Don't take any medicine when eating citrus fruits! 2. Taking food and blood lipid medicine together may lead to "kidney failure"

Health
Don't take any medicine when eating citrus fruits! 2. Taking food and blood lipid medicine together may lead to "kidney failure"

Beware of increased drug side effects if you binge eat grapefruit during the Mid-Autumn Festival

As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, many people eat pomelo, grapefruit and other seasonal fruits. However, if you are taking disease treatment drugs or drugs to control chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or high blood pressure, you should pay attention to possible interactions with fruits and foods to avoid affecting the efficacy of the drugs and being detrimental to disease control.

The Pharmacy Department of Losheng Sanatorium stated that it is often heard that medicines cannot be used at the same time as “grapefruit”. Wendan, which is abundant in autumn, is also called pomelo. “Grapefruit belongs to the Rutaceae family. Both are rich in furocoumarins, which can cause Inhibits the activity of the human body’s “CYP3A4” enzyme. When the CYP3A4 enzyme is inhibited and unable to function, the speed of metabolizing drugs will slow down, causing the drug to stay in the body for a longer period of time, increasing side effects or affecting drug efficacy.

The Pharmacy Department of Losheng Sanatorium reminds that grapefruit and grapefruit can inhibit drug metabolism for as short as a few hours and as long as 2 to 3 days. Even if they are taken separately from drugs, their interaction may not be completely avoided. People who are taking drugs Ethnic groups should pay special attention when tasting fruits during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Prescriptions for citrus fruits! Also pay attention to blood pressure medicines and antiviral medicines

The Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, Food and Drug Administration pointed out in the “Drug and Food Safety Weekly” that people taking antihypertensive drugs should especially avoid consuming citrus fruits, including pomelo, and grapefruit at the same time, to avoid the possibility of side effects. . In addition, common bitter oranges, limes and tangerines also contain the same ingredients, but the content is not as high as that of grapefruit. Unless ingested in large quantities, the effect on the medicinal effect is not as significant as that of grapefruit.

In addition to medications for chronic diseases, Paxlovid, an oral antiviral drug used to treat COVID-19, will increase the concentration of the drug and increase the incidence of side effects when used simultaneously with grapefruit. High-risk groups who have recently been diagnosed should pay special attention.

People taking anticoagulants should avoid high concentrations of natto, garlic and red yeast rice.

The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration reminds people who take anticoagulant drugs to avoid foods containing high concentrations of natto extract. Such foods contain a large amount of vitamin K, which will affect the effect of anticoagulants. Also note that it is not advisable to take it with health products containing highly concentrated garlic ingredients to avoid increasing the side effects of bleeding.

Red yeast rice yeast and natto have a small amount of ingredients that can lower blood lipids. If taken in large amounts when taking anti-hyperlipidemia drugs, it may increase the drug concentration in the blood and cause side effects, and even cause rhabdomyolysis and renal failure. Therefore, they should be avoided.

Taking iron supplements, do not mix them with tea, and taking heart medicine with high-potassium foods may cause arrhythmia.

The Department of Pharmacy of Changhua Christian Hospital reminded that people taking iron supplements should avoid taking tea together, as tea contains tannic acid, which can easily reduce the efficacy of the medicine. People who take antipyretic analgesics, antibiotics, sulfonamides, etc. should not take juice at the same time to avoid slowing down the absorption of the medicine and reducing the efficacy of the medicine.

In addition, “high potassium” foods such as green vegetables, citrus, diced willows, persimmons, bananas, etc. should be avoided at the same time as potassium-sparing diuretics and cardiovascular medications to avoid increasing the chance of arrhythmia.

Foods rich in tyramine, such as smoked meats, fermented pickled foods (cheese, yogurt, beer, pickles, soy sauce), chicken livers, bananas, avocados, etc., should be avoided in combination with antidepressants, antibiotics, and anti-tuberculosis drugs. Take them at the same time to avoid causing an increase in blood pressure and causing a hypertensive crisis.

If you have any side effects from medicines, you should seek medical attention immediately! Do not take medicine with coffee, milk and tea

The public is reminded that they should avoid eating pomelo, grapefruit, etc. during drug treatment. If they have other concerns about medication, they should proactively consult a doctor or pharmacist. When adverse reactions occur while taking medication, you should return to the doctor immediately and inform the doctor of the food you have taken to ensure your own medication safety.

In addition, when taking medicine, it is advisable to drink it with boiled water, and avoid using liquid drinks such as coffee, tea, milk, grapefruit juice, etc. to avoid interactions between various ingredients and medicines and adverse effects on the body.

Source:

Can I drink drinks while taking medicine? You must know the taboos of taking medicine - Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, Food and Drug Administration

Drug & Food Interactions - Department of Pharmacy, Changhua Christian Hospital


Further reading:

Have you eaten wrong before? The pharmacist teaches you the correct use of stomach medicine: “4 major ingredients” to understand

A must-read if you are diagnosed with quarantine! Detailed medical explanation of common medications: Correct knowledge on medication for fever, cough, and runny nose

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