Learning About Your Health

Food and Drug Interactions

Certain foods and beverages can accentuate or blunt the actions of some drugs. This potentially enhances or diminishes the effect of a drug, resulting in variable response to drug treatment. Food or beverages can impact treatment by affecting the absorption of a drug or perhaps by affecting how the body metabolizes such a drug. It is important to recognize when this can happen and find ways to prevent it.

This table provides general information on food and drug interactions. If you would like more information about individual drugs in combination with your diet, arrange with your nurse to speak with a pharmacist or dietitian.


Allergies, Antihistamines. DRUG: Antihistamines - Claritin®, Actifed®. PURPOSE: Relieves or prevents cold or hay fever symptoms. INTERACTION: Avoid alcohol; combination may cause drowsiness. Arthritis and Analegesic Medications. DRUG: Aspirin. PURPOSE: Reduce pain, fever and inflammation. INTERACTION: Avoid alcohol. Take with food to avoid upset stomach. DRUG: Non-Steroidal - Anti-Inflammatory Agents - Ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®), Naproxen (Aleve®) and others PURPOSE: Reduces inflammation, swelling, joint pain and stiffness. INTERACTION: Take with food or milk to avoid upset stomach.DRUG: Narcotics - Morphine, Vicodin®, Percocet®, Codeine. PURPOSE: Suppresses coughs, relieves pain. INTERACTION: Take with food, snacks or milk to avoid upset stomach. Avoid alcohol. Combination increases drowsiness. Cardiovascular Medications. DRUG: Diuretics - Diuril®, Dyazide®, Lasix®. PURPOSE: Increases elimination of water and salt from the body. INTERACTION: Avoid natural licorice. Limit alcohol. A sodium-controlled diet may be recommended. Check labels of food packages for sodium content. Inclusion of foods high in potassium and magnesium may be recommended for diuretics. DRUG: Anti-hypertensives - Captopril, Inderal®, Hydralazine®, Diltiazem. PURPOSE: Relaxes blood vessels, increases supply of blood and oxygen to heart, and regulates heartbeat. DRUG: Anti-coagulants - Warfarin, Coumadin®. PURPOSE: Reduces clotting of the blood. INTERACTION: Do not take additional vitamin K in any vitamin preparation. Limit herbal teas, green teas, regular and decaf coffee to usual amount of intake. Do not overly or under indulge these products from a customary basis.

Antibiotics. DRUG: Metronidazole - Flagyl®. PURPOSE: Treats infections. INTERACTION: Avoid alcohol, combination can cause severe nausea, vomiting or flushing. DRUG: Sulfa drugs - Septra®, Bactrim®. PURPOSE: Treats infections. INTERACTION: Avoid alcohol, combination may cause nausea. DRUG: Tetracyclines. PURPOSE: Treats infections. INTERACTION: Do not take within two hours of dairy products, calcium, or iron supplements. DRUG: Quinolones - Cipro®, Levaquin®, Avelox®. PURPOSE: Treats infections. INTERACTION: Do not take within two hours of dairy products, calcium or iron supplements. Psychiatric Medications. DRUG: Lithium carbonate. PURPOSE: Regulates changes in hormone levels in the brain. INTERACTION: Follow the diet and fluid restrictions of your physician. DRUG: MAO Inhibitors - Parnate®, Nardil®. PURPOSE: Treats depression. INTERACTION: Many interactions. Please consult your physician, pharmacist or dietitian. Oral Corticosteroids. DRUG: Prednisone, Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone. PURPOSE: Reduces inflammation. INTERACTION: Avoid alcohol. Take with food or milk. An increase in potassium, or decrease in sodium intake may be recommended. Laxatives and Stool Softeners. DRUG: Psyllium - Metamucil®. PURPOSE: Treats constipation. INTERACTION: Take with large amounts of fluids. Excessive use can cause loss of essential vitamins and minerals.

Questions? Arrange with your nurse for a consultation with a pharmacist or dietitian.

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