Drug Interactions - Some of Man's Foods, Herbs, and Drugs Affecting Medication || June 12, 2023

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Hi community friends, lots neen days I posted in the community though still very much active from the back lines and monitoring events as they unfold in the community. It has never been a rosy period for some of but we shall continue to soldier on through the obvious tides of the time.

I came across a topic I will like to share with us and this happens to be something we indulge in and probably do not know that it occurs as we do them. Everyone consumes food, sometimes herbs, and some other medication. But it will interest us to also understand that these habits interact with our medications.

I will be taking us a little around on a topic I term Drug Interactions. There is no doubt that the food, herbs, and other drugs we consume affect some if not all of the medications we take. Yes, your thoughts are as good as mine. Just as Medications are seen to interact with other prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs we take. So does this also interact with the food/herbs we consume?

There is the basis for this that the food, herbs, or drugs we consume are likely going to increase or decrease the effects of the medication we do. Sometimes prevent the medication from working or decreases or increases the side effects. We have to really pay attention to details as this distortion may likely spring up new side effects.

This will also take us to that consciousness of letting our physicians know the herbs or routine drugs we take. This would help him or her authenticate if the right combination is carried. In cases where food is also unsure of their interactions, we can always relate to them. A dietician can also play a major role in this aspect of food selection vis-a-vis the person's health status and blood group type.

Let's take a look at some of the items we should be expecting such interactions with;

Grape Fruits:

Themis fruit has been earmarked as one of the most commonly consumed goods by men that distort the medication status of over 50 drug medications by affecting their metabolism and activities when ingested. However, the effects of its activities on medication vary. In some cases, it gets up the blood levels of some medicines just like in statins or antihistamine fexofenadine. It primarily affects downwards the blood levels of medicine as well as its effectiveness to work in the victims.

Dairy Products ( Milk, Cheese, or Yogurt)

These are products that have the propensity to interfere with certain antibiotics. Some nutrients in dairy products like calcium, magnesium, and casein may be seen to prevent or delay the absorption of certain medications in the body. When prescribed medications by your physician, endeavor to inquire if you can take dairy products alongside with them. However, to minimize the risk, one may reduce the consumption of this product.

Licorice:

Licorice is the flavoring content found in gum, sweets, and candy. No doubt, it is that herbal remedy that helps to soothe the stomach vis-a-vis its digestion. There are other compounds in Licorice build one of them is Glycyrrhizin. This compound tends to reduce the effectiveness of ingested medication just like the Immunosuppressant Cyclosporine

It is dangerous when taking medication for a heart condition while already having the presence of glycyrrhizin. Glycyrrhizin and digoxin combination may be unlikely for human ingestion as this compound would provoke an irregular heartbeat and possibly a heart attack. Patients with high blood pressure should also stay away from this compound from gum, sweets, and candy.

Chocolates:

There are several lovers of chocolates among us. Chocolate is high in the tyramine compound which makes it not palatable if taking some kind of medication. In combination with MAO inhibitors could lead to a dangerous rise in blood pressure.

Consuming dark chocolates have high contents of caffeine which is observed to interfere with the activities of medicine especially while treating Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders (ADHD), like Ritalin (methylphenidate).

Most importantly, while taking sedatives for sleep such as zolpidem tartrate (Ambien), we should endeavor to stay away from chocolate consumption.

Iron Supplement Intake:

Intake of supplements that contain iron should be checked when taking medication. It is observed to interfere with several drugs. Iron decreases the absorption of antibiotics, ACE inhibitors that treat Blood Pressure.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs are also known to decrease the absorption of iron in the body. We should always ask our physician to know if our medics would interfere with our iron supplement.

Alcoholic Intake:

The consumption of alcoholic substances would always have a toll on our medication. Some of the interactions with our drugs may bring about symptoms like nausea, vomiting, headaches, fainting, dizziness, and blood pressure levels. Many effects of drugs are hampered by an increased effect when we consume alcoholic substances. Sedatives and antidepressants are all increased by alcoholic consumption.

A combination of it with narcotics may likely result in coma and death while nitrate may lead to Low Blood Pressure. Taking pain relievers or acetaminophen may likely cause Liver damage. How about those taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), there's a greater risk of stomach bleeding.

Conclusion

There are many other food, herbs, and drugs that are likely to interfere with our medications not listed above. However, we must be keen to always ask our physicians where we are unsure of some of these side effects.

Thank you for reading... ✍️