TOP 10 PRESCRIBED DRUGS AND THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH YOUR FAVORITE FOODS AND MEDS

1. Are you taking medication but feel worse after you have taken the medication?
2. Are you confused about why you are feeling sick after taking the meds?
3. Have you ever wondered how your medication interacts with your favorite foods and other meds?

This blog will discuss an overlooked topic about mixing meds and food. When we think of how our body presents side effects from taking medications, we never consider that food taken with medication can cause serious adverse effects. Yep, we’re talking about how the stuff you pop into your mouth can sometimes have a bit of a tango with each other, or even with the food on your plate.

Think of your body like a playground and you have different medications and want to play together, and they do and get along well. But just like with friends, not all medicines get along well, and they might cause some trouble when they mix or you’re taking Medication A for your hypertension, and then your doctor prescribes Medication B for joint pain. They could amplify each other’s effects or, worse, cancel each other out, leaving you feeling like you’re stuck in a medical limbo.

Now, think of food as snacks for these medicines, some snacks make the medicines happy, while others upset them. For example, let’s say you’re taking Medicine C, and it doesn’t like certain foods, like cheese or cured meats. So, even though those snacks might look delicious on a plate, they could make you feel sick if you take that medicine. It’s like a hidden danger in your meal!

Understanding how drugs interfere when mixed with other substances can be confusing but once you gain a clear understanding your medication routine will become much easier to support and you will be able to reduce those adverse or side affects you may be experiencing.

I will cover the 10 most prescribed drugs and their interaction with drugs that will have the most serious effects and food effects.

 Table of Contents:

• Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, Tirosint)
• Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Moxatag, Trimox)
• Metformin (Glucophage, Riomet)
• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Prednisone (Deltasone, Prednicot, Orasone Rayos)
• Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
• Vitamin D (Drisdol, Calciferol)
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Gabapentin (Neurontin, Horizant)

 

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Medication 1: Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, Tirosint)

Form/Dosage Strength: Tablet 25-300 mcg

Frequency: Once daily, in the morning 30 minutes to 1 hour before breakfast.

Reason prescribed: Hyperthyroidism (treat low thyroid hormone levels)

How it works: It’s a synthetic version of thyroxine, a hormone your thyroid gland makes. Thyroxine helps regulate your metabolism, which is like your body’s engine. Taking levothyroxine is like giving your body a boost of what it needs to keep your metabolism running smoothly. It steps in for your thyroid gland and helps your body use energy properly, so you feel more like yourself again.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Hair Loss                                               Rapid Heart Rate                                    Mood Change (irritability, anxiety)

Nausea/Vomiting                                   Excessive Sweating

Headaches                                            Increased Appetite

Weight Gain                                           Muscle Weakness

 

Interactions with food:

• Soy products (tofu, soy milk, tempeh, edamame, soy sauce, and soybean oil): Soy products have phytoestrogens that interfere with the absorption of levothyroxine. When taken with medication it decreases the effectiveness and can lead to lower blood levels. Take medication 1 hour and one an empty before eating any soy product

 

• High-fiber foods (legumes, oats, quinoa, brown rice, whole wheat, apples, bananas, oranges, berries, pears, avocados, almonds, chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, dried prunes, figs, dates, raisins, whole grain cereals, and popcorn): High-fiber foods slow down the absorption in the digestive system. A gel-like substance in your stomach and intestines that causes a delay in the medication entering the bloodstream making the drug less effective. Take medication 1 hour before eating any high-fiber foods.

 

• Coffee and caffeine (energy drinks, teas, sodas): Coffee and caffeine increase stomach acid increasing gastrointestinal motility and speeding up the movement of food and medication through the digestive system they can break down levothyroxine faster and not give it the chance to absorb in the small intestine where absorption takes place. Take medication 1 hour before consuming any caffeine product.

 

• Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice : Grapefruit has furanocoumarins that hinder CYP3A4, an enzyme in your intestines that helps break down medications. When this enzyme is suppressed, it leads to higher levels of levothyroxine to remain in the body longer than intended. Grapefruit-based products stay in the body longer than intended which elevates the level in the bloodstream and can lead to an overdose or other adverse events to happen. It is safer not to take any grapefruit product while prescribed this medication.

 

• Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and cauliflower): Cruciferous veggies have a mixture called goitrogens that interfere with the functions of the thyroid by blocking the uptake of iodine and making the medication less effective. Take your medication 1 hour before consuming levothyroxine.

 

• Calcium and Iron Supplements: Calcium forms an undissolvable complex that minimizes the absorption of the medication in the intestines. This takes away the amount of levothyroxine available to the body, making the medication ineffective. Iron also interferes with the absorption of levothyroxine by making it difficult for the medication to break down in the gastrointestinal tract because iron has a higher affinity which allows iron to absorb in the intestines first and leaves levothyroxine absorption reduced. Suggested to take calcium/iron 4 hours after taking levothyroxine and space out taking calcium/iron about 2 hours apart. Example: Take levothyroxine at 9 am, iron at 1 pm, and calcium at 3 pm.

 

Interactions with alcohol:

• Stomach and intestines: Alcohol causes the lining of the stomach and intestines to inflame which stops the absorption of the medication. The inflammation makes it harder for our body to receive the medication properly by stopping the levothyroxine from entering the digestive tract and going into the bloodstream.

 

• Liver: The liver is like the cleaning crew of your body helping to process both the alcohol and the medication but too much alcohol makes the liver work extra hard. If the liver is busy cleaning up the alcohol it leaves little energy to work on the medication.

 

• Dehydration: Alcohol makes you feel thirsty, and the body loses water. Dehydration affects the blood flow and absorption of medications in the gastrointestinal tract.

 

Interactions with other meds:

• Sodium iodide I-131 (should be prohibited): used to lower the thyroid function if too much thyroid activity is going on and levothyroxine is used to boost thyroid hormones when the thyroid doesn’t make enough. Using both will mess up treatment by the increase in the hormone. Levothyroxine raises the hormone levels, which will stop the radioactive iodine from working by blocking it from reaching the thyroid tissue. The continued use of both treatments can cause a much more serious condition called thyroid storm.

 

• Antithrombin alfa, Antithrombin III, Argatroban, Bemiparin, Bivalirudin, Fondaparinux, Heparin, Phenindione, Protamine, Trofinetide (should be avoided): These drugs belong to a class of drug called anticoagulant medication and they are used to prevent blood clotting. When you take levothyroxine, it’s like putting gas in a car to make it run smoothly. But if you mix it with certain other medications like those you mentioned, it’s like pouring too much gas into the car’s tank. The car might start driving too fast or even break down. In the same way, mixing these medications with levothyroxine can cause problems in your body, like making you bleed too much. So, it’s important to talk to a doctor before taking them together to make sure everything stays safe and works properly.

 

• Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Doxepin, Imipramine, Nortriptyline, Protriptyline, Trimipramine (should be avoided): The listed drugs are prescribed as an antidepressant and are very risky to take with levothyroxine. Mess up your heart rhythm or make your heart race, make you feel dizzy, confused, or sleepy, cause problems with how your body breaks down these medications, leading to too much of them in your system and increase the chance of a dangerous condition called serotonin syndrome, which can cause agitation, confusion, and other serious symptoms.

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Medication 2: Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Moxatag, Trimox)

Form/Dosage Strength: 250 mg to 875 mg per tablet or capsule

Frequency: taken every 8 or 12 hours can be taken with or without food

Reason prescribed: Prescribed to treat bacterial infections (ear, throat, sinus, UTI, skin, dental, and respiratory)

How it works: It works by interfering with the bacteria’s ability to build their cell walls. Amoxicillin is like a wrecking ball for bacteria. Bacteria have walls around them that keep them strong and protected. But amoxicillin messes up the construction of these walls, making them weak. Without strong walls, the bacteria burst and die.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Stomach Troubles

Yeast Infections

Allergic Reactions

Skin Rashes

Diarrhea

 

Interactions with food: Usually, Amoxicillin gets along simply fine with food. It’s sometimes better to take it with a meal to keep your tummy happy. But there are a couple of things you should know:

• Calcium-rich Foods and Supplements: Milk, cheese, or calcium-fortified juices, can reduce the absorption of the antibiotic. This means the medicine might not work as well.

 

Interactions with alcohol: Don’t drink alcohol while taking amoxicillin. It can make you feel sick by giving you an upset stomach or cause dizziness which can affect your judgement.

 

Interactions with other meds:

• Birth Control: If you’re on birth control pills, amoxicillin might make them less effective, so you might need to use another form of birth control while you’re taking it.

 

• Blood Thinners: If you’re taking blood thinners, amoxicillin could make them work more, which might make you bleed more easily.

 

• Methotrexate: This medicine is used for certain conditions like cancer. If you’re taking it, amoxicillin could make it more intense. This could increase the risk of side effects from methotrexate.

 

• Probenecid: This medicine can make amoxicillin stay in your body longer, which might increase the chance of side effects.

 

• Antacids: If you take antacids for your stomach, it’s best not to take them at the same time as amoxicillin. They could make amoxicillin less effective by reducing the absorption, so it’s better to take them a few hours apart.

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Medication 3: Metformin (Glucophage, Riomet)

Form/Dosage Strength: 500mg to 1000mg typically comes in tablet form

Frequency: Usually taken 1 to 3 times per day with meals immediate-release and once daily in the evening with a meal with the extended-release

Reason prescribed: Commonly prescribed for the management of type 2 diabetes.

How it works: Metformin helps the body use sugar better and tells the liver to not make too much of it. This helps keep the sugar levels in the body balanced, like keeping the right amount of fuel in the car so it runs smoothly.

Commonly Reported Side Effects

Gastrointestinal Issues.

Taste Changes

Decreased Appetite

Vitamin B12 Deficiency

Lactic Acidosis (Rare)

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Skin Rash

 

Interactions with food: Metformin is generally well-tolerated and can be taken with most foods.

• High-Fat Meals (French fries, fried chicken, burgers, pizzas, chips, cookies, milk, cheese, desserts): Eating lots of greasy or fatty foods with metformin might make your tummy feel upset. Consuming large amounts of high-fat foods may delay the absorption of metformin.

 

• Skip the Grapefruit: Grapefruit contains something called furanocoumarins. These interfere with a special enzyme in our body called CYP3A4. This enzyme helps break down metformin and other medications. When you eat grapefruit, it can make this enzyme work less effectively, which means metformin stays in your body longer than it should.

 

Interactions with alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking metformin can make you sick. It can lead to a rare but serious problem called lactic acidosis, where there’s too much acid in your body. Alcohol can also mess up your blood sugar levels when combined with metformin. Metformin already has a small risk of causing lactic acidosis, and alcohol can make this risk even higher.

 

Interactions with other meds:

• Water Pills: Some pills that help you get rid of extra water in your body might change how metformin works. Water pills make you pee more, which can wash away metformin from your body faster than usual. Since metformin helps control blood sugar levels, if it’s removed too quickly, it might not work as well. So, if you’re taking water pills and metformin together, your doctor might need to keep an eye on how they’re affecting you.

 

• Tagamet: Tagamet, also known as cimetidine, can change the way metformin works because it affects how your body breaks down the medication. Think of Tagamet as a traffic jam for metformin. Normally, your body processes metformin and gets rid of it, but when Tagamet comes along, it slows down this process. This means metformin stays in your body longer, which can cause more side effects.

 

• Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (brand name Bactrim or Septra): When you take this antibiotic with metformin, it might make your blood sugar levels go higher than usual.

 

• Insulin or sulfonylureajs: Taking metformin with insulin or sulfonylureas can sometimes make your blood sugar levels drop too low. This is called hypoglycemia, and it can be dangerous. It’s like having too little fuel in your body. Both metformin and insulin (or sulfonylureas) work to lower blood sugar levels, but they do so in different ways. When they are taken together, their effects can add up, causing blood sugar levels to drop too low. Hypoglycemia can be dangerous and may cause symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, confusion, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness in severe cases.

 

• Contrast Dye: Contrast dye, also known as contrast agent or contrast medium, is a substance used in medical imaging tests to improve the visibility of internal organs, blood vessels, or tissues imaging procedures such as computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or angiograms.

 

When you have certain tests done with a special dye called contrast dye, it can affect how metformin works in your body. Both the dye and metformin are cleared out of your body by the kidneys. If the dye slows down your kidneys, metformin can build up in your body, which might cause problems.

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Medication 4: Amlodipine (Norvasc)

Form/Dosage Strength: 2.5 mg to 10 mg typically comes in tablet form

Frequency: Commonly taken once a day at the same time.

Reason prescribed: Is prescribed mainly for two things: high blood pressure (hypertension) and chest pain (angina)

How it works: Amlodipine (Norvasc) works by relaxing blood vessels and making it easier for blood to flow smoothly. This helps to lower blood pressure and reduce chest pain. Essentially, it eases the workload on the heart.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs (peripheral edema)

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Flushing (feeling of warmth)

Fatigue or tiredness

Headache

 

Interactions with food: Amlodipine doesn’t typically have significant food interactions.

• Skip the Grapefruit: The compounds in grapefruit juice that interfere with amlodipine are called furanocoumarins. They mess with how your body breaks down the medication, leading to higher levels in your bloodstream. These compounds inhibit enzymes in the gut, particularly cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), increasing the risk of side effects.

 

Interactions with alcohol: Drinking alcohol with amlodipine can make you feel dizzy or lightheaded and may lower your blood pressure too much. So, it’s better to avoid alcohol while taking amlodipine. It can also lower your blood pressure too much, leading to fainting or feeling unwell.

 

Interactions with other meds:

• Other blood pressure medications: Beta-blockers (metoprolol and propranolol), ACE inhibitors (lisinopril and enalapril), angiotensin II receptor blockers (losartan and valsartan), Diuretics (hydrochlorothiazide). Taking these medications with amlodipine can further lower blood pressure, potentially causing side effects like dizziness.
• Certain Antibiotics: When you take certain antibiotics like clarithromycin or erythromycin used to treat bacterial infections with amlodipine, they can make the amlodipine levels in your blood go up. This happens because these antibiotics stop a part of your body from breaking down amlodipine like it normally does. When there’s more amlodipine in your blood, it can make you feel dizzy, give you headaches, or make your ankles, feet, or legs swell. In rare cases, it can even make your blood pressure drop too low, which is dangerous.

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Medication 5: Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Form/Dosage Strength: 10 mg to 80 mg comes in tablet form

Frequency: Once per day in the evening

Reason prescribed: To lower cholesterol levels in your blood

How it works: Atorvastatin (Lipitor) works by stopping the liver from making too much cholesterol and helps remove bad cholesterol from your blood. This lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Muscle pain or weakness

Headache

Digestive issues like nausea, diarrhea, or constipation

Increased blood sugar levels

Liver problems (rare)

 

Interactions with food: There are no specific foods you need to avoid while taking atorvastatin.

• Skip the Grapefruit: Grapefruit can mess with how your body handles atorvastatin, which might make more of the medication stay in your bloodstream. This can raise the chance of side effects happening.

 

Interactions with alcohol: It’s okay to have a drink now and then while taking atorvastatin, but drinking too much alcohol can harm your liver and may affect how well the medication works. So, it’s best to keep your alcohol intake moderate and follow your doctor’s advice.

 

Interactions with other meds:

• Blood thinners (anticoagulants): You should be careful when taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) alongside blood thinners like warfarin. Mixing them can raise the risk of bleeding.

 

• Antibiotics and antifungal medications (Clarithromycin, Erythromycin, Ketoconazole, Itraconazole): When you take atorvastatin with certain antibiotics or antifungal medications, it can slow down how your body gets rid of atorvastatin. As a result, more atorvastatin stays in your bloodstream, which can increase the chances of side effects.

 

• Medications for heart rhythm problems (Amiodarone and Dronedarone): When atorvastatin is taken with certain heart rhythm medications, it can cause muscle-related side effects. Cause muscle-related side effects such as muscle pain, weakness, or cramps.

 

• Medications that weaken the immune system: (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, azathioprine, and methotrexate): Medications like cyclosporine weaken the immune system and slow down how your body gets rid of atorvastatin. This can cause more atorvastatin to stay in your blood, which might lead to side effects such as muscle pain or liver problems.

 

• Certain HIV medications (Lopinavir, Indinavir, Darunavir, Atazanavir, Saquinavir, Tipranavir): HIV medications like protease inhibitors can interfere with atorvastatin by slowing down how your body breaks it down. This can lead to more atorvastatin staying in your bloodstream, which might cause side effects.

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Medication 6: Prednisone (Deltasone, Prednicot, Orasone Rayos)

Form/Dosage Strength: 1 mg to 50 mg and in tablets, oral solution, delayed-release tablets. and oral disintegrating tablets forms

Frequency: Once daily, preferably in the morning

Reason prescribed: Prednisone is a versatile medication used for different health issues. It fights inflammation and calms down the immune system. Doctors prescribe it for arthritis, asthma, and skin problems to ease swelling. It also helps with severe allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases like lupus. After organ transplants, it stops the body from rejecting the new organ. Sometimes, it’s part of cancer treatment to manage side effects. For people with adrenal insufficiency, it replaces hormones. In rare cases, it’s used for severe infections. Overall, prednisone is a handy tool for controlling inflammation and immune reactions in many health conditions.

How it works: Prednisone is like a helper in the body that does a few important things. It acts a bit like a natural hormone called cortisol. When you take prednisone, it goes into cells and changes how certain genes work. This helps in a few ways: It calms down swelling and pain by stopping the body from doing things that cause inflammation. It also weakens the body’s immune system a bit, which can be helpful when the immune system is attacking the body in diseases like arthritis. Prednisone also helps with allergies by reducing the stuff that makes you sneeze and itch. But it can also mess with your body’s sugar levels and how it stores fat, which can lead to things like gaining weight or feeling hungry a lot. So, while it’s helpful for many problems, it needs to be used carefully to avoid causing other issues.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Feeling Hungry                                     Trouble Sleeping                    Weakened Immune System

Weight Gain                                          Mood Changes

Swelling High                                        Blood Sugar

Skin Changes                                       Stomach Issues

Stomach Issues                                    Weak Bones

 

Interactions with food:

–  Grapefruit and Grapefruit Juice: Grapefruit and grapefruit juice have a special chemical that can mess up how your body handles certain medications like prednisone. This means if you take prednisone and have grapefruit or its juice, the medication can stick around in your body longer than it should. That can lead to more side effects and make you feel worse. So, it’s best to avoid grapefruit stuff while you’re on prednisone.

– High-sodium foods: Can interfere with prednisone because prednisone itself can cause fluid retention and increase blood pressure. When you consume foods high in sodium, like processed snacks or fast food, it can worsen these effects. This can lead to more swelling and higher blood pressure, which are already potential side effects of prednisone.

– Calcium-Rich Foods: Prednisone can weaken bones over time, so eating foods rich in calcium helps keep bones strong. You should take calcium supplements at a separate time from prednisone to prevent them from affecting each other’s absorption.

– Potassium-Rich Foods: Prednisone can lower potassium levels, so eating foods with potassium helps maintain a healthy balance. Consuming potassium-rich foods such as bananas, oranges, and potatoes can support the maintenance of healthy potassium levels.

– Caffeine: Prednisone can mess with sleep, and caffeine makes it worse, so it’s best to cut back on coffee and energy drinks. Caffeine can affect medication in several ways. It might slow down the absorption of the medication in your body, making it not work as well. Also, caffeine can make the side effects of some medications worse, like feeling jittery or anxious. It can even make certain health conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart palpitations, worse when you’re already taking medication for them.

– Licorice: Licorice can mess with medication because it can affect things like blood pressure and potassium levels in your body. When you’re taking certain medications that also mess with these things, like for blood pressure, licorice can make them stronger, which can be risky.

 

Interactions with alcohol:

– Alcohol: Alcohol and prednisone don’t mix well. Drinking alcohol while taking prednisone can make your stomach hurt more and might even give you ulcers. It can also make some of prednisone’s side effects, like mood swings and trouble sleeping, worse.

 

Interactions with other meds:

– Ibuprofen or naproxen: Ibuprofen or naproxen can mess with prednisone because they both can hurt your stomach. Taking them together can make your stomach more likely to bleed or get ulcers.

– Blood thinners: These two can mess with each other because they both can make you bleed more. Taking them together can make bleeding worse. Prednisone has the potential to influence the metabolism of anticoagulants, resulting in a change in the amount within the body. Such changes may risk their ability to effectively prevent blood clots from forming.

– Diuretics (water pills): When you take diuretics, also known as water pills, along with prednisone, it can cause some trouble. Both medications can lower the level of potassium in your body. If you take them together, it can make your potassium levels drop even more. This can lead to problems like muscle weakness, cramps, or irregular heartbeats.

– Antibiotics and antifungal medications (erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, Rifampin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin): Antibiotics and antifungal drugs can mess with how prednisone works in your body. They can change how your body breaks down and uses prednisone, which might make it not work as well or cause more side effects. And, in return, prednisone can also affect how these antibiotics and antifungal drugs work, which can lead to problems with their effectiveness or side effects.

– Vaccines (measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine and varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, influenza (flu), pneumonia, or hepatitis): If you’re taking prednisone, vaccines for things like the flu, pneumonia, or hepatitis might not do their job as well. That’s because prednisone weakens your body’s ability to fight off diseases. Even if you get vaccinated, you might not be as protected as you should be. When you’re taking prednisone, your immune system may not react as strongly to the vaccines, which can make them less effective in protecting against these diseases.

– Diabetes medications (Insulin, glipizide, glyburide, repaglinide, nateglinide, pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, sitagliptin, sitagliptin, liraglutide, exenatide, empagliflozin, and canagliflozin): These diabetes medications mess with prednisone because they both deal with sugar levels in your body, but in different ways. Prednisone makes your blood sugar levels go up, which is not good if you have diabetes. When you take these medications together, they might not be able to control your blood sugar levels as well because prednisone fights against them. This can make it harder to manage diabetes.

– Epilepsy or seizures (Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Valproic acid, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, and Topiramate):  When you take medicines for epilepsy or seizures along with prednisone, they can affect how your body processes them. Prednisone can change how these epilepsy medicines work in your body, making them less effective and not lasting as long. This might mean the epilepsy medicine doesn’t work as well as it should or causes more side effects. On the flip side, epilepsy medicines can also change how prednisone works. This could make prednisone less effective or cause more side effects.

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Medication 7: Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)

Form/Dosage Strength: 5 mg to 40 mg available in tablet form

Frequency: Once daily, preferably at the same time

Reason prescribed: Lisinopril is prescribed to lower high blood pressure. It helps by relaxing blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow. This medication is also used to treat heart failure, improve survival after a heart attack, and protect the kidneys in people with diabetes.

How it works: Think of lisinopril as a traffic controller in your body. It helps widen the roads (your blood vessels) so that traffic (blood) can flow better. By doing this, it takes pressure off the heart and makes it easier for blood to get around. This helps lower high blood pressure and makes sure your heart works more efficiently. It also protects your kidneys, by putting less stress on them, especially if you have diabetes.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Dizziness or lightheadedness                  Headache

Nausea                                                     Cough

Rash                                                         Fatigue

 

Interactions with food:

– High-sodium foods: Too much salt can make lisinopril’s job harder. It might raise your blood pressure, which is the opposite of what the medicine is supposed to do.

– Potassium-Rich Foods: Lisinopril can sometimes bump up potassium levels in your blood. While potassium is good, too much of it can cause problems. Eating lots of potassium-rich foods like bananas can make this even worse.

 

Interactions with alcohol:

– Alcohol: Combining alcohol with lisinopril can make you feel dizzy or faint because they both lower blood pressure. It’s like pushing down on a seesaw from both sides—it can make you feel woozy or like you might pass out.

 

Interactions with other meds:

– Diuretics (water pills): Diuretics and lisinopril both help lower blood pressure, but they do it in different ways. When you take them together, they can team up and reduce your blood pressure too much. It’s like having two superheroes trying to save the day at once—it can cause problems.

– Ibuprofen and naproxen: Ibuprofen and naproxen are pain relievers that you might take for a headache or sore muscles. When you take them with lisinopril, the blood pressure medicine, they can make it not work as well. Also, they can be tough on your kidneys, especially if you already have kidney problems. This happens because they can counteract or weaken the effects of lisinopril in lowering blood pressure. So, it’s like they’re working against each other instead of helping you.

– Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics: Potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics interfere with lisinopril because they can raise potassium levels in your blood to dangerous levels. Lisinopril can already increase potassium levels, so adding more potassium on top of that can lead to a condition called hyperkalemia, which can be harmful to your heart and other organs. It’s like pouring too much syrup on your pancakes—it can make things too sweet and not good for you. These medicines can make the potassium in your blood too high, which can be risky for your body, especially your heart.

– Pain medications (Codeine, Morphine, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Tramadol): Taking pain medications like codeine, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, and tramadol with lisinopril can make your blood pressure drop too much. Lisinopril already lowers blood pressure, and when you add these pain medications, they can make it drop even more. It’s like trying to slow down a car by pressing the brake pedal and the gas pedal at the same time. It confuses the car’s system and makes it harder to control. Similarly, these medications can confuse your body’s blood pressure control system, making it harder for lisinopril to work properly.

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Medication 8: Vitamin D (Drisdol, Calciferol)

Form/Dosage Strength: 400 IU (international units) to 5000 IU, while prescription-strength supplements can be higher, such as 50,000 IU

Frequency: Daily for 400 IU or 1000 IU, weekly 50,000 IU

Reason prescribed: Vitamin D is often prescribed to help maintain strong bones, prevent bone-related issues like osteoporosis, and fix deficiencies that can occur when we don’t get enough sunlight or vitamin D-rich foods. It’s crucial for keeping muscles healthy, especially as we age, and may even have some benefits for our immune system, though more research is needed in that area. Some healthcare providers also recommend it as part of efforts to prevent chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Essentially, it’s like a booster shot for our bones and muscles, ensuring they stay strong, and our bodies keep running smoothly.

How it works: Vitamin D helps our bodies use calcium and phosphorus, which are like building blocks for our bones and other important parts of our body. When we’re out in the sun or eat certain foods, our body gets vitamin D. It’s like a helper that makes sure our bones stay strong by getting the right stuff from our food into our bones. It also helps our muscles work well and does other important jobs in our body, like helping our immune system stay healthy. So, it’s like a superhero for our bones and muscles, making sure they stay strong, and our body stays healthy.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Nausea                                                 Headaches

Constipation                                        Weakness

Fatigue                                                 Increased Thirst

 

Interactions with food:

– Take with Fatty Foods: Vitamin D likes to be friends with fat, so eating it with foods like fish, cheese, or eggs helps your body absorb it better.

– Eat Calcium-Rich Foods: Vitamin D helps your body use calcium, so eating foods like milk, yogurt, or leafy greens with vitamin D supplements can be helpful.

– Try Vitamin D-Fortified Foods: Some foods like orange juice or breakfast cereals have extra vitamin D added to them. Eating these with your supplement gives you even more.

– Healthy Iron Absorption: Having enough vitamin D might help your body use iron better. You can find iron in foods like meat, beans, or cereals.

– Watch the Fiber: Eating lots of fiber is good, but too much can block your body from absorbing vitamin D well. Just try not to have too much fiber with your vitamin D supplements.

 

Interactions with alcohol:

– Alcohol: When we drink alcohol, it can make it hard for some medicines, like vitamin D, to do their job in our bodies. See, alcohol can upset our stomachs and make our insides feel funny, which might make it tough for the medicine to work like it should. And our livers, they’re like the bosses in our bodies that break down both alcohol and medicine. But if they’re too busy with alcohol, they might not be able to help the medicine work right. Also, drinking too much alcohol means we might not get all the good stuff our bodies need like vitamin D. It can even make the medicine stronger, so we might feel more tired or dizzy than usual. And if we drink a lot of alcohol all the time, it can hurt our livers, making it even harder for them to handle medicine.

 

Interactions with other meds:

– Weight Loss Medications (Orlistat (Xenical, Alli), Phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira), Lorcaserin (Belviq), Bupropion/naltrexone (Contrave), Liraglutide (Saxenda): When you take medicines to help you lose weight, they can make it hard for your body to use certain vitamins, like vitamin D. These medicines stop your body from taking in fat from your food, but they can also stop your body from getting the vitamins that are in that fat, like vitamin D. So if you’re taking these medicines, your body might not get enough vitamin D, which helps keep your bones and body strong and healthy.

– Cholesterol-Lowering Medications:

*Statins: Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Simvastatin (Zocor), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Lovastatin (Mevacor), Pravastatin (Pravachol)

*Bile Acid Sequestrants: Cholestyramine (Prevalite), Colesevelam (Welchol), Colestipol (Colestid)

* Ezetimibe (Zetia)

*PCSK9 Inhibitors: Alirocumab (Praluent) and Evolocumab (Repatha)

*Fibrates: Gemfibrozil (Lopid) and Fenofibrate (Tricor, Trilipix)

Some medicines that help lower cholesterol levels in our bodies can also make it harder for us to soak up important vitamins, like vitamin D. These medicines work by catching things called bile acids in our tummies, which help us take in fats and vitamins. But when they catch these acids, they stop them from doing their job, and they go away instead of helping us get the vitamins we need.

Think of these medicines like a goalie in a soccer game. They’re great at catching the ball (in this case, bile acids), but sometimes they catch too many and stop them from helping us score goals (absorbing vitamins like vitamin D). So, it’s like our team might need extra players (vitamin D pills) to make sure we can still win the game (stay healthy).

– Corticosteroids (Prednisone (Deltasone, Rayos), Prednisolone (Prelone, Orapred), Methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol), Dexamethasone (Decadron), Hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), Triamcinolone (Aristocort, Kenalog), Fludrocortisone (Florinef):

Corticosteroids are like workers in your body that help with inflammation and other problems. But sometimes, they can mess with how your body uses important stuff, like vitamin D. See, when you take corticosteroids, they can make it hard for your body to absorb calcium, which is like the building blocks for strong bones. Vitamin D helps with that, but if you’re not getting enough calcium, you might not get enough vitamin D either. So, it’s like a chain reaction!

Imagine corticosteroids are like the traffic lights in a city. They help control the flow of traffic, but sometimes they cause delays. In this case, the delays are like how corticosteroids can affect how your body absorbs vitamin D. Vitamin D is like the fuel for your bones, helping them stay strong and healthy. But when the traffic lights (corticosteroids) cause delays, it can make it harder for your body to get enough fuel (vitamin D) to keep your bones running smoothly.

– Seizure Medications (Carbamazepine (Tegretol)Valproic acid (Depakote), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Lamotrigine (Lamictal),, Levetiracetam (Keppra), Topiramate (Topamax), Gabapentin (Neurontin), Pregabalin (Lyrica): Taking seizure medicines can sometimes make it tricky for your body to use vitamin D properly. It’s like the medicine works too fast and uses up vitamin D too quickly, leaving your bones without enough strength. Imagine vitamin D as the superhero for your bones, but when you take these medicines, it’s as if the superhero vanishes too soon, and your bones don’t get enough support. That’s why sometimes your doctor might suggest extra vitamin D to keep your bones strong while you’re taking seizure medicines.

– Osteoporosis Medications (Alendronate (Fosamax), Risedronate (Actonel), Ibandronate (Boniva), Zoledronic acid (Reclast), Raloxifene (Evista), Denosumab (Prolia), Teriparatide (Forteo), Romosozumab (Evenity): Sometimes, the medicines for weak bones can make it hard for your body to use vitamin D. Think of vitamin D like the magic sunshine that makes your bones grow strong. But when you take these medicines, it’s like the magic sunshine disappears too quickly, and your bones don’t get enough strength. Imagine your bones like a fortress, and vitamin D is the special sunlight that makes them strong. But when you take medicines for weak bones, it’s like the sunshine vanishes too soon, and your fortress doesn’t get enough power.

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Medication 9: Ozempic (semaglutide)

Form/Dosage Strength: Common dosage 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg per injection

Frequency: Injected once weekly

Reason prescribed: Ozempic (semaglutide) is usually prescribed to help adults with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. While it’s not specifically designed as a weight loss medication, some people may experience weight loss as a side effect when taking it. Doctors may consider prescribing it off-label for weight management in certain situations.

How it works: Imagine your body is like a machine that needs fuel (sugar) to run smoothly. Sometimes, if you have too much sugar, it can cause problems, like a machine getting clogged up. Ozempic is like a helper that comes in and tells your body how to use the sugar better. It helps your body use sugar more healthily, like putting the right amount of fuel in the machine. It also helps slow down how fast your body gets hungry, so you don’t feel like you need to eat as much. Overall, it’s like having a little coach inside your body, teaching it how to handle sugar better and keeping everything running smoothly.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Hypoglycemia                                               Injection site reactions                                       Diarrhea, Nausea

Decreased appetite                                      Abdominal pain,

Headache                                                     Vomiting

 

Interactions with food:

– Highly processed, Carbohydrate, and Sugary foods: Highly processed, rich carbohydrate and sugary foods are like fast food snacks and meals. They’re often packed with stuff that’s not so good for you, like extra sugar and unhealthy fats. When you eat these foods, they can make your blood sugar levels jump up fast. But when you’re taking Ozempic, you want your blood sugar to stay steady.

Think of highly processed foods like candy villains in your body’s adventure. They’re sneaky and can make your blood sugar levels go on a wild rollercoaster ride. But when you’re taking Ozempic, you want your blood sugar levels to stay calm like a peaceful lake. So, it’s better to skip the candy villains and choose healthier snacks like fruits or nuts that keep your body’s adventure smooth and steady

– Fruit juices: V Fruit juices are super tasty, but they can make your blood sugar levels go up fast. It’s because they have a lot of natural sugar without the fiber that helps your body handle sugar better. When you’re taking Ozempic, you want your blood sugar levels to stay steady like a calm river, not go up and down like a roller coaster. So, it’s better to enjoy whole fruits with their natural fiber instead of drinking fruit juice

 

Interactions with alcohol:

– Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can make your blood sugar levels go all over the place, especially when you’re taking Ozempic. It might make your blood sugar drop too low, which isn’t good. Also, when you drink alcohol, you might feel like eating more, and you might pick not-so-healthy snacks. So, it’s best to avoid drinking too much alcohol when you’re trying to keep your body healthy, and your blood sugar levels steady. Just stick to making good choices to keep your body happy!

Imagine your body is like a car, and your blood sugar levels are the fuel gauge telling you how much energy you have. When you drink alcohol, it’s like pouring too much gas into the car – it messes up the gauge and makes it hard to know how much fuel you have. Sometimes, it might even make the gauge go too low, which can make you feel tired and not so good.

 

Interactions with other meds:

– Insulin or Insulin-Secretagogues (Glipizide (Glucotrol), Glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta), Glimepiride (Amaryl), Repaglinide (Prandin), Nateglinide (Starlix): When you take Ozempic, it helps your body manage sugar better. But when you add medications like sulfonylureas or meglitinides, they also tell your body to release more insulin. It’s like having two superheroes doing the same job at once. Sometimes, having too many superheroes can cause problems, like making your blood sugar levels drop too low.

Imagine your body is like a school playground, and Ozempic is like the teacher who helps keep everything running smoothly. Now, if you add other medicines like sulfonylureas or meglitinides, they’re like inviting more friends to play. But sometimes, too many friends playing at once can lead to chaos, like everyone trying to swing on the swings at the same time!

 

– Blood pressure medications:

* ACE Inhibitors (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors): Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), Enalapril (Vasotec), Ramipril (Altace)

* ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers): Losartan (Cozaar), Valsartan (Diovan), Olmesartan (Benicar)

* Beta-Blockers: Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL), Atenolol (Tenormin), Carvedilol (Coreg)

* Calcium Channel Blockers: Amlodipine (Norvasc), Diltiazem (Cardizem), Verapamil (Calan)

* Diuretics (Water Pills): Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), Chlorthalidone (Thalitone), Furosemide (Lasix)

Think of Ozempic and blood pressure medications as two groups of superheroes. Ozempic helps your body with sugar, and blood pressure meds keep your blood pressure in check. But when they work together, it’s like too many superheroes in one place! They might put too much pressure on your kidneys, and the cleaning crew of your body, causing trouble. So, your doctor needs to make sure they work together nicely without causing any problems for your kidneys!

Imagine Ozempic is like a gardener who waters your plants, and blood pressure medications are like helpers who keep your garden tidy. But if they both work too hard together, they might accidentally flood your garden, causing problems for the flowers (your kidneys)

 

– Gastrointestinal medications:

* Antacids: Tums (calcium carbonate), Maalox (aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide), Mylanta (aluminum hydroxide/magnesium hydroxide/simethicone) 

*  Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Omeprazole (Prilosec), Esomeprazole (Nexium), Lansoprazole (Prevacid)

* H2 Blockers (Histamine-2 Receptor Antagonists): Ranitidine (Zantac), Famotidine (Pepcid), Cimetidine

* Prokinetics: Metoclopramide (Reglan) and Domperidone (Motilium)

* Antidiarrheals: Loperamide (Imodium) and Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol

*Laxatives: Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX) and Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)

Imagine your stomach is like a kitchen where food and medications get processed. Ozempic works by slowing down the kitchen’s pace, like a slow-cooking stew, to help control blood sugar. Now, some gastrointestinal medications, like ones that speed up stomach emptying or reduce stomach acid, can mess with Ozempic’s recipe. They might either speed things up too much or change the ingredients, making Ozempic less effective.

 

– Oral Medications for Diabetes:

* SGLT2 Inhibitors (Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors): Canagliflozin (Invokana), Dapagliflozin (Farxiga), Empagliflozin (Jardiance))

* Metformin: Glucophage, Glumetza, Fortamet

* Sulfonylureas: Glipizide (Glucotrol), Glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase), Gliclazide (Diamicron)

* Meglitinides: Repaglinide (Prandin) and Nateglinide (Starlix) 

* Thiazolidinediones (TZDs): Pioglitazone (Actos) and Rosiglitazone (Avandia)

* DPP-4 Inhibitors (Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors): Sitagliptin (Januvia), Saxagliptin (Onglyza), Linagliptin (Tradjenta) 

Oral diabetes medications and Ozempic both have the job of helping lower blood sugar levels, but they go about it differently. When you use them together, they can sometimes get in each other’s way or cause problems because they’re doing their jobs in different ways.

Imagine you have two superheroes: one is Ozempic, and the other is your oral diabetes medication. They both have their special powers to keep your blood sugar levels in check. But when they team up, sometimes they get a bit too enthusiastic and cause problems. It’s like having too many cooks in the kitchen! They might make your blood sugar levels drop too low or give you a tummy ache.

 

– Antibiotics:

* Sulfonamides: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), Sulfadiazine, Sulfamethoxazole

* Tetracyclines: Doxycycline, Minocycline, Tetracycline

* Fluoroquinolones: Ciprofloxacin (Cipro), Levofloxacin (Levaquin), Moxifloxacin (Avelox)

* Macrolides: Azithromycin (Zithromax), Clarithromycin (Biaxin), Erythromycin

* Cephalosporins: Cephalexin (Keflex), Cefuroxime (Ceftin), Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)

* Penicillin’s: Amoxicillin, Penicillin VK, Ampicillin

Okay, imagine you have two teams of superheroes. One team, called Antibiotics, fights off the bad germs in your body when you’re sick. The other team, called Ozempic, helps keep your sugar levels in check. But sometimes, when they have to work together, it’s like trying to play two different games at once. It can get a little confusing, like when two puzzle pieces don’t fit together perfectly.

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Medication 10: Gabapentin (Neurontin, Horizant)

Form/Dosage Strength: Neurontin capsules and tablets are commonly available in strengths of 100 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg, while Horizant offers extended-release tablets in 300 mg and 600 mg strengths. Neurontin’s oral solution typically comes in a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL

Frequency: Taken orally either once or multiple times a day

Reason prescribed: Gabapentin, like Neurontin and Horizant, is given by doctors for different reasons. It’s mainly used for nerve pain from things like diabetes or shingles and to help control seizures in epilepsy. Sometimes, doctors might give it for other problems like anxiety or migraines, even though it’s not officially for those.

How it works: Imagine your nerves are like a bunch of busy phone lines. Sometimes, they can get too chatty, sending out pain signals or causing seizures. Gabapentin acts like a chill pill for these nerves, calming them down and stopping them from being too loud. So, it helps reduce pain and prevents seizures by quieting down those overactive nerves.

Commonly Reported Side Effects:

Dizziness                                                Dry mouth

Drowsiness                                             Fatigue

Headache                                               Nausea

 

Interactions with food: Gabapentin doesn’t typically interact with specific foods. Also, it’s a good idea to take gabapentin either on an empty stomach or with a light meal, as heavy or fatty foods might make it take longer to start working.

 

Interactions with alcohol:

– Alcohol: Gabapentin can make you feel really sleepy and dizzy, and if you add alcohol, it can make these feelings even stronger. So, it’s important not to drink any alcohol when you’re taking gabapentin. Mixing them can be dangerous.

 

Interactions with other meds:

– Antacids with aluminum or magnesium: Antacids with aluminum or magnesium can mess with how gabapentin works because they can stop your body from absorbing it properly. When gabapentin isn’t absorbed well, it might not do its job of helping you feel better. So, it’s best to avoid taking antacids with gabapentin at the same time.

 

– Opioid pain medications: (codeine, oxycodone, or morphine): Opioid pain medications and gabapentin can both make you feel sleepy and slow down your body. When you take them together, it’s like they team up to make these feelings even stronger. Taking opioid pain medications (like codeine or oxycodone) with gabapentin is a bit like having two friends who love to make you sleepy. When they hang out together, they can make you feel even more tired and slow.

 

– Drugs that cause central nervous system depression:

* Muscle Relaxants:(baclofen, cyclobenzaprine, and tizanidine)

* Benzodiazepines:(diazepam or alprazolam)

Taking muscle relaxants and benzodiazepines with gabapentin is like having two sleepy potions. When you mix them, they make you even more tired than if you took just one. Taking muscle relaxants and benzodiazepines with gabapentin is like adding more weight to a backpack you’re already carrying. Each one can make you feel sleepy or dizzy, and when you combine them, it’s like adding extra weight, making you feel even more tired or off balance.

 

– Medications used to treat seizures: Carbamazepine (Tegretol), Valproic acid (Depakote), Lamotrigine (Lamictal), Levetiracetam (Keppra), Phenytoin (Dilantin), Topiramate (Topamax), Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), Phenobarbital, Ethosuximide (Zarontin): Medicines for seizures and gabapentin can both affect how your brain works. When you take them together, they might make each other stronger, which could make you feel more tired or dizzy. Combining medications for seizures with gabapentin is like mixing two flavors of ice cream. Each one tastes good on its own, but when you mix them, the flavors become stronger together.

 

– Some common antidepressants:

* Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): Fluoxetine (Prozac), Sertraline (Zoloft), Escitalopram (Lexapro), Paroxetine (Paxil), Citalopram (Celexa)

* Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): Venlafaxine (Effexor), Duloxetine (Cymbalta), Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

* Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): Phenelzine (Nardil) and Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

* Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): Amitriptyline, Nortriptyline, Imipramine, Clomipramine 

Some antidepressants and gabapentin can both affect how your brain works. When you take them together, they might make each other stronger, which could make you feel more tired or dizzy. Combining antidepressants with gabapentin is a bit like mixing two types of paint. Each paint has its color, but when you mix them, they create a new, stronger color.

 

Conclusion:

• Talk to Your Doctor: Before mixing any medicines, food, or drinks like alcohol, it’s smart to chat with your doctor. They can tell you if it’s safe or not.
• Read Labels: When you get medicine from the pharmacy, read the instructions carefully. It might say if you can take it with food or not.
• Stay Away from Alcohol: Alcohol as much as you can  because it can mess with how some medicines work, so it’s best to avoid it when you’re taking medicine.
  Know
• Your Medicines: Be familiar with the medicines you’re taking. Keep a list of them and know what they’re for.
• Take Medicines Right: Take your medicines at the right time, and follow any instructions about eating before or after.
  Watch for Weird Feelings: If you start feeling strange after taking medicine or eating, let an adult know.
• Keep Track: Write down when you take your medicine, what you eat, and if you have any alcohol. It helps you remember and helps your doctor too.
• Ask Questions: If you’re not sure about something, ask! It’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

Remember, it’s important to be careful with medicine and food. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or pharmacist and most of all be willing to do your own research about what you are putting in your body. You need to know your health better than the doctor so you can be in control of your treatment. Never trust anyone with 100% of your health not even your doctor and if you need help managing your med look into  www.evaluatemymeds.com.