Great Info Tips

Not a very large list, but if you are taking certain medications you really should avoid these foods so you don’t cause some complications for yourself. You need to help yourself so you don’t end up in the emergency room at the local hospital.

Aged cheeses: such as Parmesan and blue cheese: Mao inhibitors such as antidepressants- can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure levels due to tyramine (also found in soy products and wine)

Alcohol: antidepressants, antianxiety meds, diabetes meds (such as Glucophage), cold and flu meds, OTC or prescription pain relievers, beta blockers, sleeping pills- increasing chance of liver damage and stomach bleeding. Diabetics may have low blood sugar attacks

Coffee & other caffeinated drinks: asthma meds, antibiotics, antianxiety drugs, OTC or prescription decongestants- jitters, rapid heartbeat, palpitations

Dairy products: antibiotics- can interfere with absorption making the meds less effective

Grapefruit juice or grapefruits: cholesterol lowering meds, blood thinners, blood pressure meds, tranquilizers, antidepressants- can interfere with an enzyme in the body that helps the drugs, causing more to stay in your bloodstream longer & increasing drug side effects

Green leafy vegetables: blood thinners- vitamin K helps blood clot, eating these vegetables all the time may be ok because the blood thinner dose is customized for you. Consult your doctor on this one.

Salt substitutes that contain potassium: blood pressure meds- can cause high levels of potassium in the body which can cause heart arrhythmia. Check with your doctor about using these products.