How milk inhibits drug-effect

Certain foods can affect the effectiveness of medicines

06/04/2014

Some foods may negatively impact drug efficacy. This is announced by the Federal Association of German Pharmacist Associations (ABDA) on the occasion of the Pharmacy Day on 5 June. Patients should never take milk and antibiotics together. But licorice, grapefruit and goji berries can also affect the effects of medicines. The ABDA advises patients to inform themselves in advance about possible interactions in the pharmacy.

Interactions of milk and antibiotics
About half of Germans have taken over-the-counter and / or prescription drugs within the past three months. But only 44 percent of Germans have been in advance, according to ABDA specifically inquired about possible interactions. „We suspect that significantly more patients are affected by potential interactions. Therefore, we inform on the 'Day of the pharmacy' under the motto 'Safe is (s) t sure' about interactions between drugs and food. This is part of our image campaign“, explains the ABDA President, Friedemann Schmidt. „Anyone who regularly takes medication, should ask in the pharmacy for possible interactions and how they can be umschifft.“

Milk is one of the foods that should not be taken with any medication without hesitation. Thus, the calcium from the milk in the gastrointestinal tract enters into poorly soluble compounds with certain drugs that can not be absorbed by the blood. This applies, for example, to antibiotics and medicines for bone loss. Their effectiveness can be prevented or at least impaired by milk.

Interactions of drugs and goji berries, grapefruit and liquorice
Other foods that also interact with certain medications include grapefruit and pomelos, goji berries and licorice. For example, patients taking so-called vitamin K antagonists (anticoagulants) should refrain from eating goji berries because they increase the effect of the remedies. According to the ABDA, bleeding could occur, but it is still unclear what mechanism is behind it.

Those who suffer from elevated blood lipid levels or immunosuppressants should refrain from grapefruit and pomelos. Some ingredients of the fruits affect the breakdown of the drugs as well as the drug delivery. This may increase or decrease the effect of the drugs

Licorice can decrease the effectiveness of lowering blood pressure, as some substances in the treat contribute to blood pressure elevation. In addition, liquorice promotes potassium excretion via the kidneys, which can lead to muscle weakness. People who suffer from hypertension should therefore refrain from liquorice.