Nowadays, many people are talking about prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs that do not need doctors’ prescriptions, and drug interactions.

One may ask: what is drug interaction? Contrary to the common belief that drug interaction is limited to cases when two or more drugs react with each other – there are two other cases of drug interaction. The second case of drug interaction is when some drugs react with certain foods or beverage. The third case is when a person who has an existing medical condition takes a drug which results in an unwanted reaction.

Many of us do not know that drugs are foreign substances to our bodies. These drugs are usually discharged from our bodies in urine or bowel movement. There are some drugs that are removed unchanged by our kidneys and leave the body in urine form. Other drugs are being processed by the liver with the chemicals in the liver (the so-called enzymes) and are likewise removed from our bodies in urine or in the form of bowel movements. The drug goes from the stomach to the intestine to the liver and spreads to the rest of the body. The most common drug interactions involve the liver thus slowing down or speeding up the action our liver enzymes.

In the drug-to-drug interactions, a person may experience an unexpected side effect. For example, a sedative (drug to help one to sleep) and a drug for allergies (antihistamine) can cause drug interaction. And makes driving a car or operating machinery dangerous. It is therefore important that if a doctor prescribes some medicines for some of our medical condition, we should disclose to the doctor the other drugs that we are also taking including antioxidant tablets and/or multivitamins and mineral tablets. We should also ask our doctors if there are some foods or beverages that we should avoid as there are harmful mixing of some drugs with certain foods or beverages.

We are in big trouble though if our doctors do not know about the consequences of drug interactions; or do not mind about the disastrous effects. Likewise, if we are buying non-prescription drugs without the advice of the doctor, we should carefully read and understand the drug labels that contain information about the ingredients of the drugs as well as uses, warnings and even directions. We should always read the drug label before use whether the drug is an over-the-counter drug or prescription drug.

The second case of drug interaction is when some drugs we take react to some foods or beverages we are taking too. For example, mixing alcohol with some drugs have been fatal in many cases and the victim just drops dead without any warning. Many have been victims of this kind of drug interaction.

An example of the third kind of interaction is when one has high blood pressure and takes a nasal decongestant. An unwanted reaction follows.

Here are other tips on drug interactions:

• There are some herbs and other natural foods that may interact adversely with medications normally taken and result in serious side effect. While both the medication taken by mouth and the foods and herbs taken orally travel through the digestive system – each can change the way the body metabolizes the other. Some drugs may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb nutrients in the same way that herbs and food can lessen or increase the impact of a drug;

• There is a medication administered to treat asthma that contains xanthines, which are also found in tea, coffee, chocolate, and other sources of caffeine. Too much of the aforementioned drinks taken with the medication increases the risk of drug toxicity.

• Large amounts of broccoli, spinach and other green leafy vegetables high in vitamin K which promotes the formation of blood clots can counter the effects of drugs that prevent clotting;

• Combining aspirin with diabetic medications can drop blood sugars to dangerous levels;

• Tomatoes contain small quantities of a toxic substance known as solanine that may trigger headaches. A common cause of allergies too. (I suffer from this). An unidentified substance in tomatoes and tomato-based products can cause acid reflux, leading to indigestion and heartburn.

• Caffeinated beverages and asthma drugs should not be taken together as this can cause excessive excitability.

• Orange juice and milk should be avoided when taking antibiotics. The juice’s acidity decreases the effectiveness of antibiotics, as does milk.

• Garlic has anti-clotting properties and therefore a doctor should be consulted before taking garlic with anticoagulant drugs; and

• People taking MAO (monoamine oxidase) anti-depressant medications should consult their doctors about the foods they should avoid like parmesan and cheddar cheese, some beers, red wine and other foods.

Have a joyful day!