Herb-food interactions
Ø A
food – drug interaction occurs when a
food, or one of its components,
interferes with the effects of a drug in
the body
Ø The
content of certain foods interact with
some drugs and produce alterations in
the pharmacokinetics and
pharmacodynamics of the drug
Adverse Drug-food interactions
Ø Prevent
the therapeutic effect of a medicine
Ø Exaggerate
the therapeutic effect of a medicine
Ø Make
a side effect worst
Ø Cause
a new side effect
Liquorice / Licorice
Ø Common
interactions with:
• Antihypertensive,
Digoxin, immunosuppressant’s, (cyclosporine),
Diuretics
Ø Results
in:
• Glycyrrhetinic acid in licorice which blocks activity of
11B-hydroxsteroid dehydrogenase ultimately causing high blood pressure and salt and water retention
• It
decreases antihypertensive effect
Ø Solution:
• Avoid
licorice derivatives when suffering from Hypertension, Conn’s Disease, and when using
antihypertensive
Omega 3 rich fishes
Tuna, Sardine, Salmon, Mackerel, etc.
Ø Common
interactions with:
• Antiplatelets
and anticoagulants (aspirin, clopidogrel,
warfarin, heparin, alteplase, etc)
Ø Results
in:
Ø Increased
risk of bleeding
Solution:
• Avoid
concomitant use of omega 3 – Containing
foods with the above Drugs
Caffeine Drinks
Coffee, tea, energy drinks, soft drinks, etc
Common interactions with:
Ø Theophylline,
Prednisolone, OCPs, Ciprofloxacin,
Cimetidine
Results in:
Ø Inhibition
of Theophylline metabolism with subsequent adverse effects of it. (Jitteriness,
Insomnia, and Cardiac arrhythmias)
Ø Reduced
caffeine metabolism leads to subsequent
increased effects of caffeine
Grape Juice
Common interactions with:
Ø Statins
(increased risk of rhabdomyolysis), erythromycin, domperidone, amiodarone
(increased risk for QT
prolongation), immuno suppressants (cyclosporine, Tacrolimus,, inhibiting
its metabolism with increased risk of
nephrotoxity), opioids (fentanyl,
ketamine, oxycodone, inhibiting their metabolism with increased risk of respiratory depression).
Vit K rich foods
Foods rich in Vit K – Kale, Collards, Spinach, Turnip
greens, Brussels sprouts and Broccoli,
etc
Common interactions with:
Ø Warfarin
(Blood thinning agents that prevents blood clots)
Results in:
Ø Increased
intake of vit K foods – risk of thrombosis (blood clots).
Ø Reduced
intake – increase risk of bleeding
Other Interactions
Ø High
Fat Meals may elevate the plasma levels of Griseofulvin. Patients
should be instructed not to take
griseofulvin after a high-fat content meal
Ø Protein
Rich Foods may increase the bioavailability of Propranolol
Ø Orange
juice may interact with drugs like
Fexofenadine, Atenolol or Fluoroquinolones