Diet and treatment, or what to eat so as not to reduce the effectiveness of drugs?

The number of health problems increases with age. Some of them require pharmacotherapy, i.e. the use of drugs. Polypragmasy becomes a problem when there are too many drugs and the risk of side effects exceeds the potential therapeutic effect. What the patient eats and drinks during the treatment also affects the action of drugs.

Polypragmasy is referred to in the case of simultaneous use of at least 5 drugs. The mere fact of taking such a number of drugs does not have to be a negative phenomenon. However, as the number of medications taken increases, the risk of inappropriate compliance with doctor’s recommendations and, as a result, of undesirable interactions increases. The problem often stems from patient mistakes.

You can dispel your doubts in the pharmacy

Always read the package insert. Pay attention to information on recommended dosage, times of intake, and possible interactions with food. Be sure to follow the directions, because the therapeutic effect of drugs depends on whether they are taken the right way.

In case of any doubts, contact the attending physician.

If you have limited access to a doctor, you can consult a pharmacist at a pharmacy. 98 percent patients in the European Union can reach it within 30 minutes, and as much as 58 percent. in 5 minutes. At the same time, over 90 percent. Poles trust pharmacists. This is an excellent result, because approx. 27 thousand people work in pharmacies and pharmacy outlets. specialists who provide 2 million health advice every day.

If you are taking a drug for the first time, you are not sure how to use a given preparation correctly or you have questions about when to take it, a pharmacy is the perfect place where a pharmacist with expertise can provide clear, understandable advice.

Make sure when to take your medication!

The effectiveness of some drugs depends on the time of taking them, which results from the rhythm of the daily activity of the body. Timing is not of special importance for other medications. Always check with a specialist or in the leaflet what time you should take your medications.

1. Some preparations are difficult to absorb from the gastrointestinal tract, so they should be taken on an empty stomach, i.e. shortly after waking up, preferably at least 30 minutes before breakfast or morning coffee. Other medications, such as most painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, must not be taken on an empty stomach due to the risk of irritation or damage to the gastric mucosa.
2. Some topical medications, such as oral pastes, suspensions, and gels, are given right after a meal. They will not be flushed away quickly by what the patient eats or drinks, and will work until the next meal.
3. If it is necessary to take this medicine outside of the meal times, take it one hour before or two hours after a meal. 
4. Avoid taking supplements and vitamin and mineral supplements at the same time as taking prescription medications. Supplements may disrupt or slow down the absorption of the drug.
5. When you have an indication to take the drug three times a day at regular intervals, start taking it at e.g. 6 or 7 am, and you will not have to wake up at night to take your last dose.
6. If there is a need to divide or crush a drug, check with your pharmacist to see if you can do so without affecting the therapeutic effect of the drug.
7. If you are taking over-the-counter medications from your home medicine cabinet, always check their expiration dates. Taking medications that are no longer fit for consumption can have dire consequences.

Only water to drink

The leaflets usually contain information about the need to drink the medicine with an appropriate amount of fluid, without specific instructions. The best to drink medications is still, low-mineralized still water, at room temperature, or plain, boiled and cooled water. Other drinks have a big impact on the effects of drugs, they can disrupt the absorption process or increase adverse side effects.

1. Due to the presence of calcium, milk adversely affects the absorption of antibiotics. It also reduces acidity in the stomach, which leads to premature breakdown of the gastro-resistant tablets.
2. Ingredients in coffee and tea may interact with medicinal substances, e.g. black tea containing tannin inhibits iron absorption, and caffeine in coffee may enhance or weaken the effectiveness of the drug’s active ingredient.
3. Alcohol and energy interfere with the absorption and excretion of drugs, they can significantly increase their toxicity to the liver, even cause cirrhosis. Alcohol weakens the action of antibiotics, but increases the sedative effect of antidepressants, tranquilizers and antihistamines.
4. Grapefruit juice affects the metabolism of many drugs administered orally, which may even result in cardiac arrhythmias and multiple increases in the blood concentration of active substances from drugs. Therefore, do not drink grapefruit juice and do not eat grapefruit 4 hours before and 4 hours after taking the medicine. It is safest to completely exclude grapefruit juice and fruit from your diet while on treatment. Give up preparations with grapefruit extract for immunity or slimming.

Remember, take your medication responsibly. Follow the principle that in pharmacotherapy more is not necessarily better. Your health is the most important thing, so don’t heal yourself! Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.

More at akademia.nfz.gov.pl