Since childhood, all of us have been sick for several times, sometimes we needed to take medicine. In the era when medicine was relatively undeveloped, there was a certain degree of rejection of medicine due to the concern of harm to kidney and liver. The Chinese Farmer’s Calendar in the past also showed the diagram which pointed out those concerns (shown inthis link). Although those concerns were gradually clarified in modern times that there is no obvious "risk of poisoning" as mentioned in the Chinese Farmer's Calendar. However, there are still concerns that food intake might affects medication among the public.

How much influence does food have on drugs? Is there really a possibility of "poisoning"? Here's the answer as followings:

That's true! Food definitely affects the effects of medicines! But it must be discussed individually!

There are thousands of types of medicines. How will food affect the effects of medicines? To put it simply, the level of impact could be discussed in four aspects in toxicokinetics - ADME (Seethis article), also known as:

A:Absorption
D:Distribution
M:Metabolization
E:Excretion

In these stages mentioned above, if it is affected by external conditions, the effect of the medicine may be elevated or reduced (Note: the elevation of the effect is not a good thing, because there may be an overdose problem). And we can’t explain it in a consistent way like a mathematical formula, because the whole process may be affected in any way. Therefore, it is necessary to analyze the pharmacokinetics of different drugs individually, and find out the external factors that may potentially affect the action of medicines.

Due to the complexity of food-drug interaction, we can’t list them in detail here. According to theAdvice from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, non-medical professionals should have the following knowledge before taking the medicine:

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【Instructions for diet before taking the medicine】

1. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if there are foods, beverages, vitamins, or supplements you should avoid with your medicines, andbe sure to tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all medicines you are taking, both prescription and nonprescription..
2. Read the prescription label on the container.If you do not understand something, or think you need more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
3. Take medicine with a full glass of water, unless told otherwise by your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
4. Check with your pharmacist or healthcare provider before taking vitamin pills at the same time you take medicine— vitamins and minerals can interact with some medicines..
5. Do not stir medicine into your food or take capsules apart (unless directed by your pharmacist or healthcare provider). This may change the way the medicine works.
6. Do not mix medicine into hot drinks, because the heat from the drink may destroy the effectiveness of the medicine.
7. Never take medicine with alcoholic drinks. Alcohol can change medicine absorption and may increase or decrease the effectiveness of many medicines.
8. Keep all medicines in their original containers so they can be easily identified.

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In addition, major hospitals have also provided many health education announcements or leaflets targeting food-drug interactions (such as:National Taiwan University Hospital,Beiyi,Chi Mei HospitalEtc.). If you are interested in food-drug interaction, please use the Internet to search, read, or download more. Among them, Chi Mei Hospital has brought the elements of the Chinese Farmer's Calendar in their health education leaflet (as shown in the picture below), which is very creative! If you are interested in other professional literature and want to read the original paper, you can also checkHere. Besides, you could also use professional search engines to find out more information.

According to these data, we can find out thatgrapefruit, banana, starfruit, orange, cranberry, milk, cheese, yogurt, calcium flakes, oatmeal, alcohol, coffee, tea, and chocolate are foods with more food-drug interaction. However, many of these foods are excellent nutrition sources. Please do NOT avoid eating these foods only because of the concern of food-drug interactionThe most important thing is to understand the possible interactions between the foods and the medications you are taking. Then, take medications according to the healthcare provider's suggestions.

【Instructions for diet before taking the medicine】

1. Ask the physician/pharmacist about the medication in detail.

2. Read the prescription label on the container.

3. Take medicine with a full glass of cold water.

4. Never take medicine with alcoholic drinks.

5. Do not mix medicine into hot drinks.

6. Do not take medicines with vitamins at the same time.

7. Do not stir medicine into your food or take capsules apart.

8. Keep all medicines in their original containers.

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