When you take medicine, be sure to follow your doctor's instructions carefully to obtain the maximum benefit with the least risk. Changes in a medicine's effect due to an interaction with food, alcohol, or caffeine can be significant; however, there are many individual factors that influence the potential for such variations, like dose, age, weight, sex, and overall health. Below is information about possible interactions between a few common prescription medications and food.

Antibiotics Medication: Penicillin, Erythromycin Avoid: Acidic foods - caffeine, tomatoes, fruit juices Reason: Increased stomach acid from acidic foods can make the medication less effective Medication: Flagyl Avoid: Alcohol Reason: Can cause flushing, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting Medication: Vibromycin, Cipro, Floxin Avoid: Do not take concurrently with foods rich in calcium - milk, cheeses, ice cream, yogurt Reason: Can decrease absorption of the medication Antidepressants Medication: MAO (monoamine oxidase) Inhibitors, Nardil, Parnate, Marplan Avoid: Tyramine-rich foods - aged cheese, avocados, wine, sour cream, and chicken livers Reason: Can cause potentially lethal increases in blood pressure, headache, vomiting, and possibly death Diabetic Medications Medication: Amaryl, DiaBeta, Glucotrol Avoid: Alcohol Reason: Can cause flushing, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting Blood Pressure Medications Medication: Drugs to treat high blood pressure Avoid: Foods with excessive sodium - bacon, cold cuts, canned fish, buttermilk, salted breads, monosodium; taking medication with grapefruit juice Reason: Can cause increased water retention and increased blood pressure; grapefruit juice can increase the potency of the medication, which could lead to dangerously low blood pressure Diuretics (to treat water retention) Medication: Lasix, Maxzide, Diazide - (Potassium Wasting) Avoid: Foods with excessive sodium - bacon, cold cuts, canned fish, buttermilk, salted breads, monosodium Reason: Can cause excessive loss of potassium and severe electrolyte disturbances Medication: Aldactone, Dyrenium - (Potassium Sparing) Avoid: Potassium rich foods - bananas, figs, wheat germ, orange juice (2-3 glasses), dried fruit, and salt substitutes Reason: Can cause retention of potassium and cardiac problems

This information should not replace the advice from your physician, pharmacist, or other health care professional. If you have any questions or concerns about possible drug interactions, consult your health care professional.