The majority of medicines are not affected by foods, but drug-food interactions are still possible with some prescriptions. "Even over-the-counter medicines can cause problems," says Los Angeles pharmacist Claudine Kozah.
"Read directions, warnings and interaction precautions that are printed on the medicine labels and packages while you're still at the pharmacy," cautions Kozah. "Be especially careful to read medicine labels when giving medicine to children."
Certain drugs lose their potency when consumed with certain foods. For example, avoid dairy foods, antacids or vitamins containing iron while taking tetracycline (brand names Achromycin or Sumycin). The calcium and iron in these products may interfere with the antibiotic's effectiveness, says Kozah. Ditto with these other common antibiotics: ciprofloxacin (brand name Cipro), levofloxacin (brand name Levaquin), ofloxacin (brand name Floxin) and trovafloxacin (Trovan).
Some drug-food interactions are beneficial. That's the case with statin drugs, which reduce the production of LDL -- bad cholesterol. Albuquerque, N.M., cardiologist Joe Wise, M.D., says lovastatin (brand name Mevacor) should be taken with evening meals to enhance absorption.
