Pharmacist warns these six common everyday foods could be interfering with your medication
The food you eat could be having an impact on your medication 💊
- Some of our favourite foods could be working against our medications.
- Certain ingredients can change how medications are absorbed.
- Superintendent Lead Pharmacist and Director of Pyramid Pharmacy Group, Amir Bhogal, shares six foods to watch out for.
Many common foods that we eat every day could be working against our medications, a leading pharmacist has shared.
From antioxidant-rich berries to cheese and wine, certain ingredients can alter how drugs are absorbed, broken down or activated in the body, sometimes without obvious warning signs.
Medication interactions are more common than many people realise. Superintendent Lead Pharmacist and Director of Pyramid Pharmacy Group, Amir Bhogal, shares six foods you should watch out for.
What foods can interact with medication?
Grapefruit
Grapefruit can interfere with how your body absorbs certain medications, meaning that they can stay in your bloodstream at higher levels than intended, potentially causing adverse effects.
Medications which can be affected include statins for cholesterol management, blood pressure medications like calcium channel blockers, and immunosuppressants.
Bhogal said: “What many patients don't realise is that both the fresh fruit and juice pose the same risk, and the effect can last up to 24 hours after consumption.”
Leafy greens
If you are taking warfarin and other anticoagulant medications, leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli contain high levels of vitamin K. Patients on these medications need stable vitamin K consumption so their medication dose can be properly measured. Sudden increases or decreases in leafy green intake can destabilise and compromise the effectiveness of the medication.
Dairy products
If you are taking antibiotics, particularly tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, dairy products, particularly milk and cheese, can significantly reduce the absorption, thanks to their calcium content. This substantially reduces the medication's effectiveness, potentially allowing infections to persist or worsen.
Bhogal advised: “We typically recommend spacing dairy consumption at least two hours away from these antibiotic doses to ensure adequate absorption.”
Tyramine-rich foods
Tyramine is an amino acid found in aged cheeses, cured meats, fermented foods, and certain soy products that can dangerously interact with medications used for depression and anxiety. When combined with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), tyramine can cause a sudden, dangerous spike in blood pressure, a condition known as a hypertensive crisis.
Bhogal said: “This interaction is serious enough that patients taking MAOIs need detailed dietary counselling and should maintain a list of foods to avoid. The risk is real and potentially life-threatening, so this isn't an interaction to take lightly.”
Alcohol
Many medications interact with alcohol; the effects vary depending on the quantity consumed and the specific medication involved. Beyond the concern of increased sedation with central nervous system depressants, alcohol can impair medication metabolism, increase bleeding risk, cause dangerous blood pressure drops, and trigger severe nausea.
Bhogal said: “I always advise patients that even moderate alcohol consumption warrants a conversation with their pharmacist or doctor to understand their specific medication's interaction profile.”
Cranberries
If you take warfarin and other anticoagulant medications, cranberries, whether consumed as juice, supplements, or whole fruit, can interact with the medication. The compounds in the berries appear to enhance the anticoagulant effect, potentially causing an increased bleeding risk.
Bhogal said: “Patients who regularly consume cranberry products need to maintain that regular intake, whilst those who don't typically consume them should be cautious about suddenly introducing large quantities whilst taking anticoagulants.”
If you have any concerns about interactions with medications you are taking, speak to your local pharmacist or a medical professional.