Food-drug interactions.

Tips from your pharmacist… Which ones really matter?

Clinical Services Department MC-21

Food-drug interactions

What is an interaction?

We talk about interaction when a medication does not exert the expected effect due to the presence of a food that modifies its effectiveness. This may be due to the simple presence of food in the gastrointestinal tract, but also by some natural or added component, or even by vitamin or mineral supplements.

• Medicines and foods can interact both positively, for example, favoring their absorption, and negatively, preventing their absorption.

• The interactions are varied and can range from increasing the toxicity of a drug by taking it with certain foods, to eliminating its effect by taking it with others.

• It is of great importance that the patient knows the medication he is taking, what it is for and how he should take it in relation to meals.

• When several medications are taken, you should know which ones can be taken together and which ones should be taken alone.

One of the most common questions patients ask about their medication is, "Should I take this with or without food?" In most cases, medications can be given without regard to meals. However, some foods, even healthy ones, can make your medications less effective. Therefore, the most appropriate question is "What foods should I avoid taking with mymedications?"

Specific indications

It is essential that the patient follows the specific instructions of the health professional.

In "fasting," means that the medication should be taken at least one hour before eating or two hours after you have finished the meal. Some of the medications that are taken completely on an empty stomach with water alone, are thyroid medications (levothyroxine or Synthroid) and osteoporosis medications such as bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate and ibandronate).

And when they indicate "with meals", it means during or immediately after eating. The option of taking a medication with meals is usually used to reduce gastric discomfort that it may cause, and sometimes to promote its absorption. Griseofulvin, for example, is a medication for the fungus that must be taken with a high-fat meal so that it is properly absorbed.

Food- drug interactions.

Food-drug interactions

PRECAUTIONS

Always ask your pharmacist questions about the correct way to take your medications. As medication experts, pharmacists can inform you about the risk of possible interactions between foods and medications. These are some serious interactions between foods and medications your pharmacist can help you prevent:

Calcium-rich foodsDairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese can interfere with:

Certain antibiotics such as tetracycline, doxycycline and ciprofloxacin. These can bind calcium in milk, forming an insoluble substance in the stomach that the intestine cannot absorb.

They also decrease the absorption of iron supplements for anemia, which are best taken with a mild acid such as orange juice.

Pickled, cured and fermented foodsThese foods contain tyramine, which has been associated with a dangerous increase in blood pressure among patients taking certain antidepressants, and also with certain medications for Parkinson's disease.

Foods rich in vitamin KKale, spinach and other green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which is vital for the production of clotting factors that facilitate blood clotting and help prevent bleeding. Anticoagulants such as warfarin, which acts by inhibiting vitamin K, are affected with increased intake of these foods, increasing the likelihood of clot formation.

REFERENCES:http://espanol.arthritis.org/espanol/ejercicio/dieta-nutricion/algunos-alimentos-interfieren-con-los-medicamentos/https://www.healthychildren.org/Spanish/healthy-living/nutrition/Paginas/Food-and-Medication-Interactions.aspxhttps://www.farmaceuticonline.com/es/interaccion-medicamentos-y-alimentos/https://www.elsevier.es/es-revista-offarm-4-articulo-interacciones-alimentos-medicamentos-consejos-desde-farmacia-13026485https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/consumer-healthcare/medication-information/medication-interactions-food-supplements-and-other-drugshttps://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/5-dangerous-food-drug-interactionshttps://www.uspharmacist.com/article/fooddrug-interactions

AlcoholIt is not a food per se, but drug interactions with alcohol are numerous and important, so always be careful to mix any medication with alcohol. The list of medications that have sedative properties when used with alcohol is almost endless. Some examples are medications for anxiety, depression, seizures, allergies, pain, insomnia, muscle relaxants and even antibiotics such as metronidazole. When these medications are taken simultaneously with alcohol, patients have an increased risk of drowsiness, respiratory depression and motor deficiency, which can lead to falls, accidents and injuries.

Grapefruit or Grapefruit juiceOne of the best known interactions between food and medications is grapefruit juice or its fruit and certain medications to reduce levels of LDL or bad cholesterol, known as statins: atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor) and lovastatin (Mevacor). Grapefruit juice, in large quantities (32 ounces or more per day), increases the amount of blood in these medications thereby increasing the possibility of side effects, especially the destruction of skeletal muscle.

Healthy eating is essential for people managing health conditions. In fact, it can help reverse a health condition or reduce the need for medications. But remember that even healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables, can cause involuntary and possibly dangerous interactions with certain medications.

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