A doctor reveals five common drugs that you should not take even with food because of the deadly risks
A top doctor has revealed common medicines you should never take with food.
Dr. Zain Hasan, an anesthesiologist in Los Angeles, said there are five prominent medications that don’t work as well if taken before or after meals.
Even a cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice in the morning can cause the body to not absorb drugs properly, leaving conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure and thyroid problems untreated.
Dr. Hasan insisted that people should always check with their doctor before making any potentially dangerous changes to their medication regimen.
The first medication on Dr Hasan’s list was synthroid (levothyroxine), which is used to treat an underactive thyroid, also known as hypothyroidism.
It works by replacing the thyroxine hormone (T4), which people with hypothyroidism do not produce enough of.
Experts estimate that 100 million prescriptions are written for synthroid each year, and 1 in 20 Americans take it.
Eating foods rich in calcium and iron – such as milk and red meat – reduces the ability of the intestines to absorb the medicine.
Dr. Zain Hasan, an anesthesiologist in Los Angeles, shares some medications and foods that should not be taken.
Dr. Hasan pointed out the usual breakfast drinks. He said: ‘If you take synthroid with milk, coffee, or juice, it can reduce the absorption and effectiveness of synthroid.’
The ATA recommends taking synthroid on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before eating to avoid this ‘abnormal absorption.’
If hypothyroidism is not treated, it can cause nerve pain, high cholesterol and infertility.
Dr. Hasan also pointed out and warned against taking bisphosphonates with food. Bisphosphonates are a group of drugs that help increase bone strength and density.
These are often prescribed for osteoporosis, a condition commonly found in older people that makes bones brittle and prone to fractures, as well as some types of cancer that have spread to the bones.
Dr Hasan said: ‘It is not recommended to take bisphosphonates with food because it can reduce the absorption of bisphosphonates.’
Experts recommend taking these drugs on an empty stomach with a full glass of water, as well as waiting 30 minutes after eating or drinking anything else.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion estimates that 10 million Americans over 50 are diagnosed with osteoporosis.
If the bones are not treated, they can become so weak that they can break from minor injuries.
America’s most popular erectile dysfunction drug, Viagra, also made the list.
Also known as sildenafil, Viagra is taken by more than 1 million American men, including an increasing number of men in their 20s and 30s.
The drug helps relax the muscles and blood vessels in the penis, increasing blood flow, which helps maintain an erection.
Erectile dysfunction usually affects men over the age of 50, although young men are more likely to have the condition, which experts blame on stress, porn and anxiety. All of these have been shown to reduce testosterone levels and make the brain less responsive to sexual stimulation.
‘If you take sildenafil or Viagra with food at dinner, it doesn’t work either. Yes, that’s why it doesn’t work well.’
It is recommended to take Viagra either an hour before sex on an empty stomach or two hours after a meal to ensure that it works properly.
Fatty foods in particular can block the absorption of Viagra’s active ingredient, sildenafil citrate, and delay withdrawal for up to an hour.
Taking Viagra (pictured here) with a high-fat meal can lead to an hour delay, Dr Hasan warned.
Dr. Hasan also warns against eating wtih captopril, which is also called Capoten.
Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, which treats high blood pressure by stopping the production of angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels.
Of the 50 million Americans who take medication to treat high blood pressure, eight out of ten take ACE inhibitors such as captopril.
Dr Hasan said: ‘You should not take captopril with food. You should wait two hours after a meal or take it before breakfast.’
As with other drugs on the list, taking captopril can make it less effective.
If high blood pressure is not controlled, the blood vessels become damaged over time and there is difficulty in getting blood to the heart.
This forces the heart to work harder, stressing it and increasing the risk of a heart attack.
Finally, Dr. Hasan advised against taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) with food.
These drugs help reduce the production of acid in the stomach, which makes them useful for acid reflux, heartburn and stomach ulcers.
In a TikTok video with 25,000 views, Dr. Hasan (pictured left) shared that taking certain medications with food can delay absorption, making them less effective.
Dr. Hasan (pictured with his wife) also cautions that you should always consult your doctor before stopping medication or changing the frequency.
Available over the counter and as a prescription, PPIs are taken by more than 15 million Americans.
PPIs block the pumps that produce stomach acid, which is used during eating, so taking the drug with food negates the benefits of the drug.
Dr Hasan said: ‘You should take it 30 to 60 minutes before a meal.’
Uncontrolled acid reflux can lead to swelling, ulcers, and narrowing of the esophagus, which can cause pain and difficulty swallowing.
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