Healthy Living

with Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom

 

Decoding The Labels

While most of us read food labels closely, there's often little attention paid to the labels on prescription medications. Almost 70 percent of all adults regularly take medications.

A recent study showed that nearly half of the patients studied misunderstood the labels - which can be a toxic mistake. Those package inserts and little labels on the side of the packages - "Do not crush," "Avoid alcohol" or "Take with food" - are not simply suggestions. These are important treatment guidelines to ensure proper digestion and, ultimately, correct dosage of the medication.

Taking a drug correctly involves three easy steps:

1. Understanding your prescription.
2. Knowing what foods or dietary supplements to avoid.
3. Asking for help from your doctor or from your pharmacist.

Getting the right information starts at your doctor's office. Make sure you know the name of the medicine, the dosage and what it's for (write this information down, if you take more than one drug). At the pharmacy, check the bottle for the medication name and dosage to make sure the information matches up.

Read the information pamphlet on how to take the medicine, and ask the pharmacist if you find the information confusing. Terms such as "Take two tablets twice daily" can be interpreted differently - does it mean at 12-hour intervals? Breakfast and dinner?

Pay attention to the terms "Take with water" or "Take with food." A 6- to 8-ounce glass of water is sufficient. However, "Take with food" is somewhat vague. If you're taking it with a regularly scheduled meal, it's a no-brainer. But what about other times? A good rule of thumb is to consume about 100 calories of your choice with medications.

Another important fact: Many foods and medicine do not mix. Below, see a partial list of some major medicines and foods that should not be combined.

And don't forget to check for interactions with dietary supplements. While not FDA-approved, many supplements have biological activity - meaning that they affect the body's cell tissues - which can interfere with the action of many medications.

Always check for the expiration date - and throw away the bottle if it's out-of-date. Some medicines can lose potency over time. And avoid storing your bottles in a steamy bathroom - as we all do! A kitchen counter or drawer is a better place.

When it comes to taking medicine, take control and be an informed consumer. Your health is worth it.

Combinations to Avoid:

• Grapefruit juice - if you take some types of cholesterol-lowering drugs, heart medications, immune-system drugs and allergy medicines.
• Dark-green vegetables - Vitamin K-rich foods such as broccoli, spinach, asparagus and red-leaf lettuce interfere with blood thinning medicines.
• Dairy products - if you take iron supplements or certain antibiotics. The calcium in dairy products can block medication absorption.
• High-fiber foods - if you take penicillin or some other antibiotics. Fiber slows the rate of stomach emptying, and also slows the release of the medicine into your system.
• Alcohol - if you take medicines affecting the brain, including antidepressants, sleeping pills, sedatives, antihistamines and some antibiotics.
• Caffeine - if you take asthma medicines or anti-anxiety drugs.
• Red wine and hard cheese - if you take certain antidepressants, particularly MAO inhibitors.

If you have a health question for Dr. Fernstrom, e-mail her at fernstrom@wqed.org.

 

Dr. Madelyn H. Fernstrom, Ph.D., C.N.S., is the founder and director of UPMC's Weight Management Center. She is the diet and nutrition editor for NBC's "Today Show" and is the author of The Runner's Diet. Also visit "Health Journal with Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom," a health and wellness blog at iVillage.com.