Drugs Effects and Precautions: The list below covers the more common drug categories and common drugs. It is for your information and understanding only and it is not medical advice. Please contact your doctor and discuss your case with him or her before making any changes to your diet, herb use, or other drug use.
Antibiotics:
Cephalosporins, penicillin: Take on an empty stomach to speed absorption of the drugs.
Erythromycin: Don’t take with fruit juice or wine, which decrease the drug’s effectiveness.
Sulfa drugs: Increase the risk of Vitamin B-12 deficiency
Tetracycline: Dairy products reduce the drug’s effectiveness. It also lowers vitamin C absorption.
Anticonvulsants:
Dilantin, Phenobarbital: Increase the risk of anemia and nerve problems due to deficiency of folate and other B vitamins.
Antidepressants:
Fluoxetine: Reduce appetite and can lead to excessive weight loss.
Lithium: A low-salt diet increases the risk of lithium toxicity; excessive salt reduces the drug’s efficacy.
MAO Inhibitors: Foods high in tyramine (aged cheeses, processed meats, legumes, wine, beer, among others) can bring on a hypertensive crisis.
Tricyclics: Many foods, especially legumes, meat, fish, and foods high in Vitamin C, reduce absorption of the drugs.
Antihypertensives Heart Medications:
ACE inhibitors: Take on an empty stomach to improve the absorption of the drugs.
Alpha blockers: Take with liquid or food to avoid excessive drop in blood pressure.
Antiarrhythmic drugs: Avoid caffeine, which increases the risk of irregular heartbeat.
Beta blockers: Take on an empty stomach; food, especially meat, increases the drug’s effects and can cause dizziness and low blood pressure.
Digitalis: Avoid taking with milk and high fiber foods, which reduce absorption, increases potassium loss.
Diuretics: Can increase the risk of potassium deficiency.
Potassium sparing diuretics: Unless a doctor advises otherwise, don’t take diuretics with potassium supplements or salt substitutes, which can cause potassium overload.
Thiazide diuretics: Can increase the reaction to MSG.
© Copyright – Hector Sectzer
