[Fwd: foods and drugs interactions from COCO

[Guest guest]

Thought this might be of interest to all. COCO

Carl /Dottie Wolgang wrote:

> Hi Gloria,I thought that I would sent this info along, although it

> really isn't herbal, it is interesting to note since most people think

> of herbs and supplements interacting to drugs, but they think that

> foods are safe.Dottie

>

> Avoiding Food and Drug Interactions

>

> B. Bobroff

>

> Modern medicine has given us many useful drugs that not only prolong

> and save lives, but improve the quality of our lives. The beneficial

> effects of the drugs we take can be affected by the foods in our diet.

> These food and drug interactions can have dramatic, even dangerous,

> effects on the way our bodies react to drugs. The purpose of this fact

> sheet is to present the most common food and drug interactions, and to

> help you work with your health professional to see that you get the

> best results from the drugs that you must take.

>

> Basic Types of Interactions

>

> There are three major types of food and drug interactions:

>

> * Some drugs interfere with the absorption, excretion or use in the

> body of one or more nutrients.

> * Certain foods may affect (increase or decrease) the absorption of

> a drug into the body. Usually, foods and beverages interfere with

> drug absorption.

> * Certain foods may alter the chemical actions of a drug so that it

> loses its therapeutic effect on the body. Some reactions can be

> dangerous, and in rare cases can lead to death.

>

> The extent of the effects of any food and drug interaction can vary.

> Potential effects depend on the dose and the form in which the drug is

> taken (pill, liquid, etc.). Also, it will vary with the individual's

> age, sex, body weight, nutritional status and specific medical

> condition. The number of potential food and drug interactions is

> almost limitless. Interaction problems most often occur with the use

> of diuretics, oral antibiotics, anticoagulant (blood-thinning) drugs,

> anti-hypertensive drugs, thyroid and sodium com- pounds, and alcohol.

>

> Drug Effects on Nutritional Status

>

> Drugs can affect nutritional status in a number of ways: by enhancing

> excretion of certain nutrients, by interfering with nutrient

> absorption, or by decreasing the body's ability to change nutrients

> into usable forms. These effects are gradual so that the effects will

> be greater in persons taking drugs over a period of time. For these

> people, vitamin and mineral deficiencies may result. Here are some

> examples of drug effects on nutrients in the body:

>

> * Abuse of antacids can lead to phosphate deple- tion. This can

> lead to a vitamin D deficiency in severe cases. Some patients

> have developed osteomalacia (softening of the bones) due to loss

> of calcium because of a vitamin D deficiency.

> * The excessive use of diuretics ( " water pills " ) may result in the

> loss of electrolytes, mainly potassium This may put people with

> heart problems at higher risk for serious heart rhythm problems.

> In heart patients taking digitalis as well as a diuretic,

> potassium loss can make the heart more sensitive to the drug.

> People taking diuretics regularly should eat foods which are good

> sources of potassium: tomatoes, tomato juice, oranges, orange

> juice, cantaloupes, bananas, raisins, prunes, potatoes, sweet

> potatoes and winter squash.

> * Women who take oral contraceptives over a long period of time may

> develop folacin and vitamin C deficiencies, if their diets are

> inadequate in these nutrients. The best sources of folacin are

> spinach and other greens, asparagus, broccoli and lima beans.

> Excellent vitamin C sources include oranges, grapefruits, lemons

> and limes, strawberries, tomatoes, potatoes, cabbage and green

> peppers.

> * Anticonvulsant drugs, prescribed to prevent seizures, can lead to

> vitamin D and folacin deficiencies. Vitamin D is found in

> enriched milk. The use of vitamin supplements by patients taking

> these drugs should be medically monitored.

> * The antihypertension drug hydralazine can deplete the body's

> supply of vitamin B6. This vitamin is widely distributed in

> foods. Some good sources are chicken, fish, liver, whole grain

> breads and cereals, egg yolks, bananas and potatoes.

> * Several drugs, including colchicine (used to treat acute gout),

> oral antidiabetic agents, and the antibiotic neomycin can impair

> absorption of vitamin B12. Since most Americans have good vitamin

> B12 stores in their livers, only long-term use of these drugs is

> likely to cause a deficiency. Persons who do not eat any animal

> products (vegans) may have poorer vitamin B12 status and may be

> at greater risk for a deficiency when taking one of these drugs.

>

> Food Effects on Drug Absorption

>

> * The calcium in milk and milk products such as yogurt and cheese

> decreases the absorption of certain antibiotics, including

> tetracycline. These foods should not be eaten at the same time

> this drug is taken, so that the full dosage of the drug is

> available for adequate treatment of the infection.

> * Ascorbic acid-containing juices such as orange and grapefruit

> juices enhance absorption of iron supplements. It is recommended

> that if you take an iron supplement you should take it with this

> type of beverage, if possible.

> * In general, it is not recommended that you take drugs with soda

> pop or high acid fruit or vegetable juices. These beverages can

> cause excess stomach acidity which can dissolve some drugs before

> they reach the intestine. Since drugs are mostly absorbed into

> the body in the intestines, this will decrease the amount of drug

> that can get into your body. Check with your doctor before taking

> drugs with these types of beverages.

> * Sometimes certain foods can speed up absorption of a drug. For

> example, fatty foods increase absorption of griseofulvin, a drug

> used to treat fungus infections.

>

> Food Effects on Drug Utilization

>

> * Liver and green leafy vegetables can decrease the effect of

> anticoagulants (blood-thinning drugs). These foods contain

> vitamin K, which helps promote blood clotting. On the other hand,

> aspirin and aspirin-containing compounds can enhance the effect

> of the blood-thinning drug and promote excessive bleeding.

> Aspirin should only be used on the advice of your doctor if you

> are taking anticoagulants.

> * One of the most hazardous food and drug inter- actions is that

> between monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors and aged or fermented

> foods. MAO inhibitors are used to treat depression and high blood

> pressure. They decrease the metabo- lism in the body of compounds

> called monoa- mines. MAO inhibitors can react with a substance

> called tyramine (a monoamine) in foods such as aged cheese,

> Chianti wine, chicken livers, pickled herring, fava beans and

> others. As a result, blood pressure can rise to dangerous levels,

> causing severe headaches, brain hemorrhage and, in extreme cases,

> death.

> * Natural licorice contains a substance which can increase blood

> pressure when eaten in large amounts. Long-term use of licorice

> and licorice-flavored candy or drugs can counteract the effect of

> high blood pressure medication.

>

> Potential Effects of Sodium and Alcohol

>

> People on sodium-restricted diets usually are advised not to add extra

> salt to their food and to avoid foods naturally high in sodium. They

> may not know that some prescription and over-the-counter drugs can add

> significantly to a total day's sodium intake. For a person who is

> following a 2-gram, sodium-restricted diet, drugs can contain almost

> one-half of the total daily allowance. Check with your pharmacist to

> see if the prescription and over-the-counter drugs you are taking

> contain sodium.

>

> Alcohol should be thought of as a drug. Even small amounts of alcohol

> are known to interact with many drugs, including certain antibiotics

> and allergy medicines, blood thinners and sleeping pills. According to

> the FDA Drug Bulletin listing of the l00 most-frequently-prescribed

> drugs, more than half contain at least one ingredient known to

> interact adversely with alcohol. The medical toll for alcohol-related

> interactions is high, including an estimated 2,500 deaths and 47,000

> emergency room admissions each year.

>

> The chart on the previous page can be used as a guide to assist you in

> preventing food and drug interactions for some of the most commonly

> used drugs. If a drug you are taking is not included in the list,

> check with your physician or pharmacist.

>

> Some Final Guidelines to Help You Use Drugs Wisely

>

> By now you are aware that the interaction of foods and drugs is a

> complex problem. Researchers cannot always predict whether a new drug

> will react with a food or if a drug that's been in use for some time

> will react with a new food. And you, as the consumer, cannot be

> expected to know everything about the drug. Then, what can you do to

> get the greatest benefit from drugs with the least risk? The following

> guidelines will assist you in preventing problems and getting the most

> from the medicines that you must take (also see Table 1):

>

> * When your doctor prescribes a medicine, be sure to mention all

> other drugs that you take, even on an occasional basis--including

> alcohol and over-the-counter agents such as aspirin, antacids and

> laxatives. If you don't know the amount and types of drugs you

> are taking, take the bottles with you when you visit your doctor.

> Keep in your wallet a list of all drugs that you are taking.

> * Be sure you understand when and how the product should be taken

> and then follow directions (for example, with meals, before

> meals, or after meals). Your pharmacist should have labels that

> can be pasted on the bottle to remind you when and how the drug

> should be taken.

> * Tell your doctor about any changes or ill effects you have after

> taking the drug and any unusual symptoms that occur after eating

> certain foods. Use the telephone. Don't wait until your next

> visit.

> * Taking drugs with a full glass of water is generally the safest

> way and, in many cases, it may help prevent irritation of the

> stomach lining.

> * If you take any drug, don't use alcohol without checking with

> your doctor first to see if it will be safe.

> * If you have been taking a drug for a long time, ask your doctor

> if you should be concerned about any vitamin or mineral

> deficiencies.

> * When buying any over-the-counter medicine, be sure to read the

> label and the package insert for directions and warnings. If in

> doubt about the product, ask your pharmacist. Finally, use the

> least number of drugs possible and take them as directed to

> reduce your chances of developing a drug/drug or food/drug

> interaction.

>

> Selected References

>

> FDA Drug Bulletin, Department of Health and Human Services,

> Washington, D.C., June, 1979.

> Lehmann, P. (1984) Food and drug interactions. FDA Consumer.

> September 1984.

> Lieber, C.S. (1983) Alcohol-nutrition interaction. Contemporary

> Nutr. 8(12):1-2. (General Mills).

> Roe, D.A. (1985) Therapeutic effects of drug nutrient

> interactions in the elderly. J. of Am Dietet. Assoc. 85:174-181.

> Roe, D.A. (1984) Nutrient and drug interactions. In: Present

> Knowledge in Nutrition, 5th edition. Washington, D.C.: The

> Nutrition Foundation, pp. 797-818.

>

> For more information about food, nutrition and health, contact your

> County Extension Home Economist.

>

>

Table 1. Guide to Food and Drug Interactions

If You Take It's Wise to Avoid Because

Antibiotics: Acidic foods:

Erythromycin Caffeine These antibodies can be

antibiotics:* Citrus fruits destroyed in the

E.E.S.-400 Cola drinks increased stomach

E-Mycin Vinegar acidity caused by these

Erythromycin Fruit juices foods.

Ilosone Pickles

Tomatoes

Penicillin

antibiotics:* These antibiotics can

Penicillin Acidic foods: be destroyed in the

V-cillin-K See above. increased stomach

Pen-Vee K acidity caused by these

Robicillin-V-K foods.

Although calcium-rich

Calcium-rich foods: foods help ease the

Almonds digestion that often

Tetracycline Buttermilk accompanies

antibiotics:* All cheese tetracycline intake,

Achromycin-V Pizza they also reduce

Tetracycline Yogurt effectiveness. This can

Vibramycin Cream allow an infection to

Sumycin Ice cream go unchecked. If the

Milk infection is severe,

Waffles there can be serious

long-term effects,

including death.

Foods containing

Viatmin K:

Anticoagulants Beef liver Vitamin K promotes

(to thin blood)* Brussel sprouts blood clotting. Its

Coumadin Cabbage addition to the body

Dicumarol Oils counteracts the

Panwarfarin Chinese blood-thinning effect

Phenindione cabbage of anticoagulant drugs.

Kale

Ruggola

Spinach

Tyramine-rich foods:

Aged cheese**

Chicken liver

Cola drinks

Canned figs

Bananas

Beer

Broad beans

Caffeine Tyramine (found in

Yeast extract these foods) in

Aged meat combination with these

MAO Inhibitors Chocolate drugs can produce

(Antidepressants):* Anchovies severe headache,

Marplan Avocados palpitations, nausea,

Parnate Mushrooms vomiting and elevated

Nardil Pickled herring blood pressure.

Raisins Potentially lethal

Sausages: strokes and heart

(pepperoni, attacks have been

liverwurst, etc.) documented.

Sour cream

Soy sauce

Wine: Chianti

sherry

**Particularly Brie,

Camembert, Cheddar,

Emmenthaler,

gruyere, processed

American and Stilton

Natural licorice:

(most licorice in

this country is

Antihypertensives artificial, and not

(for high blood harmful, but

pressure):* imported licorice A substance contained

Calan-S.R. candy and flavoring in natural licorice

Capoten from Europe is often root causes salt and

Inderal natural.) **In water retention that

Lopressor addition to natural can lead to elevated

Ser-Ap-Es licorice, avoid blood pressure.

Vasotec tyramine-rich foods

listed for

Antidepressants,

above.

Monosodium glutamate Monosodium glutamate

(MSG): Often used in and diuretics both act

to remove excess water

Diuretics:* seasoned salts, meat from body tissue. In

**Aldactone tenderizers, frozen combination they may

**Hydrodiuril vegetables, and deplete essential

**Lasix Oriental cuisine. quantities of

HCTZ **In addition, avoid water-soluble vitamins

natural licorice,

listed for (C and B-complex) and

Antihypertensives minerals (sodium and

potassium).

Levodopa(L-Dopa) Beef and pork liver Vitamin B6 counteracts

(for treating Wheat germ the activity of L-Dopa

Parkinson's Yeast in relieving the

disease): Other foods or symptoms of Parkinson's

Bendopa vitamin supplements disease. Excessive

Dopar rich in vitamin dietary protein can

Larodopa B6 prevent L-Dopa from

Sinemet A high protein diet reaching the brain.

Thyroid Brussel sprouts

preparations: Cabbage Substance contained in

Choloxin Cauliflower these foods can

Levothroid Kale interfere with thyroid

Synthroid Mustard greens function. They can lead

Tapazole Rutabaga to goiter, a sever

Thieuracil Soybeans metabolic-deficiency

Thyrolar Turnips disease.

Iodized salt

* Only a few representative example of these drugs are included. If

you are not sure about the type of drug you are taking, speak to

your doctor or pharmacist.

>

>

>

>

1. This document is published by the Florida ative Extension

Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University

of Florida. Publication date: Revised 1988.

2. Bobroff, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Extension Foods and

Nutrition Specialist, ative Extension Service, Institute

of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida,

Gainesville FL 32611.

>