| If You Take | With | This May Happen |
| ACNE | | |
| Isotretinoin (Accutane) | Vitamin A supplements | Toxicity may result, causing severe headaches, dry eyes and possibly liver damage. Note: Multivitamins containing vitamin A are safe to take with this medication. |
ANTIBIOTICS/ ANTI-INFECTIVES | | |
| Erythromycin | Grapefruit juice | Increases levels of the drug in the bloodstream, which may increase side effects. |
Tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) | Milk and other dairy products; calcium-fortified foods such as orange juice; and calcium, iron or zinc supplements (if they are consumed wsithin two hours of taking the drug) | May reduce absorption, reducing the drug's effectiveness. |
| Metronidazole (Flagyl) | Alcohol | Reactions may include flushing, nausea, vomiting, headaches and abdominal cramps, especially with excessive amounts of alcohol. |
ANXIETY/ DEPRESSION | | |
| MAO(monoamine oxidase) inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcpromine (Parnate) | Aged cheeses, pickled fish, salami, fava beans, wine, beer, soy sauce, packaged gravies, fermented foods, dried meats like beef jerky, brewer's yeast or other foods and beverages containing tyramine. | May cause headaches, chest pain and dangerously high blood pressure, possibly resulting in stroke. |
| Doxepin (Sinequan) | Carbonated beverages or grape juice. | The drug's effectiveness may be compromised, meaning you'll experience reduced control of depressive symptoms. |
| Alprazolam (Xanax) or diazepam (Valium) | Alcohol | May cause excessive sedation and slowed reaction time. |
| ASTHMA | | |
| Theophylline (Theolair) | High-protein or high-carbohydrate meals. | High-protein meals may increase absorption, leading to increased side effects; high-carbohydrate meals may decrease absorption, reducing effectiveness. |
| BIRTH CONTROL | | |
| Oral contraceptives (the pill) | Caffeine | You may feel overly stimulated or have trouble sleeping, since the caffeine may stay in your body longer. |
| Oral contraceptives (the Pill) | high doses of vitamin C supplements (more than 1,000 mg a day) | Estrogen levels may rise, leading to breast pain and bleeding. |
| CHOLESTEROL | | |
| Cholesterol-reducing drugs, known as statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor) and simvastatin (Zocor) | Grapefruit juice or grapefruit | Increases levels of the drug in the bloodstream, which may cause headaches, stomach discomfort and muscle aches. |
| COLD & SINUS | | |
| Over-the-counter antihistamines | Alcohol | May cause excessive sedation and slowed reaction time. |
| DIABETES | | |
| Metformin (Glucophage) | Alcohol | Increased risk of lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the bloodstream that can be fatal. |
| Sulfonylureas, such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase) or tolbutamide (Orinase) | Foods that raise blood sugar, including high-sugar foods and refined flour. | May lessen the effectiveness of the drug, causing a reduced control over blood sugar. |
| HEARTBURN/UPSET STOMACH | | |
| Antacids, such as tums or rolaids | milk | You may secrete more stomach acid, causing acid reflux. If people with iimpaired kidney function habitually consume milk within two hours of taking these medications, kidney failure may occur. Note: Taking antacids with a high-protein meal will enhance absorption. |
| H2 blockers, such as cimetidine (Tagamet) | Caffeine | May cause irritability and overstimulation, especially if you drink several cups of coffee a day. |
| HEART PROBLEMS | | |
| Digoxin (Lanoxin), a drug used to treat heart failure and heart rhythm disturbances | Licorice root (not candy) | The active ingredient in licorice (glycyrrhizinic acid) can cause potassium depletion, resulting in irregular heartbeat. |
| The blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin) | Foods high in vitamin K, including liver; dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, garlic; onions; flaxseed oil; wheat and barley grass; psyllium; green tea. | May alter blood coagulation, lessening the drug's effectiveness. |
| HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE | | |
| calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), felodipine (Plendil) or verapamil (Calan) | grapefruit juice | May increase the effects of the drug, causing a rapid drop in blood pressure as well as lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting. |
| ACE inhibitors, such as captopril (Capoten) and enalapril (Vasotec); and potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone) or triamterene (Dyrenium) | Excessive amounts of high-potassium foods such as bananas, oranges, legumes and red meats. | Potassium levels may increase, which in severe cases may lead to irregular heartbeat. |
| LAXATIVES | | |
| Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) | Milk | May cause stomach irritation |
| OSTEOPOROSIS | | |
| Alendronate (Fosamax) | Food and beverages other than water | The drug will nto be absorbed. It must be taken with a full glass of water first thing in the morning and at least 30 minutes before eating your first meal or taking other drugs. Sit upright after taking it to make sure it gets into the stomach. If taken incorrectly, it can cause esophageal irritation. |
| PAIN RELIEVERS | | |
| Aspirin | Alcohol | May increase the risk of heartburn, stomach upset and irritation, and gastric bleeding. |
| PARKINSON'S DISEASE | | |
| Carbidopa and levodopa (Sinemet) | high-protein meals | For some, the absorption of the drug may be delayed. Check with your neurologist if you think you're having a problem. |
| SMOKING CESSATION | | |
| Nicorette gum | Orange juice, coffee or cola | Absorption of the gum's active ingredients may be reduced if you drink these beverages and chew the gum at the same time./ |
| THYROID | | |
| Thyroid hormone (Synthroid) | Calcium or iron supplements. | Absorption of the hormone could be significantly reduced. After taking thyroid medication, wait at least an hour before taking calcium or iron supplements. Note: For best absorption, the drug should be tken on an empty stomach. However, if it causes an upset stomach, you can take it with food as long as it's done consistently. |