Fit After Fifty

Time to take your medicine? Before you down those pills, be sure you know how best to take that medicine… with food, before food, after food, with no food or with extra fluids. Today’s pharmaceuticals consist of complex compounds that interact with both your body components and the contents of your stomach. Not knowing when you should or shouldn’t mix medications with food can reduce the effectiveness of the drug and, with certain combinations, can even be dangerous.

Most medicines are absorbed more efficiently by the body when taken with food. Food activates stomach compounds and intestinal actions which help to process their absorption. Food can also help the medicine more quickly reach the site in the body where it is needed. In some instances, however, the natural chemicals found in foods can react with certain drugs to either make them essentially useless or even more potent.

Your pharmacist is the best source of information about the recommended way to take your medicines. Pharmaceutical companies provide pharmacists with detailed instructions based on their research. Don’t hesitate to ask whether or not it is recommended that the product be taken with food, and if certain foods should be avoided. Also be sure to read any accompanying printed information about the product and how to take it properly.

Grapefruit has been in the news recently because it enhances the effects of certain medications such as the antihypertensive Plendil, the antidepressant Xanax, the immunosuppressant Cyclosporine, and the antihistamine Tefenadine. Patients on these medications do not need to give up their grapefruit or juice, but need to establish a regular volume of intake and advise their doctor of this so that the amount of medication can be adjusted accordingly. Grapefruit also increases the absorption of across-the-counter medicines such as Sine-Off and Maximum Strength Tylenol.

The calcium in dairy foods – and in calcium supplements – binds with the antibiotic tetracycline so that it passes through the body without being absorbed, making it ineffective. By not eating high calcium foods, specifically milk products (or supplements) within two hours of taking the medication, this problem is minimized.

People on blood-thinning drugs or anticoagulants such as Coumadin and Warfarin are usually strongly advised to limit foods high in Vitamin  K because it can substantially reduce the drug’s effectiveness. Foods containing Vitamin K include liver, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, green tea, and broccoli. Some foods such as eggs, milk and wheat bran cereal contain lesser amounts of vitamin K, but it can add up when these foods are eaten together. Garlic supplements also appear to thin the blood and should not be combined with other blood-thinning medication without a doctor’s supervision.

While the  absorption of iron is known to be improved if taken with citrus juice, this same acidity may cause some medications to dissolve prematurely in the stomach rather than in the intestine as intended. Therefore, taking drugs with carbonated sodas and acid fruit juices is usually not recommended. Be careful with herbal teas and herbal supplements as well. Many of these contain components which can interact with your medications, so be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are using any herbal products.

Some drugs will adversely affect your body’s ability to use the nutrients in food, making it important not to take the drug at mealtime. Levodopa decreases absorption of Vitamin B6; digitalis reduces absorption of all vitamins; and aspirin lowers absorption of calcium. When an individual is in good nutritional status and eating well, short-term use for anyone can be a critical factor in maintaining good nutritional health.

The main message here is to read the directions for taking your medications carefully, and talk to your pharmacist if you have any questions. It’s well worth the few minutes it will take to be sure you are taking your medicine properly and are not putting yourself at a health risk.