Alcohol and excedrin. Excedrin and Alcohol Interactions: What You Need to Know for Safe Use
How does alcohol interact with Excedrin. What are the potential risks of combining Excedrin and alcohol. When should you avoid drinking alcohol while taking Excedrin. How can you safely use Excedrin if you consume alcohol.
Understanding Excedrin: Components and Uses
Excedrin is a popular over-the-counter medication used for pain relief, particularly for headaches and migraines. It contains three active ingredients: acetaminophen, aspirin, and caffeine. Each of these components plays a specific role in alleviating pain and discomfort.
- Acetaminophen: Reduces pain and fever
- Aspirin: Reduces inflammation and pain
- Caffeine: Enhances the pain-relieving effects of the other ingredients
This combination of ingredients makes Excedrin effective for various types of headaches, including tension headaches and migraines. However, the presence of these active components also means that Excedrin can interact with other substances, including alcohol.
The Dangers of Mixing Excedrin and Alcohol
Combining Excedrin with alcohol can lead to serious health risks. The interaction between these substances can affect various organs and bodily functions, potentially resulting in severe complications.
Liver Damage Risk
One of the most significant concerns when mixing Excedrin and alcohol is the increased risk of liver damage. Both acetaminophen and alcohol are processed by the liver, and their combination can overwhelm this vital organ.
Do acetaminophen and alcohol always cause liver damage when combined? Not necessarily, but the risk is significantly increased. Regular or excessive use of both substances together can lead to acute liver failure in some cases.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Aspirin, another component of Excedrin, can irritate the stomach lining. When combined with alcohol, which also irritates the stomach, the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases substantially.
What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding caused by this interaction? Look out for black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that resembles coffee grounds. These are signs of serious internal bleeding and require immediate medical attention.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Adverse Reactions
It’s crucial to be aware of the potential symptoms that may indicate a negative interaction between Excedrin and alcohol. If you experience any of the following after combining these substances, seek medical help immediately:
- Fever or chills
- Joint pain or swelling
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Unexpected bleeding or bruising
- Skin rash or itching
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or vomiting
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
These symptoms could indicate liver damage, internal bleeding, or other serious complications resulting from the interaction between Excedrin and alcohol.
Safe Usage Guidelines for Excedrin
To use Excedrin safely and effectively, it’s essential to follow proper guidelines and consult with healthcare professionals when necessary.
Consulting Your Doctor
Should you always consult a doctor before taking Excedrin if you consume alcohol? While it’s not always necessary for occasional, light alcohol consumption, it’s advisable to discuss your alcohol habits with your doctor if you regularly take Excedrin or other pain relievers.
Your doctor may need to adjust your dosage or recommend alternative pain relief methods based on your individual health status and alcohol consumption patterns.
Timing Your Doses
If you do consume alcohol, it’s important to consider the timing of your Excedrin doses. Ideally, you should avoid alcohol for several hours before and after taking Excedrin to minimize the risk of interactions.
How long should you wait between taking Excedrin and consuming alcohol? While there’s no definitive answer that applies to everyone, waiting at least 4-6 hours is generally advisable. However, for heavy drinkers or those with liver problems, a longer wait time or complete avoidance may be necessary.
Alternative Pain Relief Options for Alcohol Consumers
If you regularly consume alcohol and need pain relief, there may be safer alternatives to Excedrin. Consider discussing these options with your healthcare provider:
- Non-medication approaches: Rest, hydration, and relaxation techniques
- Topical pain relievers: Creams or gels that don’t interact with alcohol
- Physical therapy or massage: For muscle tension and chronic pain
- Acupuncture or acupressure: Alternative therapies that may help with pain
- Prescription medications: Your doctor may recommend safer options based on your individual needs
Remember, the safest approach is to avoid combining alcohol with any medication without first consulting a healthcare professional.
Understanding Drug Interactions: Beyond Alcohol
While the focus of this article is on the interaction between Excedrin and alcohol, it’s important to note that Excedrin can interact with various other substances as well.
Food Interactions
Certain foods can affect how your body processes the components of Excedrin. For example, foods high in vitamin K can interact with aspirin, potentially reducing its effectiveness.
Are there any foods you should avoid while taking Excedrin? While there are no strict prohibitions, it’s generally advisable to avoid excessive consumption of foods that are known to interact with its components, such as large amounts of leafy greens or foods high in caffeine.
Other Medication Interactions
Excedrin can interact with various other medications, both prescription and over-the-counter. Some of these interactions can be serious and may require dosage adjustments or alternative treatments.
- Blood thinners: Can increase the risk of bleeding when combined with aspirin
- Other pain relievers: May lead to overdose of certain components
- Some antidepressants: Can interact with the caffeine in Excedrin
- Certain antibiotics: May affect how the body processes acetaminophen
Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs like Excedrin.
Long-term Effects of Excedrin Use
While Excedrin can be effective for short-term pain relief, long-term or excessive use can lead to various health issues, especially when combined with alcohol consumption.
Liver Health Concerns
Chronic use of acetaminophen, especially in combination with alcohol, can lead to liver damage over time. This risk increases with higher doses and longer duration of use.
How can you protect your liver if you need to use Excedrin regularly? Stay within the recommended dosage, avoid alcohol when possible, and consider regular liver function tests if prescribed by your doctor.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Long-term use of aspirin, another component of Excedrin, can lead to stomach ulcers and increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. This risk is further elevated when combined with alcohol consumption.
To minimize these risks, consider using Excedrin only when necessary and explore alternative pain management strategies for chronic conditions.
Special Considerations for Different Groups
The interaction between Excedrin and alcohol can affect different groups of people in various ways. It’s important to consider these special circumstances when using Excedrin.
Elderly Individuals
Older adults may be more susceptible to the side effects of both Excedrin and alcohol. Their bodies may process these substances more slowly, increasing the risk of interactions.
Why is extra caution necessary for elderly individuals using Excedrin? Age-related changes in liver and kidney function can affect how the body handles medications and alcohol, potentially leading to more severe interactions.
People with Existing Health Conditions
Certain health conditions can make the combination of Excedrin and alcohol particularly dangerous. These include:
- Liver disease
- Kidney problems
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Bleeding disorders
- Cardiovascular conditions
If you have any of these conditions, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before using Excedrin, especially if you consume alcohol.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should exercise extreme caution with both Excedrin and alcohol. Both substances can potentially harm the developing fetus or be passed to the infant through breast milk.
What are the alternatives for pain relief during pregnancy and breastfeeding? Consult your healthcare provider for safe options, which may include acetaminophen alone (under medical supervision) or non-medication approaches.
Responsible Pain Management and Alcohol Consumption
Managing pain effectively while also enjoying alcohol responsibly requires a balanced approach and awareness of potential risks.
Developing a Pain Management Plan
If you experience frequent pain that requires medication, work with your healthcare provider to develop a comprehensive pain management plan. This plan should take into account your alcohol consumption habits and overall health status.
What should a well-rounded pain management plan include? Consider a combination of medication (when necessary), lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and stress management techniques.
Moderating Alcohol Consumption
If you choose to drink alcohol, doing so in moderation can help reduce the risk of interactions with medications like Excedrin. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines moderate drinking as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.
How can you reduce your alcohol intake if you need to take pain medication regularly? Consider alternatives like mocktails, limiting drinking to special occasions, or exploring non-alcoholic stress relief methods.
Educating Yourself and Others
Understanding the potential interactions between medications and substances like alcohol is crucial for maintaining good health. Sharing this knowledge can help others make informed decisions about their pain management and alcohol consumption.
Reading Medication Labels
Always read the labels and packaging information of any medication you take, including over-the-counter drugs like Excedrin. These labels often contain important warnings about potential interactions with alcohol and other substances.
What key information should you look for on medication labels? Pay attention to alcohol warnings, dosage instructions, and any specific precautions for people with certain health conditions.
Discussing with Healthcare Providers
Open and honest communication with your healthcare providers is essential for safe medication use. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about potential interactions between your medications and alcohol or other substances.
What questions should you ask your doctor about Excedrin and alcohol? Consider inquiring about safe time intervals between medication and alcohol consumption, alternative pain relief options, and any specific risks based on your health history.
By staying informed and making responsible choices, you can effectively manage pain while minimizing the risks associated with combining medications like Excedrin with alcohol. Remember, your health and safety should always be the top priority when using any medication.
Excedrin and Alcohol/Food Interactions – Drugs.com
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There are 9 alcohol/food/lifestyle interactions with Excedrin (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine).
Ask your doctor before using acetaminophen together with ethanol. This can cause serious side effects that affect your liver. Call your doctor immediately if you experience a fever, chills, joint pain or swelling, excessive tiredness or weakness, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash or itching, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Switch to professional interaction data
Ask your doctor before using aspirin together with ethanol. Do not drink alcohol while taking aspirin. Alcohol can increase your risk of stomach bleeding caused by aspirin. Call your doctor at once if you have symptoms of bleeding in your stomach or intestines. This includes black, bloody, or tarry stools, or coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Switch to professional interaction data
Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.
Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.
Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.
Information for this minor interaction is available on the professional version.
CNS stimulants – cardiac disease
The use of CNS stimulants is contraindicated in patients with significant cardiovascular impairment such as uncompensated heart failure, severe coronary disease, severe hypertension (including that associated with hyperthyroidism or pheochromocytoma), cardiac structural abnormalities, serious arrhythmias, etc.
Sudden death has been reported in adults and children taking CNS stimulant treatment. Additionally, stroke, myocardial infarction, chest pain, syncope, arrhythmias and other symptoms have been reported in adults under treatment. A careful assessment of the cardiovascular status should be done in patients being considered for treatment. This includes family history, physical exam and further cardiac evaluation (EKG and echocardiogram). Patients who develop symptoms should have a detailed cardiac evaluation and if needed, treatment should be suspended.
References
- “Product Information. Fastin (phentermine).” SmithKline Beecham
(2001): - “Product Information. Provigil (modafinil).” Cephalon, Inc
(2001): - “Product Information. Dopram (doxapram).” West Ward Pharmaceutical Corporation
(2001): - “Product Information. Desoxyn (methamphetamine).” Abbott Pharmaceutical
(2001): - “Product Information.
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine).” SmithKline Beecham
(2001): - “Product Information. Didrex (benzphetamine).” Pharmacia and Upjohn
(2001): - “Product Information. Tenuate (diethylpropion).” Aventis Pharmaceuticals
(2001): - “Product Information. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate).” Mikart Inc
(2001): - “Product Information. Concerta (methylphenidate).” Alza
(2002): - “Product Information. Strattera (atomoxetine).” Lilly, Eli and Company
(2002): - “Product Information. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine).” Shire US Inc
(2007): - “Product Information. Nuvigil (armodafinil).” Cephalon Inc
(2007): - “Product Information. Phendimetrazine Tartrate SR (phendimetrazine).” Sandoz Inc
(2012):
Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine).” SmithKline BeechamView all 13 references
CNS stimulants – hypertension
CNS stimulant medications have shown to increase blood pressure, and their use might be contraindicated in patients with severe hypertension.
Caution should be used when administering to patients with preexisting high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. All patients under treatment should be regularly monitored for changes in blood pressure and heart rate.
References
- “Product Information. Fastin (phentermine).” SmithKline Beecham
(2001): - “Product Information. Provigil (modafinil).” Cephalon, Inc
(2001): - “Product Information. Dopram (doxapram).” West Ward Pharmaceutical Corporation
(2001): - “Product Information. Desoxyn (methamphetamine).” Abbott Pharmaceutical
(2001): - “Product Information. Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine).” SmithKline Beecham
(2001): - “Product Information. Didrex (benzphetamine).” Pharmacia and Upjohn
(2001): - “Product Information. Tenuate (diethylpropion). ” Aventis Pharmaceuticals
(2001): - “Product Information. Focalin (dexmethylphenidate).” Mikart Inc
(2001): - “Product Information. Concerta (methylphenidate).” Alza
(2002): - “Product Information. Strattera (atomoxetine).” Lilly, Eli and Company
(2002): - “Product Information. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine).” Shire US Inc
(2007): - “Product Information. Nuvigil (armodafinil).” Cephalon Inc
(2007): - “Product Information. Phendimetrazine Tartrate SR (phendimetrazine).” Sandoz Inc
(2012):
” Aventis PharmaceuticalsView all 13 references
caffeine – cardiotoxicity
Like other methylxanthines, caffeine at high dosages may be associated with positive inotropic and chronotropic effects on the heart. Caffeine may also produce an increase in systemic vascular resistance, resulting in elevation of blood pressure.
Therapy with products containing caffeine should be administered cautiously in patients with severe cardiac disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, or acute myocardial injury. Some clinicians recommend avoiding caffeine in patients with symptomatic cardiac arrhythmias and/or palpitations and during the first several days to weeks after an acute myocardial infarction.
References
- “Multum Information Services, Inc. Expert Review Panel”
Excedrin drug interactions
There are 466 drug interactions with Excedrin (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine).
Excedrin disease interactions
There are 23 disease interactions with Excedrin (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine) which include:
- alcoholism
- liver disease
- coagulation
- cardiac disease
- hypertension
- liver disease
- psychiatric disorders
- PUD
- asthma
- GI toxicity
- renal dysfunction
- Reye’s syndrome
- PKU
- cardiotoxicity
- bipolar disorders
- psychotic disorders
- renal dysfunction
- seizure disorders
- GERD
- anemia
- dialysis
- G-6-PD deficiency
- hepatotoxicity
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More about Excedrin (acetaminophen / aspirin / caffeine)
- Excedrin consumer information
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- Reviews (39)
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- During pregnancy
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- Drug class: analgesic combinations
Related treatment guides
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- Pain/Fever
Drug Interaction Classification
| Major | Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. |
|---|---|
| Moderate | Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. |
| Minor | Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan. |
| Unknown | No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medical Disclaimer
Acetaminophen and alcohol: Safety and risks
It is not safe to mix acetaminophen and alcohol. Together they can irritate the stomach and, in severe cases, cause ulcers, internal bleeding, and liver damage.
Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol or Tylenol, is a drug people use to treat mild-to-moderate pain and fever.
In combination with alcohol, acetaminophen can cause side effects or severely damage the liver.
This can also be the case when people who drink alcohol regularly take too much of this medication.
In this article, we outline the side effects and risks of taking acetaminophen and alcohol together and give tips on how to stay safe.
The liver is responsible for breaking down acetaminophen and alcohol. Due to this, excessive consumption of both alcohol and acetaminophen can have dangerous side effects.
For example, research suggests chronic alcohol consumption can worsen liver damage from acetaminophen overdose.
However, most negative side effects occur due to excessive consumption of both. It is typically safe to drink a small amount of alcohol while taking this pain reliever.
Acetaminophen alone can cause toxic damage to the liver, which is called acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity. This toxicity is the most common cause of acute liver failure in the U.S. It accounts for around 56,000 hospital visits per year.
Acetaminophen is metabolized in two ways.
Firstly, the body processes around 90% of the drug via a process called glucuronidation. This process does not produce any dangerous byproducts.
Secondly, the CYP2E1 liver enzyme breaks down around 5-10% of the drug. This process produces a toxin called NAPQI. In response, the liver produces an antioxidant called glutathione, which the body uses to remove the toxin before it can build up and cause liver damage.
When alcohol enters the picture, it increases the activity of CYP2E1, so the body produces more of the NAPQI toxin. Alcohol also decreases glutathione production, meaning NAPQI is more likely to build up in the liver in dangerous concentrations.
Taking acetaminophen at high doses or together with alcohol can cause several side effects. This risk of severe side effects may be higher for people with alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Possible side effects of taking acetaminophen and alcohol together include:
- stomach upset
- bleeding and ulcers
- liver damage
- a rapid heartbeat
According to the U.
S. National Library of Medicine, taking acetaminophen can be dangerous for people who regularly drink alcohol.
A 2016 review highlights that the risk of acetaminophen-induced liver damage is higher for individuals who have AUD and also overdose on acetaminophen.
However, there is no scientific evidence that people with AUD who take the recommended dose of acetaminophen increase their risk of liver damage.
Damage to the liver can impair its ability to carry out vital functions. Not only does this organ filter out toxins from the blood, but it assists with blood clotting and plays an essential role in food digestion.
Around half of all acetaminophen overdoses are unintentional. They mainly occur when people take acetaminophen alongside certain opioid drugs in an attempt to relieve pain.
People can reduce their risk of liver damage by taking the following precautions:
- taking no more than the maximum daily dose of 3,000 mg, or 650-1,000mg every 4-6 hours for adults
- checking other medications to see if they contain acetaminophen
- taking only one acetaminophen-containing product at a time
Acetaminophen overdose can cause acute liver damage, failure, and death in the most severe cases.
The symptoms of liver damage include:
- jaundice, which causes yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
- pain in the upper right side of the abdomen or below the ribcage
- swelling of the abdomen
- nausea and vomiting
- excessive sweating
- appetite loss
- tiredness
- confusion
- unusual bruising or bleeding of the skin
Popular alternatives to acetaminophen include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen. People can safely take acetaminophen and NSAIDs at the same time.
NSAIDs work slightly differently from acetaminophen as they not only relieve pain but also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Taking NSAIDs along with alcohol is typically safe, although side effects can include an upset stomach. Aspirin and alcohol may cause bleeding.
Drinking alcohol in moderation while taking acetaminophen should generally be safe as long as a person takes acetaminophen as advised and does not exceed the recommended dose.
Excessive consumption of either, or both, can cause potentially severe, and even fatal, side effects.
7 hangover remedies | Forbes Life
- Forbes Life
- Maureen Farrell
Author
American colleagues shared their secrets with us
Hangover cures are difficult to test in a clinical setting – for this you would have to force several thousand people to voluntarily doom themselves to terrible torment. Science knows who suffers more the morning after a party (women and Asians) and which drinks cause the most severe anguish (whiskey and wine; vodka and gin are much more harmless).
It is also known that the worse the hangover, the more you drink, at risk are people who have emptied five glasses, glasses or glasses in the evening. Then exact knowledge ends and traditions begin. As part of an international exchange – 7 ways to deal with a hangover from the American edition of Forbes.
Veer
Water!
No matter how strange it may sound, drinking dehydrates the body. For example, beer, although it consists almost entirely of water, affects the functioning of the kidneys – as a result, more fluid is lost than is taken in. A lot of water the morning after a party is an effective remedy, but it is even better to drink a few glasses right during the feast.
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Painkillers
Everyone has their favorite pill, be it aspirin, ibuprofen or whatever. Painkillers do relieve pain, but it’s worth remembering that some of them do not mix well with alcohol, especially Tylenol and Excedrin, which contain caffeine.
Use them with care.
DR
Vitamins B6 and B12
Lack of vitamins B6 and B12 can exacerbate hangover symptoms, says Dr. Katz, director of the Center for Disease Prevention at Yale University. The reason is that alcohol inhibits the absorption of vitamins in the intestines. If you take them in the morning, the hangover may pass faster. But do not abuse, the doctor reminds: a constant overabundance of these vitamins can lead to unpleasant neurological consequences.
DR
Haejangguk
Haejangguk means “hangover soup” in Korean. On weekend mornings, street vendors in Korea deliver it from their carts. The ingredients of the soup are inconsistent, but always include cow bones and blood. And a few more spices, from which any European will go stained. But let the tongue burn better than the head splits. If there is no Korean restaurant nearby, any spicy soup will do.
DR
Rosiglitazone
Do you know diabetics? They might have a bottle of rosiglitazone. Rosiglitazone raises blood glucose levels and slightly alleviates morning pain. But don’t expect it to be sold in pharmacies as a hangover remedy: diabetics are not recommended to drink. And of course, check with your doctor first.
Veer
Prickly pear extract
There is no water in the desert, but there is another good hangover cure. A recent study found that prickly pear cactus extract alleviated some of the hangover symptoms of nausea, dry mouth, and loss of appetite. The headache isn’t going anywhere, though, so a pill might still come in handy.
Veer
Similar to similar
There is a legend that a sip or two in the morning relieves a hangover.
But we are not the type to push our readers down the slippery slope of alcohol addiction. Our alternative: good scrambled eggs and bacon.
Combination of food, alcohol and drugs
“Everything new is well-forgotten old” – this is how a well-known proverb says. You can see how food intake affects co-administered medications in one of the publications for the Russian Medical Journal at the link
https://vk.com/wall-30406995_4918 . But not everything has been said on the topic of food-drug interactions!
Why is it generally important to pay attention to the intake of medicine in relation to food? It would seem that the pill has already entered the body and should work. At a minimum, the speed of the onset of the effect may suffer – for example, it is better to take PARACETAMOL not immediately, but 1-2 hours after the last meal, otherwise the drug will act more slowly [1,6].
With respect to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the situation is mixed.
In particular, in some publications you may find a dilemma – to take them before or during / after meals [2,4]. The fact is that this group of drugs can have an ulcerogenic effect. It is mediated by blockade of COX-1 type, which is responsible for the production of protective prostaglandins, blood supply and repair of the gastric mucosa. In addition, contact irritation and mucosal injury are mentioned when NSAIDs are taken on an empty stomach. On the one hand, taking during / after a meal can prevent at least one of the mechanisms of undesirable effects on the gastrointestinal tract, on the other hand, it will delay the onset of the so-called. peak concentrations of the analgesic in the blood, and hence the beginning of its analgesic effect. There is no single answer among experts. Therefore, always at hand as a guide to action – instructions for medical use: for example, diclofenac (in the enteric coating) is recommended to be taken before meals, ibuprofen, meloxicam, ketoprofen, dexketoprofen – during meals, nimesulide – after meals, etoricoxib, celecoxib – regardless from eating [6].
Among other things, food can affect bioavailability (i.e., the percentage of absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract into the systemic circulation). Therefore, taking the medicine “30 minutes before meals” is by no means a whim of the manufacturer, but an important condition for the effectiveness of the drug. After all, if food products reduce the concentration of the drug in the blood, then it will act worse. But if you make a mix of many of your favorite CAFFEINE and paracetamol in one tablet, then such a drug will, on the contrary, act faster, because. caffeine increases the bioavailability of the analgesic [6].
ANTIBIOTICS and alcohol
A well-known excuse (I drink antibiotics) is an excuse not to drink at the festivities … is there any reason for it? Yes, this is the so-called. disulfiram-like reaction. It takes its name from the name of the drug – Disulfiram – which is used to treat alcoholism. The essence of its action is the inhibition (i.
e., suspension / slowdown) of acetaldehyde, which is involved in the metabolism of ethanol in the blood. As a result of a malfunction of the enzyme, acetaldehyde accumulates, causing nausea, vomiting, headache, tachycardia, lowering blood pressure, and flushing of the face. The same effect develops when taking such antimicrobial and antiprotozoal drugs as metronidazole, ornidazole, tinidazole, drugs of the nitrofuran group (nitrofurantoin, furazolidone), as well as a number of cephalosporin antibiotics (cefoperazone, cefamandol, much less often – ceftriaxone) and antifungal drugs – ketoconazole [3,5,6].
The effectiveness of pharmacotherapy depends on many factors. Don’t forget to inform patients about the correct way to take medication – before/during/after/regardless of meals!
Litvinenko Polina Igorevna, clinical pharmacologist
Information sources:
1. Bushra R, Aslam N, Khan AY. Food-friend interactions. Oman Med J. 2011;26(2):77-83. doi:10.5001/omj.