Page 7 - Senior Times South Central Michigan October 2022 - 29-10

Senior Times - October 2022 Page 7
FOOD AND MEDICATION INTERACTIONS
Provided by: Everyday Health Editorial Team
A food-drug interaction means that a specific nutrient or compound within the food changes the way your body metabolizes the medication, and this can either enhance or reduce the dose your body gets, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The potential results: an increased risk of side effects, many of which can be dangerous, or the drug not working as it was intended.
grapefruit juice. This also happens with statins used for high cholesterol, such as Lipitor (ator- vastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin). “Grapefruit contains a compound that inhibits a common drug-metabolizing enzyme called CYP3A4. Drinking a lot of the juice or eating the fruit inhibits this enzyme, and the drug accumu- lates in your system, which can be danger- ous,” says Aaron Emmel, PharmD, founder of PharmacyTechScholar.com in St. Augustine, Florida. This does not happen with other citrus, so you can confidently sip orange juice instead.
6. Warfarin + Kale – Jantoven and Coumadin (warfarin) are blood thinners to treat blood clots. Vegetables like kale and broc-
coli pack in vitamin K. The problem is that, “Vitamin K negates what warfarin is trying to do,” says Mitchell Howard, PharmD, clinical assistant professor at the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Without warfarin working properly, your risk of a blood clot increases. You don’t have to avoid vitamin K – that’s a common misnomer. Rather, “your diet needs to stay con- sistent,” says Howard. If you are eating more produce because of the season or suddenly stop eating many vegetables, you could suffer side effects like blood clots or bleeding. In that case, your doctor can adjust your medication dose.
Before introducing a medication, ask your pharmacist about any food interactions, includ- ing with alcohol, and any adjustments you may have to make to your diet.
1. Acetaminophen + Alcohol – If you’re popping Tylenol (acetaminophen) after drink- ing to ward off a hangover, you may be putting yourself in danger. “When combined with alco- hol, you may be at an increased risk of liver toxicity,” says Jessica Nouhavandi, PharmD, Co-CEO and cofounder of Honeybee Health in Culver City, California. This risk is highest if you are a regular drinker and use acetaminophen daily.
4. MAOIs + Aged Cheeses – If you take
an antidepressant that’s a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as Marplan (isocar- boxazid), Nardil (phenelzine), Emsam (sele- giline), or Parnate (tranylcypromine), you’ll need to watch high-tyramine foods in your diet. Tyramine is an amino acid involved in blood pressure regulation, according to the Mayo Clinic. “This combination can cause a hyperten- sive crisis,” says Emmel. High-tyramine foods include aged cheeses, specific types of wine, pickled herring, brewer’s yeast, and fava beans, he notes. That said, MAOIs are not as frequent- ly prescribed as other types of antidepressants (like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs), and if this interaction is a worry for you, talk to your doctor about other options.
7. SSRIs + Alcohol – SSRIs are antidepres- sants that treat depression. They can also help treat anxiety. But using alcohol to quell the symptoms of anxiety or depression can lead
2. Some Antibiotics + Dairy – Nouhavandi says certain antibiotics shouldn’t be taken alongside milk, yogurt, or cheese. “Dairy prod- ucts bind to the medicine and interfere with
to severe problems. “The risk of combining these with alcohol is stomach or gastrointes- tinal bleeding,” says Ashley Ellis, PharmD, director of clinical operations at Compwell in Collierville, Tennessee. She calls this a “black box warning,” meaning it’s mandatory for the pharmacy to warn patients about this interaction.
its absorption in the bloodstream,” she says. This goes for fluoroquinolones like Cipro (cip- rofloxacin), Levaquin (levofloxacin), Avelox (moxifloxacin), and certain tetracyclines. Avoid eating that bowl of yogurt or ice cream at least two hours before and six hours after taking your antibiotics, Nouhavandi advises.
5. Hypothyroid Drugs + (Any) Food – If you have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid), you are probably tak- ing Synthroid (levothyroxine) to restore your levels. The label instructs you to take this first thing in the morning with a 30- to 60-minute buffer before consuming any food. Food can block absorption of the drug in your small intes- tine, effectively lowering your dose in a way that will affect your thyroid. Unfortunately, yes, this includes coffee, too.
8. Metronidazole + Alcohol – Metronidazole (Flagyl) is used to treat infections, including the vaginal infection bacterial vaginosis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Do not – and this bears repeating – do not drink any alcohol while on it, as it interferes with alcohol metabolism. “This combination causes severe vomiting,” says Ellis. She recommends waiting 48 hours after stop- ping the medication before having that glass of wine.
3. Calcium Channel Blockers and Statins + Grapefruit – Calcium channel blockers
are used for high blood pressure and angina, explains Harvard Health Publishing. Some, including Plendil (felodipine)and Procardia or Adalat (nifedipine), are known to interact with
Note: Consult with your pharmacist or visit everydayhealth.com for more interactions.
MAKE YOUR HEALTH A PRIORITY
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SENIOR HOUSING
GUIDE
11
Like to be added?
Email Sherii Sherban at ssherban@scenepub.com.
MARSHALL COMFORT CARE
200 Westbrook Court, Marshall, MI 49068 (269) 781-4997
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MEDILODGE OF MARSHALL
879 E. Michigan Avenue, Marshall, MI 49068 (269) 365-6366
NORTHPOINTE WOODS ASSISTED LIVING
700 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017 (269) 964-7625
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NORTHPOINTE WOODS INDEPENDENT LIVING
700 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017 (269) 964-7625
OAKS AT NORTHPOINTE WOODS
706 North Avenue, Battle Creek, MI 49017 Kelly Kirby, (269) 964-4655
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THORNAPPLE MANOR
2700 Nashville Rd., Hastings, MI 49058 Lyn Briel, (269) 945-2407
TRUE CARE LIVING
565 General Ave. Springfield, MI 49037 Calina Vadermoere, (269) 968-3365
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VILLA AT WINSTON COURT, SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY
208 Winston, Marshall, MI 49068 Dustin Burrett, (269) 248-6226
VILLAGE OF MILL CREEK
300 Carl Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49037 Jennifer Bouchard, (269) 962-0605
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WOODLAWN MEADOWS RETIREMENT VILLAGE
1821 N East Street, Hastings, MI 49058 Allison Kortz, (269) 948-4921
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NUMBER OF UNITS INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSISTED LIVING SKILLED NURSING ALZHEIMER / DEMENTIA RESPITE CARE
ADULT DAY CARE PETS
RESIDENT PARKING TRANSPORTATION PRIVATE PAY NURSE ON DUTY REHAB
LONG TERM STAY SHORT TERM STAY MEDICATION DELIVERY LAUNDRY HOUSEKEEPING ACTIVITIES
100% MEALS
24 HOUR STAFFING LICENSED FACILITY SPECIFIC DIET PLANS