Most of the package inserts for the drugs we take tell us about their side effects, but they rarely explain how they interact with food.In general, food does not decrease the effectiveness of the medicine., although in some cases this effect may occur, or there may even be other undesirable consequences.
The Spanish Heart Foundation makes some recommendations on what foods to accompany, or not, certain drugs. For example, acetylsalicylic acid, found in aspirin, should be taken with food, as it can irritate the stomach. On the other hand, patients with heart problems who takecardiological drugs should be careful with grapefruit juice, since it alters the pH of the small intestine and can favor the toxicity of the drug. And in the case of pills to avoid high blood pressure, you also have to be careful: if the drugs belong to the ACEI group, it is advisable to avoid salt substitutes that contain potassium, since these drugs interfere with the correct elimination of the mineral.
Blood thinners are another group of medications that are prescribed to many people. Experts recommend that in these cases you should avoid excessive consumption ofbroccoli and brussels sprouts, papaya, garlic, ginger, licorice, beef liver, and green teaas they can reduce the effect of the pill. On the other hand, alcohol consumption can enhance the anticoagulant action if it contains acenocoumarol.
In addition, it must be remembered that drugs should not be abused. For example, the Spanish Society of Community Pharmacy has warned that more than 8.5 million Spaniards ingest daily doses of ibuprofen higher than recommended. While for mild or moderate headaches a dose of 400 milligrams would suffice,80 percent of the units dispensed by pharmacies are 600 milligrams. Experts explain that side effects and the risk of having a cardiovascular accident increase when the dose of this drug is increased.
