Some patients may experience serious health complications without realizing, as a result of taking certain fluids in conjunction with medications, which may lead to invisible reactions between drinks and some drugs.
These reactions may seem silent at first, but they may develop into serious health problems so it is necessary to understand the relationship between medications and the precisely we eat.
In the following lines, we highlight the most prominent natural drinks that can interact with medications, to avoid unexpected health complications.
Drinks prefer to avoid while taking medications
Although natural juices and drinks are often considered a healthy option, they may turn into a source of danger when taking with certain types of medications. Here are the most important liquids:
Grapefruit juice
Grapefruit contains compounds known as poranocomarins, and they inhibit a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, responsible for breaking many medications. This inhibition leads to high levels of the drug in the blood, which increases the possibility of side effects or even pharmaceutical poisoning.
Medicines affected by grapefruit juice:
Cholesterol lower medications (such as statins (
Blood pressure medications
Anti -anxiety
Immune inhibitors
Caffeine
Caffeine in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks may interact with various medications, either by enhancing their effects or reducing their effectiveness.
Examples of interactions:
Asthma Medicines: Caffeine may exacerbate the effects of bronchial spoilers, causing thinning or accelerating the heartbeat.
Antidepressants: caffeine may interfere with each other, which weakens its effectiveness.
Heart medications: caffeine can change the effect of some heart medications on blood pressure and its rates.
Herbal tea
Despite its healthy appearance, some types of herbal tea may cause interactions with medications, the most prominent of which are:
Chamomile: Enhances the effect of sedatives (such as benzodiazepines); This leads to increased drowsiness and dizziness.
Licorice: It contains glycerine, which may raise blood pressure and affect pressure medications and urine drugs.
Anise: It mimics estrogen, which may interfere with hormonal drugs such as birth control pills.
Energy drinks
Rich in caffeine and stimulants, and may pose a danger to those who take heart medications or psychiatry.
One of the potential risks:
Heart medications: Excess caffeine may lead to acceleration or heart rhythm.
Psychiatry: These drinks can increase insomnia and anxiety, which complicates the treatment of psychological conditions.
Other fruit juices
Not all juices are safe, some of them may interfere with the absorption of medications or their metabolism in the body.
Bitter orange juice: It has a similar effect of grapefruit juice with some medications.
Apple juice: It may reduce the absorption of medications such as antihistamines.
General advice to avoid interactions between drinks and medicines
Consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medicine.
Read the carefully attached pharmaceutical bulletin, to know potential interactions.
Reducing caffeine consumption during treatment.
