Drug-Food Interactions.

Drug-Food Interactions

A drug-food interaction occurs whenever your food and medicine hinder one another. Interactions can occur with both prescription and over-the-counter medicines. Included in these are antacids, vitamins, and iron pills.

Not absolutely all medicines are influenced by food. Some, though, are influenced by everything you eat or once you eat it. Going for a medicine at exactly the same time you eat could cause your body never to absorb the medicine. Or food items may delay or reduce the absorption of the drug. For instance, you ought not combine dairy and antibiotics. For this reason some medicines ought to be taken on a clear stomach (one hour before eating or 2 hours after eating).

Some medicines can’t be taken with certain forms of food. The food could cause a reaction that changes the result of the medicine. In addition, it can make or heighten unwanted effects. An example of that is having grapefruit or grapefruit juice with cholesterol drugs. Invest the an ACE inhibitor, you need to avoid foods saturated in potassium, such as for example bananas.

Alternatively, some medicines are simpler to handle when taken with food. In the event that you don’t take them with food, you might feel nauseous or dizzy. This is the case with some antibiotics.

Way to safety

Always speak to your doctor or perhaps a pharmacist before going for a new medicine. They might inform you of possible drug-food interactions. Here are more important ideas to follow.

  • Browse the prescription label on the container. In the event that you don’t understand something, ask your physician or pharmacist.
  • Read all directions, warnings, and interaction precautions. Even over-the-counter medicines could cause problems.
  • Take all medicine with the full glass of water, unless your physician lets you know otherwise.
  • Usually do not stir medicine into your meal or take capsules apart, unless your physician tells you to. This may change what sort of drug works.
  • Usually do not mix medicine into hot drinks. Heat may keep carefully the drug from working.
  • Usually do not take vitamins at exactly the same time you take other medicine. Minerals and vitamins could cause problems if taken with some drugs.
  • Never take medicine with alcohol.

Facts to consider

Going for a new medicine could be hard, especially if there’s a risk for interactions. Develop a routine when planning on taking one or all your medicines. Things that can help are:

  • Keeping a calendar for what day and time and energy to take each one of these.
  • Setting an alarm to remind one to take each one of these.
  • Utilizing a pill box to control your medicines.

When to start to see the doctor

Contact your physician if:

  • You have any questions about drug-food interactions.
  • You have unwanted effects when going for a medicine.
  • You don’t feel much better or begin to feel worse after starting a fresh medicine.

Questions to ask your physician

  • Is there a particular time of day I will take my medicine?
  • MUST I take my medicine with food or on a clear stomach?
  • Do I have to avoid food items with my medicine?
  • What goes on if I eat food items with my medicine?
  • Any kind of other substances I have to avoid?