What shouldn’t you take with your medications?alcohol, milk, coffee and fruit juices – do they affect the absorption of medicines?

Sipping medications is often an inevitable part of the healing process, but it’s worth knowing that not all fluids are suitable as companions for our medications.In this article, we will look at what you should not drink with medications, why some drinks may affect the absorption of medications, and what are the best practices to ensure the effectiveness of therapy.Find out why alcohol, coffee, teas, herbal infusions, fruit juices and dairy products may be a problem when taking medications.

Taking medications with alcohol

Alcohol and drugs are a combination that can be dangerous.Alcohol can affect the effects of medications, changing their absorption and effectiveness.Additionally, it may increase the risk of side effects and cause dangerous interactions.This is especially important in the case of painkillers, sedatives or antibiotics.Therefore, you should always avoid drinking alcohol during drug therapy.

Taking medications with coffee, tea or herbal infusions

Coffee, tea and herbal infusions contain chemicals that may affect the absorption of medicines.The caffeine in coffee and tea may have a diuretic effect, which may increase the risk of dehydration when combined with certain medications.In turn, some herbs may interact with medications, causing unexpected side effects or reducing their effectiveness.It is always worth consulting your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether you can drink coffee, tea or herbal infusions while taking specific medications.

Taking medicines with fruit juices

Fruit juices, although healthy and tasty, can also affect the absorption of medications.Some juices contain ingredients that may interfere with the digestion and absorption of medications.In addition, they may contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which may increase the absorption of some active substances in medicines.Therefore, it is always worth consulting your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether you can drink fruit juices during drug therapy.

Taking medications with milk and dairy products

Milk and dairy products, although rich in nutrients, may also affect the absorption of some medications.Calcium in milk may form chelates with some medications, which may reduce their absorption.Therefore, medications that require accurate dosing should be taken separately from milk and dairy products.It is worth consulting a doctor or pharmacist to determine the appropriate medication strategy for people who consume dairy products.

Your suggestions

Taking medications is an important process for health, so it is worth being aware of what fluids may affect their effect.Always read leaflets and information from your doctor or pharmacist to find out if there are any specific recommendations regarding taking your medicines.If you are unsure, feel free to ask your doctor or pharmacist about best practice for specific medications.

Recommended articles

If you are interested in the topic of drug-fluid interactions, we recommend reading other articles on this topic.You will learn more about how to ensure the effectiveness of your therapy and avoid potential problems related to taking medications.

Article prepared by the XYZ Editorial Office

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.Always consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about taking medicines and drinking appropriate fluids.