Quick tips to avoid risky food + drug combos
Stay safe by avoiding dangerous food–med combos.
Always double-check with your doctor or pharmacist. Source: FDA, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic
🍊 Grapefruit juice — Affects: statins, blood pressure meds, allergy meds → Can dangerously increase drug levels
🥬 Leafy greens (high in Vitamin K) — Affects: Warfarin (blood thinner) → Lowers effectiveness → higher risk of clots
🥛 Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt) — Affects: Tetracycline, ciprofloxacin antibiotics → Blocks absorption → reduces drug strength
🌾 High-fiber foods — Affects: thyroid & diabetes meds → Slows absorption → weakens effect
🍷 Alcohol — Affects: painkillers, sleep aids, antidepressants → Can cause drowsiness, liver damage, or dangerous side effects
☕ Caffeine — Affects: asthma meds, stimulant antibiotics (cipro) → May increase jitteriness, heart rate, blood pressure
🍌 Bananas / Salt substitutes — Affects: ACE inhibitors (like Lisinopril) → Raises potassium → may trigger irregular heartbeat or weakness
Before you take a new medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist: “Is there anything I should avoid eating or drinking with this?”