Side effects and decrease in effectiveness: what categorically should not take medications
'10.05.2021'
Source: Health Mail.ru
Some combinations of products and pills cause side effects or reduce the effectiveness of the drug, writes "Health.Mail.ru".
Tea
Can I take medicine with tea? It contains tannin substances that distort the rate of absorption and distribution of the drug in the body. For example, if you drink tea with antidepressants, then instead of relaxation, you can achieve overexcitation of the nervous system. Tannins can react chemically with drugs to form compounds that harm the heart. So the answer is: "No, not in any way."
Mineral water
Can medicines be taken with mineral water? In some cases, yes. For example, if we are talking about a drug that has a bad effect on the digestive tract. Some types of antibiotics and iodine are justified with a glass of mineral water.
However, the components included in the composition of mineral water can significantly accelerate and enhance the effect of the drug, or vice versa, worsen its absorption. So it is better not to take pills with it in order to avoid unpredictable consequences.
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grapefruit
Grapefruit can be part of a healthy diet. It contains a lot of vitamin C and potassium, which the body needs to function properly.
But if you are using certain medications, it is better to give up this fruit. It contains substances that increase the concentration and duration of medication in the body.
Grapefruit blocks the CYP3A4 protein, which breaks down the active ingredient molecules. This leads to the fact that the drug works more actively and symptoms of overdose occur. Other fruits similar to grapefruit have the same effect - pomelo and Seville orange.
So, with what medications you can not eat grapefruit:
- Simvastatin and atorvastatin are drugs to lower cholesterol levels.
- Nifedipine is a drug used to treat high blood pressure.
- Drugs that suppress organ transplant rejection, such as cyclosporine.
- Buspirone is a sedative from the group of tranquilizers.
- Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent.
- Fexofenadine is an antiallergic drug.
Not all drugs in every group are affected by grapefruit. For more detailed information, see the instructions or ask your doctor.
fruit juices
Other fruit juices also interact with medications. For example, in addition to grapefruit, apple and orange juices negatively affect the action of fexofenadine - they reduce the concentration of the drug in the blood. These juices interfere with the transport of the drug through the small intestine into the blood by blocking special transporter proteins. Research has shown that 400 ml of apple juice reduces drug concentration by 40%. This leads to the fact that the drug does not act on the body at all.
Pomegranate and grapefruit juice enhances the effect of Kisqali, a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer.
Orange juice also reduces the effectiveness of some drugs:
- Atenolol and Celiprolol, from the group of beta-blockers (lowers high blood pressure).
- Ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin are antibiotics from the group of fluoroquinolones.
- Itraconazole from the group of antifungal drugs.
- Cyclosporine - prevents the rejection of transplanted organs.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg. I am confident that we will find more and more drugs that work in this way, ”said study author Bailey.
Scientists recommend not drinking fruit juices 2–4 hours before taking medication.
Milk and dairy products
Can medicines be taken with milk? Dairy products are high in calcium and magnesium. These are useful minerals, but if you are taking some antibiotics at the same time, then this combination can be harmful.
It will not cause side effects, but will reduce the effectiveness of the drug. Calcium and magnesium form insoluble compounds with antibiotics, because of which the latter cannot enter the bloodstream from the intestines.
Dairy products negatively affect the following antibiotics:
- tetracycline;
- minocycline;
- ciprofloxacin.
Research results have shown that even a small amount of milk, which is extremely low in calcium, seriously impairs the absorption of the drug. Doctors recommend taking antibiotics 1-2 hours before or after consuming dairy products.
There is also evidence that milk interferes with the absorption of other drugs:
- propranolol - an antihypertensive drug from the group of beta-blockers;
- mercaptopurine - used in the treatment of certain types of cancer;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as paracetamol or ibuprofen;
- omeprazole - reduces acidity in the stomach;
- spironolactone is a diuretic.
Tyramine products
Tyramine is an amino acid that increases blood pressure. Part of the daily dose is produced by the body itself, the rest is received from food. To maintain constant pressure, the body needs to regulate the amount of tyramine. For this, the enzyme monoamine oxidase breaks down tyramine as soon as there is too much of the latter.
Antidepressants from the group of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block the action of this enzyme. It is good for fighting depression. But if a person continues to consume foods with tyramine, then its concentration can greatly increase, and blood pressure will begin to rise.
MAO antidepressants include:
- isocarboxazide;
- phenelzine;
- selegiline;
- tranylcypromine.
Tyramine is found in many foods:
- Strong or aged cheeses - such as Parmesan, Camembert - or blue cheeses.
- Raw smoked sausages, pepperoni and salami.
- Smoked or processed meats.
- Corned beef or smoked fish.
- Pickled or fermented foods - sauerkraut, caviar.
- Sauces such as soy sauce, shrimp sauce, fish sauce and others.
- Soybeans and soy products.
- Dried or overripe fruits - raisins, prunes, or overripe bananas and avocados.
- Alcoholic drinks: beer, red wine, sherry and liqueurs.
- Combined products containing any of the above ingredients.
- Tyramine is also produced in overexposed and spoiled foods.
Doctors advise that you skip these foods while you are taking MAO inhibitor antidepressants.
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Alcohol
Mixing alcohol with certain medications will, at best, cause side effects: nausea and vomiting, headaches, drowsiness, fainting, or loss of coordination. At worst, it will lead to internal bleeding, heart and lung problems. Alcohol can make the medicine less effective or even useless, and can also lead to overdose and poisoning.
American National Institute for the Study of Alcohol Dependence and Alcoholism leads list of 140 drugs, and warns that this is not a complete list.
So, what medications are not allowed with alcohol?
- Antiallergic agents - loratadine, cetirizine.
- Nitroglycerine.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - paracetamol, diclofenac and others.
- Warfarin.
- Antidepressants.
- Metformin and other diabetes medications.
- Ranitidine.
- Metoclopramide.
- Antihypertensive drugs: verapamil, hydrochlorothiazide, losartan, enalapril and others.
It is better not to consume alcohol at all with all medications: there are a lot of dangerous interactions, and not all of them have been studied.
The material is published for educational purposes and is not a recommendation. ForumDaily Woman is not responsible for any diagnosis made by the reader based on the materials of the site, as well as for the consequences of self-medication, and may not share the point of view of the author or expert.
