Top 10 Food & Drug Interactions
A list of the top 10 nutrient-medication interactions affecting
the older adult population
Warfarin & Vitamin KWarfarin helps to prevent blood clots
Eating Vitamin K can interact with Warfarin’s effectiveness
To ensure that Vitamin K does not interact with Warfarin, keep intake consistent
Foods High in Vitamin K
Leafy greens such as:
Brussels sprouts
Asparagus
Broccoli
Insulin, Oral Diabetic Agents, and Alcohol Agents
Alcohol can increase or lengthen the effect of insulin or other diabetic medications, which can lead to hypoglycemia
Symptoms of hypoglycemia include nervousness, sweating, trembling, intense hunger, weakness, palpitations, confusion, drowsiness, and ultimately a coma
Alcohol with diabetic pills can cause dizziness, flushing, and nausea
Digoxin, High-Fiber Diets, and Herbs
Digoxin is used to strengthen the contraction of the heart muscle, slow down heart rate, and promote fluid to escape from the tissues in the body
Dietary fiber, especially insoluble, can slow down the absorption of digoxin and make it less effective.
To ensure the effectiveness of digoxin, elders should take this medication at least an hour or two before consuming a meal.
Herbs also can also elevate or decrease the levels of digoxin in the blood.
Statins and Grapefruit
Statins are used to lower cholesterol
Grapefruit can raise the amount of statins in the blood
Side effects of statins include muscle soreness and blood tests that indicate liver problems
Calcium Channel Blockers and Grapefruit
Calcium channel blockers are prescribed to help with hypertension
Grapefruit contains an element that attached to an intestinal enzyme, affecting the breakdown of the calcium channel blocker
Erectile Dysfunction Drugs and Grapefruit
Evidence suggests that grapefruit may increase blood levels of erectile dysfunction medications
Side effects may include headaches symptomatic of fatal or near fatal circumstances, flushing, or low blood pressure
Acetaminophen and Alcohol
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) taken with alcohol can increase the liver toxicity
The function of the liver to eliminate drugs in the body decreases with age
Antibiotics and Dairy Products
Dairy products can delay or prevent the absorption of antibiotics.
Calcium in dairy interacts with the antibiotic and creates an insoluble compound.
Do not avoid dairy, but take medication an hour before or two hours after a meal to avoid problems
MAOIs and TyramineMonoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a less frequently used antidepressant
The interaction between Tyramine and MAOIs can cause severe elevation in blood pressure.
Foods with Tyramine Include:
Red Wines
Malt Beer
Smoked Fish
Aged Cheeses
Dried Fruits
Antithyroid Drugs and Iodine-Rich Foods
Antithyroid drugs reduce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism
Iodine requires a higher dose of these drugs
The higher the dose of antithyroid drugs, the higher prevalence of side effects such as rashes, hives, and liver disease
Foods High in Iodine Include:
Seafood and Seaweed
Iodized Salt
Eggs, meat, and dairy products when consumed at a higher rate
Sources
Bareuthe, Carol M., RD. "Dangerous Food-Drug Interactions." Today's Geriatric Medicine. Aging Well, 2008. Web. 26 July 2016.
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