The Courier » Weekend Doctor
Taking medicine is a normal routine for many people, but there are many
aspects to think about to avoid unwanted interactions. Age, weight, sex,
medical conditions, dose of medicine, other medications, vitamins and
herbal supplements can affect any drug taken.
Some drugs can work faster, slower, better or worse on an empty stomach
while others will upset an empty stomach. Alcohol also has significant
effects on medication use. Drinking alcohol while taking medication, or
before and after, can affect how the drug works in the body.
When a food affects medications in the body, this is called food-drug
interaction. Food can prevent medicine from working the way it should
and can cause medicinal side effects to become better or worse and/or
cause new side effects.
