The interaction between foods and medications can cause:
Any type of food is capable of causing food-drug interactions, depending on the following factors:
Importantly, caffeine and alcohol can also cause food-drug interactions.
For certain medicines, taking food on a full or empty stomach can have a significant effect on its function. This is because the digestive process that breaks down the food we eat, can also affect medicines. Unfortunately, there is no general rule on when is the best time to take medicines. This differs greatly between medicines. Therefore, it is important to follow the directions on the medicine label, or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Below are explanation of common instructions found on medicine labels.
| Instruction: Take on an empty stomach. | |
|---|---|
| Explanation | Examples |
| Take 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals. | Some antibiotics don't work as well if taken with food. |
| Instruction: Don't take with certain foods. | |
| Explanation | Examples |
| Don't take within 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals containing the specified food to avoid. | Some osteoporosis medications don't work well when taken with calcium-rich foods, such as milk, yoghurt and calcium supplements. |
| Instruction: Don't eat certain foods at all. | |
| Explanation | Examples |
| Avoid taking the specified food altogether while on the medication. | Some cholesterol-lowering medicines, heart medicines and several other common medicines are affected by grapefruit juice. Even a small amount of grapefruit juice can have a significant effect on these medicines. |
| Instruction: Eat consistent amounts of certain foods. | |
| Explanation | Examples |
| Don't change your diet during the course you are on the medication. | Warfarin (known as Coumadin or Marevan), a blood-thinning medicine, is affected by vitamin K in the diet. Rather than avoid vitamin K-rich foods altogether (such as green vegetables, egg yolks, chickpeas or lentils), it is preferable to eat a consistent amount of these foods. This will allow your doctor to prescribe a predictable dose of warfarin, which prevents unwanted complications. |
| Instruction: Take with meals. | |
| Explanation | Examples |
| Take at meal times or up to half an hour before or after meals. | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are commonly used as pain-relief medications (such as ibuprofen or aspirin), can cause indigestion and stomach ulcers if taken on an empty stomach. |
| Instruction: Take at the same time, each time. | |
| Explanation | Examples |
| Take at the time directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Generally, even if not advised, taking medicines at a set time each day also helps you remember to take them. | Frusemide, a heart medication, is taken at set times of the day (morning and/or lunchtime) to reduce unnecessary side effects, such as frequent urination at night. |
A type of fat produced by the body that is necessary for metabolism.
In general, alcohol tends to affect most medicines. This is because both alcohol and most medicines are broken down by the liver. Therefore, alcohol competes with these medicines leading to:
In most cases it is best to not take medicines with alcohol. Take medicines either one hour before drinking alcohol or once alcohol is no longer in your system.
Caffeine, which is the active ingredient in coffee, but also found in tea, many soft drinks and even chocolate, can interact with certain medicines. In fact, caffeine is deliberately added to some prescription and over-the-counter medicines to treat tiredness and improve the effect of some pain-relief medicines. However, studies have shown that drugs like antidepressants, thyroid medicines and osteoporosis drugs can be affected by coffee. The absorption of osteoporosis and thyroid medicines can be reduced by coffee, whereas some antidepressants, antibiotics and certain asthma drugs can increase caffeine's effects, causing a rapid heart rate and a jittery feeling. Usually, moderate intake of coffee is generally safe (less than four cups per day). However, it is best to discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned.
The following is a list of conditions for which food and drug interactions are common. It is not complete and is intended as a guide only. Always read the label and speak to your doctor and pharmacist before trying any new medications or changing your dosage.
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Antihistamines are a class of medications commonly used to treat allergies. There is a range of antihistamines, some of whom cause drowsiness. |
| Examples | Interactions |
Loratadine Cetirizine Fexofenadine | Alcohol can interact with antihistamines, making you even drowsier. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heart conditions | ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors are used to lower blood pressure and treat heart failure. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Lisinopril Ramipril Enalopril | ACE inhibitors increase the level of potassium in your body. Too much potassium can cause heart palpitations and abnormal heart rhythms, so if you take ACE inhibitors, it is best to limit the amount of foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas, dried apricots and green leafy vegetables. Only use potassium supplements if advised by your doctor. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heart conditions | Beta-blockers are a class of medications used to reduce the strain on the heart by slowing the heart rate, reducing the strength of the heartbeat, and lowering blood pressure. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Carvedilol Metoprolol | Carvedilol is best taken with food. Carvedilol tablets are not meant to be crushed, chewed or split. Extended-release capsules are best taken in the morning with food. Metoprolol is best taken with a meal or immediately after a meal. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heart conditions | Diuretics work to remove water, sodium and chloride from your body. They can be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Hydrochlorothiazide Spironolactone Frusemide. | Diuretics can be taken with food if they cause an upset stomach. Some diuretics can result in decreased levels of potassium, magnesium and calcium, while others have the opposite effect - they raise the level of potassium by blocking the kidneys' excretion of it. To avoid the complications associated with abnormal potassium levels, it is important that you talk to your doctor or pharmacist for specific advice about the medicine you are taking. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heart conditions | Statins lower the production of 'bad' cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein - LDL). Some of them also lower triglycerides, or increase 'good' cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein - HDL). |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Pravastatin Atorvastatin Simvastatin Rosuvastatin | Most statins can be taken on a full or empty stomach. Grapefruit juice is best avoided as it can increase the chances of side effects. Alcohol is also best avoided while taking statins as it can result in liver damage. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heart conditions | Digoxin is a medication that makes the heart beat more slowly and with more force. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Digoxin | Digoxin is best taken an hour before or two hours after eating. High-fiber foods can lower the amount of digoxin in your body, so digoxin is best taken at least two hours before eating foods high in fiber. Senna and St John's wort can also lower the level of digoxin and are best avoided. Black licorice taken with digoxin can cause irregular heartbeats and heart attack, so it too is best avoided. Digoxin is meant to be taken at the same time every day. Follow the directions on the label and from your doctor carefully. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heart conditions | Nitrates reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels in the body. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Isosorbide dinitrate Nitroglycerin | Alcohol is best avoided, as it can further relax the blood vessels, which can lead to dangerously low blood pressure. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heart conditions | Anticoagulants are a class of medications used to reduce blood clotting. They are used to prevent disorders caused by blood clots. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Warfarin Clexane | Warfarin can be taken on a full or empty stomach. Eating large amounts of foods that are high in vitamin K, or suddenly changing the amount of them you eat, can make warfarin treatment less safe and effective. Examples of foods high in vitamin K include broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts, cabbage and turnip. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Chronic pain and arthritis | Pain-relieving medications (analgesics). |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Codeine ibuprofen Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | Alcohol can interact with pain-relieving medications, increasing the chances of liver damage, causing drowsiness (with codeine and morphine), and resulting in stomach bleeding (with NSAIDs). It is a good idea to take food with NSAIDs to prevent any stomach upsets. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Heartburn | Proton pump inhibitors decrease the amount of stomach acid. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Esomeprazole Omeprazole Pantoprazole | Esomeprazole and omeprazole are best taken at least an hour before a meal. Pantoprazole can be taken on a full or empty stomach. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Hypothyroidism | Thyroid hormone replacement. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Thyroxine | Levothyroxine is best taken on an empty stomach in the morning, at least 30-60 minutes before eating. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Infections | Depending on the type of infection, a range of different medications can be used. |
| Examples | Interactions |
Antibiotics Antivirals Antifungals | Alcohol is best avoided. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Osteoporosis | Biphosphonates are used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. They work by preventing the breakdown of bone and improving bone density. |
| Examples | Interactions |
Alendronate Ibandronate Risedronate | Biphosphonates only work when taken on an empty stomach. They are best taken early in the morning with a small amount of plain water, not mineral water. Do not lie down for least 30 minutes after taking alendronate or risedronate, or for an hour after taking ibanodronate. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Mental health | Benzodiazepines are a family of medications used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. |
| Examples | Interactions |
Alprazolam Clonazepam Diazepam Lorazepam | Alcohol is best avoided as it can worsen the medications' side effects, such as drowsiness. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Mental health | Antidepressants are used to treat a range of problems, not just depression. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Citalopram Escitalopram Fluoxetine Paroxetine Sertraline | Antidepressants can be taken on a full or empty stomach. Paroxetine is meant to be swallowed whole, and not to be crushed or chewed. Alcohol is best avoided as it can worsen the medications' side effects, such as drowsiness. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Mental health | Antipsychotics are used to treat bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Clozapine Olanzapine Risperidone Ziprasidone | Ziprasidone capsules are meant to be taken with food. The other medications can be taken on a full or empty stomach. When taking clozapine, it is best to avoid caffeine, as it can increase the levels of the drug in your blood, resulting in side effects. Alcohol taken with any antipsychotic medication can worsen its side effects, such as drowsiness. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Mental health | Mood stabilizers are medications given to treat the symptoms of bipolar disorder. It is not yet completely clear how they work. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Carbamazepine Lamotrigine | Lithium is meant to be taken immediately after a meal. Lithium can result in sodium loss, so it is necessary to maintain a diet that includes salt and plenty of water. Alcohol is best avoided because it can worsen the medications' side effects, such as drowsiness. |
| Condition | Medicine |
|---|---|
| Sleep disorders | Sedatives and hypnotics are medications given to people who have difficulty sleeping. |
| Examples | Interactions |
| Zolpidem Zopiclone | It is best not to take these medications with or immediately after a meal, or while drinking alcohol. |
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are medications that allow the blood vessels to relax and dilate. They can be used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
Substances that hinder the activity of hormones such as adrenaline by blocking the beta receptors, found in many organs but particularly the heart and blood vessels. These are used to treat a range of conditions including high blood pressure and migraines.
A type of fat produced by the body that is necessary for metabolism.
Entry into the body of microorganisms that can reproduce and cause disease.
A metal element that is used in medications that treat psychiatric illnesses.
Chemical compounds containing a particular chemical group made up of one nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms. These can be used to dilate blood vessels and also as preservatives in food.
An acute episode of extreme and overwhelming anxiety.
Medications that inhibit or reduce the activity of proton pumps (proteins that move protons, or hydrogen atoms, across cell membranes in the body). These medications can be used to reduce the production of gastric acid in order to treat peptic ulcers and heartburn.
A chemical element and important micronutrient in the diet. It is present in salt and plays an important role in how the body controls blood pressure.
A water-soluble compound and major mineral that is essential for maintaining contractions of muscles, including the heart.
The process by which blood changes from a liquid to a semi-solid state, usually to seal off any sites of bleeding. This is also known as coagulation.
Also known as bone mineral density, it is a measure of bone strength calculated as the mineral content per square centimeter of bone. The higher the mineral content, the denser and stronger the bones.
Proteins that combine with excess cholesterol to remove it from the blood or artery walls, transport it to the liver and excrete it from the body. High levels of high-density lipoproteins lower the risk of heart disease, whereas low levels increase that risk.
Proteins that combine with and transport fats in the blood. About 70% of cholesterol fat is transported by these proteins. High levels of low-density lipoproteins can lead to deposits on walls of arteries, leading to atherosclerosis.