Gelisim News

Foods consumed during medication may pose a risk!

Getting enough and balanced nutrients is one of the sine qua non of a healthy body. While the significance of nutrition is better comprehend, many studies are being conducted on the subject. Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Huri Özkarabulut from Istanbul Gelisim University made statements about food and drug interactions. Asst. Prof. Dr. Özkarabulut remarked that the exposure of drugs to many interactions poses great risks, and drew attention to the foods that should not be consumed in the use of some drugs.

Most of the time, it cannot be predicted that the drugs used and the foods consumed may pose a risk. Food and drug interactions are frequently encountered. This may adversely affect the treatment results of patients. Significant drug interactions are more likely to occur, especially in patients taking multiple medications. Asst. Prof. Dr. Ayşe Huri Özkarabulut from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Gelisim University (IGU) stated the following: The role of the pharmacist is great in informing the patients. Doctors and dietitians should also warn patients about complications.’’

“The efficacy of many drugs depend on whether the person is hungry or full at that moment”
Food and drug interactions are handled in many ways. These interactions can have physical, chemical, physiological and physiopathological dimensions. Dr. Ayşe Huri Özkarabulut: “If some nutrients in the food are taken orally at the same time with some drugs, the absorption and treatment effectiveness of the drug may vary. Nutrients may interact with the drug and cause unexpected or unwanted side effects. The effectiveness of many drugs can change whether the person is currently hungry or full. In the use of drugs, it should be stated that they will be used with or without food. Some drugs can change the person's nutritional status and prevent the use of nutrients in the body, changing their excretion from the body, causing nutritional deficiency.

Drugs that prevent blood clotting must not be consumed with these foods!

When antibiotics are taken with acidic foods, fruit juices, caffeine and tomatoes, they increase stomach acid and affect absorption. Dr. Özkarabulut: “Some antibiotics must not be consumed at the same meal as dairy products. Medicines that prevent blood clotting can be taken on an empty or full stomach. Vitamin K makes the drug less effective, for instance. Care should be taken when consuming foods rich in vitamin K such as potatoes, bananas, apricots, broccoli, cabbage, kale, spinach, lettuce and radishes. Blueberries must not be consumed. Antidepressants can also be taken on an empty or full stomach. The medicine should be swallowed whole, not chewed. Interacts with foods rich in thiamin. It must not be consumed with old cheese, sausage, figs, broad beans, sauerkraut, calf’s liver. Thiamin can raise blood pressure to a deadly level. It can cause headache, vomiting and death. It is of great importance that this information must be known widely.”