Doctor names drink that should not be used to wash down medication
Illustrative photo (Freepik)
Water is the preferred beverage for washing down medication, but not everyone is aware of one drink that should never be combined with certain drugs, according to family physician Mykhailo Tsiurak.
Forbidden drink
Grapefruit juice is a strict no-no when it comes to taking medication.
Grapefruit juice can interact with a range of medications:
- Antidepressants
- Blood pressure medications
- Antibiotics
- Blood thinners
Why grapefruit juice interacts with certain drugs
It all boils down to grapefruit's ability to inhibit an enzyme responsible for breaking down drugs. When this breakdown process is inhibited, the drug levels in the bloodstream can spike, potentially leading to adverse effects.
Another issue arises from grapefruit's ability to impede drug absorption in the intestines. If drugs aren't absorbed properly, their therapeutic effects may be compromised.
How to address the issue
The most crucial step is to discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist. If you regularly consume grapefruit juice and take medication, it's important to determine if this could affect your treatment.
Your doctor may advise you to limit your consumption of this juice or opt for alternative products.
The doctor advises that if you're on multiple medications long-term, it's best to restrict your intake of grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
