pineapple grapefruit juice! (Photo credit: shutterbean)
I thought this was an important article to pass on. It was posted on Yahoo today from Prevention magazine by Molly Raisch.
TAKE MEDS WITH THE RIGHT BEVERAGE
Before you wash down medication with just any beverage, watch out; common drinks, from fruit juice to coffee, can lessen the effectiveness of certain drugs as well as pose serious health threats when combined with some prescriptions. Medical toxicologist Leslie Dye, MD, FACMT outlined the top alarming combos.
Grapefruit Juice
Grapefruit juice negatively interacts with more than 50 medications, including statins. Because the effects of the citrus juice last more than 24 hours, simply taking your meds at a different time won’t solve the problem.
Pomegranate Juice
An enzyme found in pomegranate juice can break down several blood pressure prescriptions.
Milk, Soy Milk, Milk-Based Smoothies
Calcium can interfere with the effectiveness of thyroid medication. Wait at least 4 hours after dosage to drink any calcium-rich beverages.
Coffee, Green Tea, and Energy Drinks
Caffeine can pose a serious health threat when taken with stimulants. Avoid a cup of joe when taking ephedrine (appetite suppressants), asthma prescriptions, and amphetamines (such as Adderall).
Sports Drinks
The potassium in these drinks can be dangerous when coupled with some heart failure or hypertension drugs. Bananas are also very rich in potassium.
Wine (or Energy Drinks)
Skip the dinnertime glass of wine when taking antidepressants; the combo can cause hypertension, headaches, fast heart rate, and stroke. The same goes for energy drinks.
Green Tea (with Vitamin K)
Vitamin K, also found in broccoli and kale, can decrease the effect of blood thinners such as coumarin (warfarin)
I know I was surprised by some of this. I knew about the grapefruit juice because my pharmacy now advises this but not about the others. I do think the pharmacist should know about this and advise the patient. However, they are not doing so, in my neck of the woods anyways.
Have a Great Day!
Donna
Related articles
- Grapefruit and medication interations and effects (naturalhealthezine.com)
THE BODY PRINCIPLE 