While it’s common practice to consult a doctor about potential interactions between new and existing medications, the impact of food on medication is sometimes overlooked. Certain foods can alter the absorption of medication, leading to delayed, decreased or enhanced effects.
There are numerous foods and drinks that can interact with your medication, but one health professional has highlighted five key ones to be aware of. Nurse practitioner Lorrie Pool shared this information on CLS Health’s TikTok page, emphasising that it should be viewed as informational rather than medical advice.For personalised recommendations, always consult a healthcare professional.
Generally speaking though, Lorrie noted that leafy greens can interfere with blood thinners. The NHS confirms that foods rich in vitamin K, such as green leafy vegetables (broccoli, spinach, lettuce), chickpeas, liver, egg yolks, mature cheeses, avocado and olive oil, can affect Warfarin, a commonly prescribed anticoagulant or blood thinner. Rather than eliminating these foods from your diet, the NHS advises maintaining a consistent intake so that the level of vitamin K in your blood remains stable.
Next on the list were statins, a type of medication used to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. As per NHS guidelines, grapefruit juice can interact with some statins, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
It’s recommended to consult your doctor who may advise you to avoid grapefruit juice entirely or limit its consumption.
Lorrie also highlighted that those on certain antibiotics might need to steer clear of dairy. The NHS explains that dairy products like milk and yoghurt, or foods and drinks fortified with calcium, could hinder the absorption of specific antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and fluoroquinolones.
It’s advised to take your fluoroquinolone dose at least one to two hours before, or four hours after consuming these products. If in doubt, always consult your doctor.
For individuals on diabetes medication, Lorrie suggested avoiding alcohol. Diabetes UK states that while it’s generally safe for diabetics to consume alcohol unless advised otherwise, it’s crucial to understand that alcohol can disrupt blood sugar levels.
Those using insulin or other diabetes medications like sulphonylureas are more prone to hypoglycaemia, also known as low blood sugar or ‘hypos’. Alcohol can exacerbate this issue by hindering the body’s ability to recover from dropping blood sugar levels.
If unsure about how your medication interacts with alcohol or the risk of hypos, it’s best to speak to your doctor.
Lorrie cautions against combining alcohol with pain relief medication. The NHS maintains that drinking a “small amount of alcohol” alongside paracetamol or ibuprofen generally doesn’t pose issues.
Yet, excessive consumption can lead to stomach irritation, especially if you’ve used ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Remember, this is just informational – for advice tailored to your health needs, always consult with your healthcare provider.