoothly. They can also increase the amount of potassium in your body, and too much potassium can cause an irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations. If on an ACE inhibitor, avoid eating large amounts of potassium-rich foods such as bananas, oranges and salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Goodbye to Grapefruit?
A half grapefruit is a great way to start the day — unless you’re taking a cholesterol-lowering statin such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) or simvastatin (Zocor). “Patients should avoid grapefruit entirely when on statins because it increases the side effects of the medication,” Oyeyipo says. The most common side effect? Muscle aches. Interestingly, oranges and lemons are fine to eat with statins.
Leafy Greens Alert
If you’re taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), you may want to regulate your consumption of dark, leafy greens. The clot-preventing drug allows blood to flow more easily by blocking the liver’s production of vitamin K, which is essential to clot formation. But green, leafy veggies such as collard greens, spinach and turnip greens are rich in vitamin K. They’re also healthy, so you shouldn’t avoid them altogether. Instead, eat them consistently — once or twice a week, every week.
Acetaminophen + Alcohol = Trouble
If you suffer from muscle aches, headaches or arthritis, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is probably your go-to analgesic. However, it can cause liver damage, and the chance for severe damage is higher if you drink three or more alcoholic beverages a day. So go ahead and have wine with dinner, but follow the recork rule and put the bottle away after a glass or two to avoid further temptation.
Fatty Foods? In This Case, Yes.
There’s an exception to every rule, and this one’s particularly delicious. When taking antifungal medications such as griseofulvin (Grifulvin V, Gris-PEG) to battle a skin fungal infection go ahead and order the cheeseburger and the fries. “These drugs work best when “These drugs work best when taken with fatty foods,” Oyeyipo says. “I tell my patients to eat something really greasy — the drug’s absorbed better that way.”
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The recommendation(s), advice and contents of this material are provided for informational purposes only and do not purport to address every possible legal obligation, hazard, code violation, loss potential or exception to good practice. Dean & Draper Insurance Agency specifically disclaims any warranty or representation that acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein will make any premises, property or operation safe or in compliance with any law or regulation. Under no circumstances should this material or your acceptance of any recommendations or advice contained herein be construed as establishing the existence or availability of any insurance coverage with Dean & Draper Insurance Agency. By providing this information to you, Dean & Draper Insurance Agency does not assume (and specifically disclaims) any duty, undertaking or responsibility to you. The decision to accept or implement any recommendation(s) or advice contained in this material must be made by you.