 |
|
|
Article
Medications Can Interfere With The Foods We Eat
By Shirley Brower, R.N., Peninsula Volunteers Rosener House
In our busy daily routines, we don't usually think about the possibilities of our medications interfering with the nutrients in the foods we eat. The Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California has studied the subject and has found that the following medications can indeed cause possible drug-related nutritional problems.
ANTACIDS (containing)
- Aluminum hydroxide: Medications, such as Maalox, can cause constipation and may interfere with absorption of phosphate, causing softening of our bones.
- Magnesium hydroxide: Medications such as Mylanta and Milk of Magnesia, may cause diarrhea.
- Calcium carbonate: Medications, such as Tums, may raise sodium levels, interfering with the absorption of thiamin and iron.
LAXATIVES
- Stimulants, such as Ducolax, may cause dependency, potassium deficiency, and should not be taken with alkaline fluids such as milk.
- Saline laxatives, such as Fleets Phosphosoda, can cause electrolyte imbalance because they retain water in the intestine.
- Lubricants, such as mineral oil, can decrease absorption of fat soluble vitamins.
PENICILLMIXE
- Interferes with the absorption of certain nutrients when taken with food. Take 2 hours before or 3 hours after meals.
- These medications also can cause a loss of the ability to taste salty and sweet foods.
ANTIBIOTICS
- Can cause an unpleasant taste in your mouth, can increase potassium excretion, and should not be taken with acid juices.
- Tetracycline: Milk and dairy products interfere with drug absorption and also should not be taken together with iron supplements.
- Neomycin: May have the side effects of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
ANTICOAGULANTS
- Vitamin K will interfere with anticoagulant function and Vitamin E should be avoided as it will increase the tendency to bleed.
ANTI-PARKINSON AGENTS
- L-dopa causes a bitter taste in the mouth and can cause constipation and gas.
- Vitamin B6 interferes with the action of L-dopa.
- High protein diets may interfere with the absorption of the anti-parkinson drugs.
CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICATIONS
- High fiber diet delays the absorption of digitalis.
DIURETICS
- Some diuretics, such as Lasix, are potassium depleting, so potassium rich foods should be encouraged and potassium levels should be monitored.
There are many more medications that can have an impact on the foods we eat, so be sure that each of your doctors know what medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs.
Back to previous | Back to category page | Back to top
|
|
|
