To avoid getting into trouble

To avoid getting into trouble, follow these pointers:

Live by the labels. Whenever you pick up a prescription at the pharmacy, make sure instructions are included. Read the label, as well as any accompanying papers.

Talk to your pharmacist. If you’re unclear about the dosing instructions or possible side effects, take the time to ask. Pharmacists are trained and knowledgeable about potential interactions.

Time things right. Many drugs need to be taken on an empty stomach, either one hour before a meal or two hours after you eat. Most food drug interactions can be avoided by spacing medications away from meals. Other drugs have to be taken with food.


Watch what you eat and drink. We’ve noted in the chart that follows which foods you should skip entirely and which to space away from a dose of medicine. And unless otherwise directed, take medications with water.

Don’t play chemist. Opening a capsule and crushing or sprinkling the contents on your food can make the drug ineffective, or too potent. People have overdosed by crushing a sustained release product. For instance, instead of getting a 2,400 milligrams dose spread out over 24 hours, you could get all 2,400 milligrams in one hour.

Skip cocktail hour. Don’t drink alcoholic beverages at the same time you take any medication, and with certain drugs, abstaining completely is your best option. Most of these cases are noted in the chart that follows; however, when in doubt, consult you physicians or pharmacist.

You know how important it is to watch what you eat for your heart, your waistline, your bone health but if you take any medications, form antibiotics to antidepressants, you have all the more reason to eat wisely. For example, if you drink grapefruit juice when taking certain antibiotics for a pesky urinary tract infection, it can alter the way the medicine is metabolized, making it ineffective.

People think, It’s only food but there can be tremendous ramifications. In fact, some food drug interactions can result in potentially serious, even deadly, reactions. So always tell your physician or pharmacist about any drugs you are taking so she/he can prescribe necessary dietary changes. Dosage, age, weight, sex and overall health also play a role in food drug interactions.