Contents
The drug should be washed down with a sufficient amount of water – we read most often on the leaflets provided with the drugs. And when it is mentioned in the leaflet about “flowing”, its authors also meant – still – water. What we wash down with tablets or capsules really matters. Even – it would seem – harmless milk is not recommended in such a situation.
- Tablets, pills or capsules should be washed down with water, of course still
- Milk, orange juice, or coffee – these drinks can either interfere with the absorption of the drug or cause an adverse reaction with it
- What else should not be washed down with medication?
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Scientists from Saudi Arabia have examined how the effects of drugs are influenced by the drinks they are sipped with. The results were published in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal.
Researchers considered five popular over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic drugs that were taken orally as pills, capsules or tablets. They combined them with coffee, coca-cola, buttermilk, orange juice and an energy drink. The test was carried out at 5 and 37 degrees C and compared with the reaction that occurs when drinking water.
After analyzing the results, they concluded that “test fluids should not be used as substitutes for water while taking medication”. Why? These drinks significantly extended the release time of the active substance, which may cause the drug to dissolve before it is absorbed in its active form by our body. This results in lower drug efficacy and “other potential” problems.
So what not to combine with?
What not to drink medication – coffee
Coffee contains many chemicals and caffeine, and these can interact with medications to increase their effects or worsen side effects. Additionally, hot drinks, such as coffee, can also affect the release time of the active ingredients.
- Seven coffee myths that you still needlessly believe
What not to drink medication – citrus juices
Orange juice, rich in vitamin C, can be great as a standalone drink. But when combined with certain medications, it can interfere with their effect. In the case of paracetamol-based drugs, it may affect its release time. Grapefruit juice, on the other hand, may interfere with the activity of enzymes that are responsible for the metabolism of certain medications.
What not to drink medication – Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola, like other sweetened carbonated drinks, is by definition inadvisable. In combination with the medications taken, it can also cause harm. Carbonated drinks also affect the release time of drugs. In addition, the carbonic acid contained in Coca-Cola in combination with active substances contained in drugs can lead to adverse reactions.
- These drinks damage the liver. It’s not just about alcohol
What not to drink medication – energy drinks
Here, a similar mechanism takes place as in the case of coffee. Caffeine, along with sugar, is one of the most important ingredients in energy drinks. Larger amounts of caffeine may affect the metabolism of some drugs.
What not to drink medication – dairy products
Taking medications with dairy products may cause some medications to dissolve earlier than – ultimately – in the intestines. The calcium contained in milk or buttermilk, in combination with drugs or antibiotics, can create compounds that are not absorbed by our body or make the effects of some substances weakened.
Do you want to reduce stress and improve the quality of sleep? A dietary supplement available in Medonet Market can help
What not to drink medication – alcohol
There is no need to convince anyone that the combination of the medication and alcohol you are taking is harmful. It’s not even just a matter of drinking while taking your medicine. This can, for example, increase the side effects of the drug and make it toxic.
- Your body requires cleansing? Try this supplement!
But it works much longer, also sometime after drinking alcohol, when we want to treat a hangover with paracetamol. This agent is broken down by the body into various chemical compounds, including toxic ones. In turn, one of the effects of alcohol decomposition is acetaldehyde. The combination of these harmful substances will prevent our liver from neutralizing them.