5 FOOD CATEGORIES THAT CAN INTERACT WITH YOUR MEDICATION

Several foods have the potential to interact with medications, affecting their effectiveness or leading to side effects. Depending on your specific circumstances, it may be essential to allow a specific time gap between eating and taking your medication. In certain situations, you might need to entirely abstain from particular foods during your treatment or carefully monitor your consumption of these foods. Here are five categories of foods that frequently interact with medications:

CALCIUM-RICH FOODS (DAIRY PRODUCTS, ENRICHED PLANT-BASED BEVERAGES AND FRUIT JUICES)

Calcium has the potential to bind with multiple medications, such as specific antibiotics and osteoporosis treatments, hindering their absorption in the body. This interference can compromise the effectiveness of the treatment.

To circumvent this interaction, it is advisable to take the medication a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes before or two hours after consuming calcium-rich foods (including calcium supplements or multivitamins with calcium) or as per the pharmacist’s recommendations.

GRAPEFRUIT

Grapefruit (as well as pomelo, lime, and Seville oranges) contains a substance that reduces the ability of the liver to break down and eliminate certain medications, especially those used to lower cholesterol, treat hypertension or arrythmia, or those that act on the immune system.

Because of this, the amount of medication in the blood can increase, raising the risks of side effects.

Since grapefruit’s effects on the liver can persist for up to three days, you will likely need to avoid grapefruit altogether during your treatment (including fresh or frozen grapefruit juice). If you have eaten grapefruit, waiting a few hours before you take your medication simply will not be enough.

VITAMIN K–RICH FOODS

Vitamin K is an essential element in the natural blood coagulation (clotting) process. Warfarin, an anticoagulant used to reduce the risk of blood clots, acts by neutralizing vitamin K.

Since this vitamin is found in foods, people on warfarin must ensure they get a steady supply of vitamin K–rich foods, to avoid vitamin K levels in their blood fluctuating too much and causing their treatment effect to suddenly spike or drop.

Foods that are rich in vitamin K include leafy green vegetables (cabbage, spinach, Swiss chard, parsley, etc.), some fruits (kiwi, rhubarb, blueberry), soy, and liver.

CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES (COFFEE, ENERGY DRINKS, SOFT DRINKS, COLA, ETC.)

Caffeine has the potential to interact with medications through various mechanisms:

  1. It may hinder the absorption of specific medications, particularly those prescribed for osteoporosis.
  2. Caffeine’s stomach-irritating effect can exacerbate similar effects caused by certain medications when taken concurrently.
  3. Some drugs, such as antibiotics, can reduce the body’s capacity to metabolize caffeine, potentially leading to caffeine overdose symptoms like palpitations, trembling, and excessive sweating.
  4. Caffeine can intensify the concentration of certain antipsychotic medications.

It’s crucial to consult your pharmacist to determine whether caffeine might interact with your prescribed medication.

POTASSIUM-RICH FOODS

Some medications used to treat high blood pressure or heart failure can cause higher concentrations of potassium in the body. Excessive intake of potassium can lead to heart problems like irregular heartbeat or palpitations.

Other medications, including certain diuretics, can cause a drop in potassium blood levels.

People taking these medications should follow their doctor’s recommendations for eating foods rich in potassium like bananas, leafy greens, or oranges. Depending on your situation, your doctor may ask that you reduce your potassium intake, maintain it at the same level, or increase it.

If you need to monitor your potassium intake, be careful when using salt-replacement seasonings, as they can be very high in potassium.

GOT QUESTIONS?

It is important you follow your doctor’s and pharmacist’s instructions carefully regarding certain food-drug interactions, to ensure your treatment is effective and to reduce the risk of side effects. If you’re not sure, ask your pharmacist.

If you need help incorporating food recommendations into your daily diet, consult a registered dietitian. Some pharmacies may also have a dietician on site who could offer these recommendations.