Which medicines and foods are incompatible?

Grapefruit=

This fruit is harmful when taken together with antihistamine allergy medications, statin-based cholesterol-lowering drugs, and calcium channel blocker antihypertensive medications. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), grapefruit excessively raises the blood levels of medications.

For example, if you take calcium channel blocker antihypertensive medication with grapefruit juice, it can cause blood pressure to drop excessively or lead to kidney toxicity. It is advisable to avoid foods containing grapefruit within 1 hour before taking the medication and within 2 hours after taking it.

Spinach

It is harmful to people taking blood thinners such as warfarin because of vitamin K-rich green leafy vegetables. Due to their blood clotting effect, they reduce the medication's effectiveness. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and parsley are also foods that patients taking blood thinners should be cautious about.

Banana=

Taking diuretics with antihypertensive medications is dangerous. It is due to the high potassium content in bananas. When taken together, the potassium level in the body can become excessively high, leading to hyperkalemia. This can cause the heart to beat abnormally or even result in a heart attack. Be cautious with foods high in potassium such as spinach, sweet potatoes, and salmon, including those mentioned earlier.

Cheese=

Taking with certain antidepressants can cause side effects. When tyramine in cheese interacts with antidepressants containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), it can lead to severe hypertension or cerebral hemorrhage. Tyramine is found not only in wine, chocolate, and avocados but also in Korean fermented foods such as kimchi and soybean paste.

Alcohol=

It is common sense, but you should never drink alcohol when taking medication. Almost all medications, including those for depression, diabetes, colds, and insomnia, can cause side effects when interacting with alcohol. Mixing alcohol and medication can make side effects more severe.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers can cause stomach bleeding and liver damage. Blood pressure medications may lead to kidney damage due to dehydration. Sleep aids can cause hypoxia due to breathing difficulties, and antidepressants can increase blood pressure and cause dizziness.