8 Food and Drug Interactions to Avoid | Mira Health
8 Food and Drug Interactions to Avoid
When you start taking a new medication, you should review any potential food and drug interactions with your provider. Alcohol, dairy products, grapefruit juice, and leafy greens can alter the effectiveness of medications or cause unwanted side effects.
Alexis Bryan
Alexis Bryan MPH, is a recent graduate of Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health. She is passionate about increasing access to care to improve health outcomes. Outside of work, she loves to travel, read, and pay too much attention to her plants.
When you start taking a new medication, you should review any potential food and drug interactions with your provider. Alcohol, dairy products, grapefruit juice, and leafy greens can alter the effectiveness of medications or cause unwanted side effects.
Food and Drug Interactions
Food and drug interactions occur when a food or beverage interferes with a medication you are taking. These interactions can happen with both prescription and some over-the-counter medications. It is essential to check for drug interactions before starting a new medication for three main reasons. Drug interactions can:
- Affect how your medication works by changing levels of the drug in your blood
- Put you at risk for side effects and toxicity
- Worsen a medical condition you may already have
Some potential side effects of a food-drug interaction include:
- Bleeding
- Blurred vision
- Bruising
- Constipation
- Coughing
- Dehydration
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Hair loss
- Headache
- Muscle pain/weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
Below we outline eight common food and drug interactions to avoid. Please note that this list is not comprehensive, so it is always important to discuss the side effects of your medications with a pharmacist or health care provider.
8 Food and Drug Interactions to Avoid
| Food | Drug | What Happens in the Body |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol | Acetaminophen (Tylenol) | Can increase risk of liver damage or stomach bleeding |
| Alcohol | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including Aspirin, Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and Naproxen (Aleve) |
Can increase risk of liver damage or stomach bleeding |
| Alcohol | Antihistamines like Benadryl | Can cause drowsiness |
| Alcohol | Insulin | Alcohol prolongs the effects of insulin, which leads to low blood sugar |
| Milk products | Antibiotics | Can decrease the absorption of the antibiotic, thus decreasing the effectiveness |
| Grapefruit juice | Cholesterol-lowering medications (Lipitor) | Can decrease the effectiveness or increase absorption resulting in a greater risk of side effects |
| Grapefruit juice | Blood pressure medication | Can increase absorption resulting in a greater risk of side effects |
| Leafy green vegetables | Blood thinners like Warfarin | Has high levels of vitamin K, which can decrease the effectiveness |
Tips to Avoid Food and Drug Interactions
- Communicate: First and most importantly, maintain open communication with your doctor or pharmacist about all of the medications you are taking. Make sure to discuss any pain relievers or other over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Don’t hesitate to ask questions – they are there to keep you healthy and informed!
- Read drug labels: On every medication, there are directions, warnings, and interactions printed on the drug warning label, including on over-the-counter drugs.
- Use the Drug Interactions Checker at https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html: Simply type the name of the drug you are taking to see any interactions.
Drug and Food Interactions Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Starting a new medication can be scary, but your doctor is on your side. If you have any questions, you should not hesitate to call or make an appointment with a virtual care provider through Mira.
What should I ask my doctor about drug interactions?
You should ask your doctor any questions about the new medication you are taking! They prescribed this medication to you to help you stay healthy and are there to address all of your concerns. Some recommended questions regarding food-drug interactions are:
- Do I need to avoid certain foods with my medicine?
- What happens if I eat certain foods with my medication?
- Are there any other substances I need to avoid?
- Is there a certain time of day I should take my medicine?
- Should I take my medicine with food or on an empty stomach?
- Are there any side effects of this medication?
How common are food-drug interactions?
Not many foods or beverages interact with medications, but there are some to be aware of, like alcohol, dairy, grapefruit juice, and leafy greens. Drug interactions also depend on:
- The total number of medications you take
- Age, kidney, and liver function
- Diet and possible drug interactions
- Medical conditions
- Your genetics
Does it matter if I take medication on a full or empty stomach?
Some medicines should be taken on a full or empty stomach, while the timing of other medications does not matter. It is always important to speak to a doctor or pharmacist to see what time of day you should take your medications.
Some ways that you may be advised to take a medication include:
- On an empty stomach (one hour before eating or two hours after eating)
- With food (while eating)
- On a full stomach (after eating)
Taking your medications at the wrong time can lower their effectiveness and potentially cause stomach pain.
Bottom Line
If you have any questions about food-drug interactions, have new side effects, or start to feel worse after starting a new medicine, it is a great time to review your medications with a health care provider.