Is it possible to take the tablets with hot water? Is it possible to take tablets with tea, rules for taking medications

Each of us, unfortunately, is faced with a situation where it is necessary to take medicine. Banal flu, migraine, toothache, suddenly upset intestines make us resort to taking pills orally, that is, swallow them. The procedure is unpleasant, but necessary.

Let's try to figure out why the question: "Can I take the pills with tea or other drinks?" The answer is always the same: “No!”

Tea and health

Tea is the most famous and consumed drink in the world after water. From one plant, different types of tea are obtained: black, green, white and oolong. They differ from each other in the way of processing the leaves of one plant - they drink tea with milk, lemon, various spices, honey. Some people like a hot drink, while others like to cool off with iced tea.

The healing properties of this plant have been known since ancient times. Depending on the type of tea, the beneficial properties vary.

However, all types of drink contain:

• water - up to 95 percent;
• carbohydrates (soluble) - from 3 to 4.5 percent;
• insoluble carbohydrates - from 6 to 18 percent;
• caffeine - from 1.5 to 3.5 percent;
• lignin - from 6 to 10 percent;
• phenolic compounds - from 7.5 to 15 percent;
• minerals - from 3.2 to 4.2 percent;
• proteins - from 20 to 22 percent.

Regular black tea as a drink has the following main positive properties:

• helps strengthen the cardiovascular and circulatory systems;
• has an antiseptic effect on the pathogenic flora of the gastrointestinal tract in case of stomach and intestinal upset;
• has tonic properties;
• removes toxins from the body and causes sweating.

Green tea has been better studied, and many beneficial properties are attributed to it. The main ones:

• Antiseptic properties for colds and flu. Helps reduce elevated body temperature, stops inflammatory processes.
• Promotes the removal of toxins and radionuclides.
• Relieves the condition of diseases of the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary system.
• Reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, improves memory, attention.
• Eliminates mild depression, drowsiness, invigorates and tones.
• Indicated for obesity.
• Is an antioxidant.
• It is used to prevent inflammation of the oral cavity and caries.

It would seem that tea has many positive properties. Why can't it be used when taking medications?

Tea and pills

As a rule, when prescribing pills to a patient, the doctor focuses on the pattern of taking the drug, not always reminding him how to drink the drug. Unless otherwise prescribed, all tablets are washed down with cold boiled water in sufficient quantities.

Can I take the tablets with tea or coffee?

Tea and coffee contain caffeine. They tone up the nervous system well and are quite stimulating drinks. If a sedative, blood pressure medication, or antidepressant is prescribed, then taking a tablet with tea or coffee will cause severe overexcitation, insomnia, or provoke an increase in blood pressure.

Tannins, which are rich in tea, combine with certain chemicals to form insoluble precipitates. They can negate the treatment and even cause significant harm to health (after all, the patient is unlikely to know how his pill will behave when it meets tea or coffee compounds). So, for example, preparations containing iron, interacting with tannin, form an insoluble precipitate.

Attention! You can't drink tea with:

• alkaloids (papaverine, codeine, etc.);
• oral contraceptives;
• neuroleptics and psychotropics;
• antibiotics;
• preparations containing nitrogen;
• medications that relieve ulcerative processes and stimulate the gastrointestinal tract;
• cardiac and vascular drugs.

The above list is far from complete. Therefore, when you have a question: “Is it possible to drink tea?”, It is better to put aside a cup of tea and drink the preparation with water. The same goes for green tea. The answer to the question: “Can I take my tablets with green tea?” is negative.

Coffee and pills

We tried to answer the question: “Is it possible to take pills with tea?”, But maybe someone thinks that coffee will be more harmless when taking the drug? Not at all.

You need to know that coffee not only contains tonic and stimulating caffeine. The action of the drug in combination with a drink becomes unpredictable: coffee can speed up the action of the pill or slow it down. All this is extremely dangerous.

A coffee drink contributes to the rapid withdrawal of antibiotics, which, when taken with it, become useless. Moreover, with frequent use of antibiotics with coffee, the patient’s body becomes insensitive to the drug of a particular group, and the doctor will have no choice but to replace it with a stronger one.

When drinking painkillers (aspirin, paracetamol, citramon) with coffee-containing drinks, the patient harms the liver and kidneys instead of benefiting them.

Thus, the answer to the question is already quite obvious: “Can I take the tablets with hot tea or coffee?” No you can not. Firstly, it is difficult to predict the outcome of such an interaction. And secondly, you don’t want the tablet to dissolve right in your mouth and become completely useless?

Tablets and citrus fruits

Everyone knows the benefits of lemon, grapefruit, tangerine and orange. Citrus juice contains many vitamins and microelements, which makes them very attractive for maintaining health and vigor.

However, patients taking medications should be careful when consuming citrus fruits. The fact is that they contain the enzyme furanocoumarin, which is difficult to break down by the liver. If the tablet is taken together with such fruit (juice), then the liver will not be able to break down the medicine in time, it will completely enter the bloodstream, exceeding the permissible concentration. The consequences of such a “therapeutic” effect are unpredictable.

Doctors have proven that a few tablespoons of grapefruit or other citrus juice (lemon) can lead to an overdose of the drug and increase its concentration two hundred (!) times.

So don't take risks. To the question: “Can I take the tablets with tea and lemon?” There is only one answer: “No!” Not only tea is harmful when swallowing a pill: lemon juice can also lead to irreversible consequences.

Pills and honey

The question often arises: “Can I take my tablets with tea and honey?”

Honey has unique healing properties. It is widely used as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and immunostimulating product.

But honey is not for everyone. It should not be taken if you are allergic to bee products. This delicacy should be consumed with great caution by diabetics and people with high blood sugar.

We must remember that honey is a complex organic compound that changes its composition and properties when it gets into hot water (tea). It is unknown what compounds are formed in the body when taking the drug and honey dissolved in tea. Therefore, you shouldn’t take your tablets with tea and honey (even this healthy one!).

Pills and alcohol

I would like to remind you: when taking medications, you should avoid alcohol. At all! Because when taking many tablets, the effect of alcohol on the body becomes deadly.

Under no circumstances should the following tablets be taken with alcoholic beverages:

• Tranquilizers, psychotropic and neuroleptics.
• "Clonidine" and drugs that sharply lower blood pressure.
• Beta blockers.
• Anticoagulants.
• Insulin and drugs for diabetics.
• Antibiotics.
• Vitamins B, C and folic acid.

Tablets and mineral water

It is best to take the tablets with warm boiled water. It is suitable for all types of medications.

Sometimes doctors recommend taking the tablets with warm alkaline mineral water. It is believed that almost all drugs in an alkaline environment are absorbed faster. Mineral water used for taking medications must be without gas.

Erythromycin tablets (and similar ones) must be washed down with this water. In its absence, the drug is washed down with a solution of boiled water with baking soda.

Vitamins are allowed to be washed down with milk, and some sedatives and antibiotics - with acidic juices. But only on the recommendation of a doctor!

Conclusion

In order for medicines to be beneficial and contribute to a quick recovery, they must be taken correctly. When prescribing pills, the doctor describes the regimen and rules for taking the pills. Don't neglect these tips. If you have prescribed a treatment for yourself (this, of course, is bad, but anything can happen), carefully read the leaflet with the description of the drug and follow its recommendations.

As a last resort, take the tablets only with water. Be healthy!

Tablets and pills are swallowed, ointments are applied, drops are instilled... What's so tricky here? People have been treated this way for centuries and continue to be treated. Note: not only to be treated, but also to be maimed.

The most famous victim was Antonio Benedi, an assistant to US President George H. W. Bush. One day he was overcome by a cold, and he took 10 tablets over the course of 4 days. paracetamol . This is a standard therapeutic dose, but in combination with alcohol it is an explosive mixture, due to which the liver can “fall off”. Not knowing about this, Benedi remained faithful to one of his long-standing habits - drinking 3-4 glasses of noble wine for tone and health. As a result, to save his life, he had to undergo an emergency liver transplant.

According to medical statistics, only 20 percent of patients more or less comply with doctors' orders. 60 percent completely forget what, when and how to take. Another 20 percent consider medical recommendations to be something unnecessary and unimportant. The result, of course, is unpredictable: the drugs do not help as expected, or they become deadly.

THE MOST COMMON MISSES
Chemicals in medicines can react with drinks and food. Thus, they can not only reduce the effectiveness of treatment, but also cause damage to health. In the worst case, allergies and poisoning are possible.
Conclusion: never take medications with whatever comes to hand - soda, juice, tea, coffee, milk!

1. Coffee and tea change the properties of drugs.
Tannin contained in tea can form compounds that are insoluble and not absorbed by the body. The speed and absorption of drugs slows down after a “meeting” with tea. And some medications with a high iron content simply “precipitate”, which can seriously harm your health.
Examples:
do not bring the desired effect oral contraceptives, washed down with tea or infusion of St. John's wort;
tea combined with some antidepressants leads to overexcitation, resulting in insomnia and nervous tension (see table below).

You should not take your tablets with tea, especially if it is:
alkaloids (PAPAVERINE, PLATIFILLINE, CODEINE);
drugs used in neurology, psychiatry (AMINAZINE and some antipsychotics);
cardiovascular drugs;
agents that activate the digestive process,
drugs for the treatment of stomach ulcers;
antibiotics;
nitrogen-containing agents (ANTIPYRINE, CAFFEINE, AMIDOPYRINE, CODEINE, PAPAVERINE, EUPHYLLINE).

Coffee removes from the body very quickly antibiotics: so quickly that they do not have time to be useful. In general, the effect of coffee can be unpredictable. In some cases, it inhibits the effect of drugs, and in others, on the contrary, it enhances the drug effect (especially in the case of taking painkillers). The combination of painkillers (such as CITRAMON, CITRAPAR, PARACETAMOL) and large portions of coffee can have a very detrimental effect on the condition of the liver and other organs.

Combinations of coffee with medications such as:
sedatives;
anti-inflammatory and painkillers (PARACETAMOL, etc.);
popular antibiotics of the penicillin series and ERYTHROMYCIN.

2. Juices can cause poisoning.
Juices and compotes contain fruit acids, that is, substances that destroy the structure of drugs and change their pharmacological effect. At risk:
antacids (to reduce the acidity of gastric juice);
cardiac glycosides (DIGOXIN, etc.);
sulfonamides (STREPTOCIDE, SULPHALEN, etc.);
drugs to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood;

When combined with other medications, juices can interact in unpredictable ways. They slow down the action of the antibiotics ERYTHROMYCIN or AMPICILLIN (here ampicibarbiturates, nitrofurans), slow down the absorption of AMIDOPIRINA, IBUPROFEN, FUROSEMIDE. And the effect of A (acetylsalicylic acid), on the contrary, can be enhanced to the point of poisoning.

Example:
Avocado, ice cream, cranberry juice, according to British doctors, are dangerous to consume while taking WARFARIN (an anticoagulant for the treatment of varicose veins, reduces blood clotting).

3. Grapefruit juice causes an overdose of heart medications.
Grapefruit juice dramatically increases the absorption of many medicinal substances from the intestines. Instead of passing through the digestive tract in transit, they accumulate: after all, the liver at this time is “busy” disassembling grapefruit ingredients “for spare parts”. As a result, the drugs circulate throughout the body, their concentration in the blood increases, reaching that dangerous level when all side effects appear at once. Poisoning may occur due to an overdose.

In this regard, many medications require extreme caution.:
antihistamines;
for the treatment of hypertension and heart disease (for example, antiarrhythmics and to lower cholesterol);
antibiotics (ERYTHROMYCIN);
antitussive and antiviral;
hormonal drugs;
And so on - the list is very wide.

3 . Milk inhibits the action of antibiotics and stomach enzymes .
Milk tends to reduce the effectiveness of many medications. It’s not without reason that it used to be used to save people from poisons, and today they help people who have been poisoned.

Absolutely not compatible with milk and dairy products tetracycline antibiotics(TETRACYCLINE, OLETETRINE, etc.). Calcium cations coming from dairy products can bind drugs into strong compounds that do not have a therapeutic effect. As a result, the medicine passes through the digestive tract without being absorbed. The absorption of antibiotics is reduced in such cases by 20-80%, that is, their effect approaches zero.
Please note: antibiotics are taken regardless of food, but dairy products must be present in the diet!

Calcium caseinate also interferes with the absorption of LINCOMYCIN HYDROCHLORIDE. Milk neutralizes the effect potassium And antacids(enzymes to improve digestion), reducing the acidity of gastric juice.

Do not take medicines with an acid-resistant coating (PANCREATIN, BISACODIL) with milk, as the coating will dissolve prematurely and the drug will be destroyed before reaching the proper site of absorption.

4. Acidic foods and tonic drinks conflict with medications. .
Upon appointment antibiotics You should be very careful about your diet. “Sour” foods should be excluded from it: fruits, juices, soda, dry wine and any dishes prepared with the addition of vinegar (see table).

Many drugs combined with tonic and carbonated drinks are not absorbed by the body. The reason is that these drinks often contain orthophosphoric acid and other chemical compounds (iron and calcium ions, etc.), which react with the active substances of the tablet. First of all, this concerns:
antacids (to improve digestion);
diuretic DIACARB (diuretic);
preparations of CALCIUM;
antibiotics (ERYTHROMYCIN, SUMAMED, RULID, LINCOMYCIN, DALACIN)

5. Alcohol increases the side effects of medications, including death.
Medicines and alcohol in any form do not mix. During treatment, vodka, cognac, wine, beer, and cocktails are prohibited.
This also applies to hangover syndrome: At this time, it is unacceptable to take conventional painkillers to relieve headaches. For safety reasons, it is better to use other methods fight hangovers that do not cause side effects.

6. Many foods do not combine with antidepressants. .
Antidepressants– champions of intractability with food. They do not accept alcohol (especially red wine), dairy products, cheeses (primarily blue cheeses), beef, fish, sausages, etc.
If you neglect precautions during the treatment of depressive conditions, you can get a serious hypertensive crisis.

Example:
Reception hormonal contraceptives may turn out to be useless or ineffective if at the same time a harmless and quite popular infusion of St. John's wort is taken as a sedative.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE YOUR MEDICATION?
When taking medicine, you must adhere to the basic rule: if the doctor has not specified the specifics of taking the pills, it is best to wash them down boiled water.
Water is suitable for these purposes room temperature(about 20 degrees). Water is a chemically neutral substance, which means it is a universal liquid.

For example:
medicines in gelatin capsules(washed down exclusively with water);
antiulcer drugs(DE-NOL, GASTROFARM, etc.);
drugs from the group of tetracyclines and lincosamides(with plenty of fluids and better standing).

To wash down a tablet or pill, ¼ glass is enough, and only in special cases (for example, while taking salicylates, antibiotics) may a larger amount of liquid be required - at least a glass.

For example:
Sulfonamides are taken strictly on an empty stomach with a full glass of water. During the course of treatment, you also need to drink plenty of alkaline fluids so as not to harm your kidneys.

LIQUIDS ON SPECIAL CASES
To achieve the desired effect, it is recommended to take certain medications not with water, but with a specific liquid.

In particular, it is recommended to drink milk:
drugs that irritate the gastric mucosa, but do not bind to proteins and calcium in milk;
anti-inflammatory and painkillers (for example, INDOMETHACIN, RESERPINE);
some hormonal drugs;
IODINE preparations;
anti-tuberculosis drugs ETIONAMIDE and PROTHIONAMIDE.

Sometimes medications are recommended to be taken with an alkaline drink. For example, mineral water such as Borjomi: It dissolves and removes breakdown products from the body:
in case of taking ASPIRIN A;
in case of taking sulfonamides (for example,

Do all of us, before taking a medicine, pay attention to the insert-instruction for it? In particular, to the part that contains recommendations for use. But the effectiveness of treatment largely depends on the scrupulous observance of these rules. Many people believe that there is not much difference in what to take the pill with. But as it turns out, sometimes the wrong combination of a drug and a drink or food can negate all its healing properties.

What you need to know about different dosage forms

Medicines intended for oral use (orally) can be in different pharmacological forms. For example, in the form of tablets, capsules, solutions, tinctures, infusions, dragees, pills, powders. Such a variety is not a whim, and even more so not to add variety to the medicinal “menu”. The fact is that the rate of absorption of the active substance and its interaction with the body depends on the form of the drug.

You rarely see drugs in powders and pills in modern pharmacies. They gave up space for more effective and practical options - tablets. But not all of them are the same: some are covered with a “glaze” shell, while others are without it. “Glaze” is usually used in two cases: if the tablet contains substances that are aggressive to the stomach or when the active ingredient, on the contrary, must be protected from breakdown by gastric juice. Film-coated tablets usually disintegrate in the alkaline environment of the intestines. In addition, there are options with a multi-layer protective coating. Drugs in this group have a fairly long duration of action (prolonged effect), since the active substance is released from them gradually - to the extent that the protective shells are destroyed. It is unacceptable to break or crush glazed tablets, since destruction of the protective film leads to premature release of the active substance, irritation of the gastric mucosa and impaired absorption of the drug. Capsules work on the same principle as glazed tablets. Therefore, opening them and drinking the contents without gelatin “packaging” is also not recommended.

The fastest-acting, but also the least protected from the influence of gastric juice, are drugs in liquid form. As a rule, they penetrate the blood most easily, but for proper absorption they require strict adherence to the rules of administration.

How are the tablets absorbed?

For the body to feel the therapeutic effect of any drug, it must penetrate the blood. And for this, the active substance must be absorbed through the walls of the stomach or intestines. This process is significantly affected by the acidic environment, which differs in different parts of the digestive tract. For example, the acidity in the stomach is 1-3 pH, in the duodenum this figure already reaches 5-6, and in the large intestine - 8. For this reason, acid-based drugs are created in such a way that they are absorbed in the stomach, and alkaline ones in are largely intended for absorption in the small and large intestines.

Another test that the medicine has to pass in our bodies is the effect. Many drugs lose their potency when in contact with food enzymes. In particular, we are talking about protein and polypeptide substances such as insulin and vasopressin. Some hormonal drugs (for example, those containing testosterone and progesterone) do not work well with enzymes. These points are also taken into account when creating medications.

Some medications are not intended to be swallowed but must be dissolved in the mouth (sublingual tablets). This method of taking the medication allows the active substance to penetrate the blood rather quickly, bypassing the liver.

But these are not all the factors on which the absorption and therapeutic effectiveness of medications depends. If we cannot influence the physiological characteristics of the body, then everyone can control what we eat and drink before or after the pill. But this plays an important role in the preservation of the active substance of the drug. Different types of food have different effects on the production of gastric juice and enzymes, which ultimately affects the absorption of the pill. In addition, some substances are destroyed or less absorbed in the company of certain nutrients. For example, drugs from the tetracycline group, Amoxicillin and Ampicillin are almost not absorbed by the body if they are taken together with large amounts or with iron salts.

Best time to take medicine

If there are no special instructions in the instructions for the drug, this does not mean that the medicine can be taken at any time. In most cases, the optimal time to take the tablet is 20-30 minutes before meals, when the active substance is most easily absorbed. If a certain acid-base environment is necessary for the absorption of a substance, then the instructions always indicate the exact time of taking the medicine.

Sometimes food intake can affect the duration of action of the drug. For example, antacid medications (prescribed for stomach or duodenal ulcers) taken on an empty stomach work in about 30 minutes. And if you take the same drug 60 minutes after a meal, the effect will last for 3-4 hours.

Take 20-30 minutes before meals:

• medications that affect the production of gastric juice;
• some hormonal;
• medicines based on live bacteria;
• homeopathic medicines;
• decoctions of medicinal herbs.

During meals:

• enzymes to improve food absorption.

After meal:

• most medications;
• medications that irritate the gastric mucosa;
• vitamins and.

Food and medicine: how to combine correctly

No matter how useful medications are in the fight against diseases, most of them also have a negative effect on the body, especially with long-term use. For example, antibiotics kill not only pathogenic, but also beneficial bacteria for the body. Drugs from other groups often lead to the leaching of minerals and vitamins from the body. But if the tablets are combined with the right food, side effects can be avoided.

Antibiotics

To avoid the occurrence of dysbacteriosis, after a course of antibiotics for 2-3 weeks it is useful to regularly consume bio-yogurt, soft blue cheeses such as and sauerkraut. Another unpleasant consequence of taking antibiotics is a decrease in both, and. Fish, brown rice, white beans and broth will help restore reserves of nutrients.

Painkillers

Medicines from this group are in every home medicine cabinet. They save you from aches in the back and joints, when your teeth or ears ache, and many women take analgesics every month to relieve premenstrual pain. If you abuse such drugs, then along with pain you can get rid of the body’s reserves of folic acid, vitamin C, etc. To prevent this from happening, some time after taking the pill it would be good to eat a little sauerkraut, young or a handful. These products will help restore your supply of nutrients.

Steroid based medications

Drugs from this group are prescribed to patients with asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and eczema. A course of steroid treatment can give good results, but at the same time cause unpleasant consequences. For example, a lack of vitamins C, K, zinc and. Pearl barley and oatmeal porridge, pepper, will help prevent or compensate for the deficiency.

Birth control pills

Women who take oral contraceptives on a regular basis are at risk of becoming deficient in magnesium, zinc, vitamins C and B9. Good portions of these substances are found in, and. These foods are considered the best food companions for birth control pills.

How to take medicine correctly

The fact that any pill should be washed down is an indisputable fact. Firstly, the liquid facilitates the process of swallowing, and secondly, it promotes the dissolution and absorption of the medicine. But in order for the pill to work and not cause side effects, you need to know how to properly take different types of medications.

Water

If the instructions for use do not contain any special comments about how to take the tablet, then it is best to give preference to regular room temperature - boiled or bottled, but without gas. This liquid has the properties of a good solvent and at the same time does not cause changes in the formula of the drug. In addition, you must take the tablet with exactly the amount of liquid indicated in the instructions. Usually the instructions advise taking the medicine with at least half a glass of liquid, and not one or two sips, as many of us do. If there is not enough water, the hard tablet will not be able to dissolve in the stomach in time and begin to act. The consequence of this is that the body will not accept the entire portion of the active substance, but only part of what is contained in the drug.

Tea and medicine are not such a healthy company. “How can tea harm the tablet, it’s just ordinary water?” - many people think. In fact, this is far from the case. The drink made from tea leaves contains quite a lot of phenolic compounds from the tannin group (also found in red wine). So those same tannins are a rather unfavorable company for codeine, aminophylline, cardiac glycosides, since phenolic substances disrupt their absorption process. You should not take iron-based medications with tea, as the mineral will not be absorbed in such company. You should also take a drink made from tea leaves and antibiotics, stomach and heart medications at different times. If you take antidepressants with tea, the patient may subsequently show signs of overexcitation, and birth control pills taken with this drink may not work.

Coffee

Many of us can take a pill with a sip of black coffee without even thinking about the consequences of this combination. Coffee is incompatible with most medications, as it negates their effectiveness. First of all, these are vitamins, or rather vitamin C, which loses its beneficial properties in combination with coffee. The second group of drugs that should never be combined with a caffeinated drink are homeopathic remedies, since their effectiveness in this case is also close to zero.

Another reason why coffee is not suitable for taking pills is the strong diuretic property of the drink. Medicine taken with a cup of coffee will quickly be eliminated from the body in the urine, often without having time to take effect.

But there are cases when coffee, on the contrary, enhances the effect of the medication. This is possible with painkillers containing. But in this case, an overdose of the drug is not excluded.

The combined use of coffee and drugs that regulate blood pressure and heart function negates the entire effect of treatment and also creates a serious threat to the diseased cardiac system. It is also absolutely illogical to take a sleeping pill and wash it down with coffee - the pill will still not produce results.

Milk

It is a very common belief that it is useful to take tablets with milk, since this product protects the walls of the stomach from irritation. In some cases, milk really goes well with medicines. For example, with acetylsalicylic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fat-soluble vitamins (, D, K), as well as with iodine-containing, anti-tuberculosis and some hormonal drugs. But at the same time, there is an impressive list of drugs that cannot tolerate the company of milk. In particular, in order to maintain the therapeutic effect of the medication, you should not take cardiac glycosides, caffeine-containing drugs (Citramon, Coffetin, Askofen), drugs for the treatment of ulcers (Ranitidine, Cimetidine), enzymes (Mezim, Pancreatin) with this drink. Under the influence of milk, antibiotics of the tetracycline, penicillin and cephalosporin groups also lose their potency. They react with the substance contained in milk, resulting in the formation of a substance that is not absorbed by the body, which means that the effectiveness of taking the antibiotic is zero. It is also strictly forbidden to consume milk together with iron supplements. And again, the reason is calcium, which prevents the absorption of iron.

Another group of medications that are incompatible with milk are acid-resistant tablets. Drugs in this group have a special coating that protects the tablet from destruction by gastric juice. That is, the task of such drugs is to begin to act only in the intestines. If you take this medicine with milk, it will dissolve in the stomach and the active substance will not reach the intestines, which means that the treatment will also have no effect.

By the way, often drug manufacturers in the annotations for some drugs specifically indicate that mixing with milk is inadmissible.

Many people believe that if fruit and vegetable juices are beneficial on their own, then taking medications with them can also benefit your body. And this is another huge misconception.

Juices from vegetables and acidic fruits can either reduce or significantly enhance the therapeutic effect of some medications. For example, Ampicillin, Azithromycin, Erythromycin lose their strength if washed down with juices. But Aspirin, Paracetamol, Ibuprofen and nitrofuran drugs (Furzolidon, Furagin) against the background of sour and vegetable juices, on the contrary, increase their activity (they can even cause severe poisoning).

If you take sulfonamide (antimicrobial drugs) with water, the antibacterial effect of the medicine will significantly decrease. The reason is the reaction with the folic acid contained in the juice. In addition, drugs in this group should not be washed down with acidic drinks. From a chemical point of view, sulfonamides are alkalis. A chemical reaction takes place between both substances, neutralizing the effect of the drug.

Psychostimulants should not be taken with or. This combination can cause a hypertensive crisis.

The combination of antacid drugs and sour juices looks very contradictory. Medicines in this group are designed to protect the gastric mucosa from irritation by hydrochloric acid and bile. Fruit acids contained in sour drinks, on the contrary, destroy the protective layer on the walls of the stomach and increase the acidity in it.

It is strictly forbidden to take warfarin-based medications with water, otherwise very serious consequences are possible. Cranberries contain substances that, like warfarin, thin the blood. An overdose of these substances can cause bleeding.

Experts call medications and one of the most dangerous combinations. This is explained by the fact that grapefruit contains various substances that affect the enzymatic activity of the liver, as a result of which most chemicals used in pharmacology have an unpredictable effect on the body. It is most unsafe to combine grapefruit juice with heart medications, antidepressants, antibiotics, medications for allergies, fungi or viruses, as well as medications that lower blood pressure. In addition, scientists from the Lawson Institute of Health (Canada) discovered that furanocoumarins contained in grapefruits and other citrus fruits greatly enhance the effect of medications, causing severe poisoning.

Any sour juices (from grapefruit, etc.) are absolutely not suitable for washing down coated tablets. Acidic drinks disturb the natural environment of the stomach and destroy the protective layer on the tablet, which can be dangerous for the digestive system.

Compote or jelly

For many, and are their favorite childhood drinks. In addition, many people know that these products are not only tasty, but also healthy. Compotes, for example, are rich in vitamins and other nutrients, and jelly has enveloping properties, which is very useful for people with gastritis or stomach ulcers. But despite all the benefits of these drinks, they cannot be combined with medications. If you take the tablet with jelly, its therapeutic effect will be significantly reduced. The compote, rich in fruit acids, is also capable of changing the pharmacological properties of drugs, in particular those intended for the treatment of hypertension and heartburn.

Alcohol

All types of alcohol occupy first place in the ranking of drinks that absolutely cannot be combined with medicine. At best, alcohol simply neutralizes the therapeutic effect of the drugs. At worst, this combination causes chemical reactions that provoke severe poisoning, disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and the human psyche. For example, many cough or headache medications contain codeine, which reacts with ethyl alcohol and causes depression of the body's respiratory function. Therefore, if you plan to drink at least a glass on the day of taking a medicine with codeine, then it is better not to take the pill at all - this will cause less harm than from a combination of both substances. It is no less dangerous to combine the use of sleeping pills, antidepressants, analgesics, antibiotics, antipyretic or antiallergic drugs with alcohol, since ethanol greatly enhances the effect of these drugs and significantly increases the load on the liver.

If you regularly drink Aspirin with alcohol, you can soon develop a stomach ulcer. Blood sugar-lowering medications taken with alcohol cause hypoglycemia. Soluble cold medicines, Eufillin and Ephedrine, in combination with ethanol cause a sharp increase in blood pressure. By the way, blood pressure can rise even if you put vasoconstrictor drops in your nose and then drink alcohol.

Is all water suitable for taking tablets?

When experts say that water is the best companion for tablets, they always mean ordinary, clean, non-carbonated liquid. But there are many cautions regarding the combination of mineral or sweet carbonated water with medications.

Firstly, mineral water is always a rather rich set of salts, which can enter into undesirable reactions with the active substance or with the tablet shell.

Alkaline (hydrocarbonate, for example Essentuki) mineral water can be washed down with Aspirin, Streptocid, Fthalazol, Etazol, Norsulfazol, Erythromycin, Biseptol, Sulfodimethoxine, Sulfalene and other drugs from the sulfonamide group. In an alkaline environment, the duration of action of the medicine is prolonged, and the removal of toxic breakdown products from the body is facilitated.

If you are going to drink alkaline mineral water Analgin, Tetracycline or a sedative, you should carefully monitor the dosage of the drug, since such water enhances the absorption of these drugs.

The beloved cola and other sweet fizzy drinks are also far from the best choice for washing down pills. Any soda irritates the gastric mucosa, and in the company of tablets this effect is enhanced and can be very unsafe for people with disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. People with gastritis or ulcers should absolutely not combine drugs to improve digestion, antibiotics and diuretics with sweet carbonated drinks. In addition, when combined with cola, most medications form insoluble compounds, which reduces the therapeutic effect.

Why do the pills prescribed by the doctor sometimes do not give the desired effect? In such cases, patients usually find many "guilty". Most often, the doctor is accused of being unprofessional or the pharmacy is accused of selling a counterfeit. And few people realize that the patient himself is to blame for the ineffectiveness of treatment, who simply did not take the prescribed pills correctly.

“Take these tablets one at a time 2 times a day after meals.” We've probably all heard this recommendation more than once. Now let's think about how accurate it is and whether it requires additional instructions. After all, when prescribing this or that, he expects that they will be used correctly.

Rule 1. Multiplicity is everything

When prescribing taking pills several times a day, most doctors mean a day - not the 15-17 hours that we are usually awake, but all 24. Because the heart, liver and kidneys work around the clock, and, therefore, microbes work without interruption for lunch and sleep. Therefore, taking tablets should be divided into equal intervals as much as possible, this especially applies to antimicrobial agents.

That is, with a two-time dose, the interval between taking each dosage should be 12 hours, three times - 8, four times - 6. However, this does not mean that patients should jump out of bed every night. There are not so many medications, the accuracy of administration of which is calculated minutely, and they are usually not prescribed in tablet form. But nevertheless, 2, 3, 4 times a day - this is not when it is convenient for the patient (“now and in an hour, because I forgot to drink in the morning”), but at certain intervals. To avoid interpretations when taking twice a day, for example, it is justified to prescribe specific times for taking the tablet: 8:00 and 20:00 or 10:00 and 22:00. It’s more convenient for the patient, and it’s impossible to understand in both ways.

Rule 2. Compliance, or commitment to acceptance

With short courses of pills, things are more or less normal: we usually don’t forget to take them for a couple of days. It gets worse with long courses. Because we are in a hurry, because we are stressed, because it just slipped our minds. There is another side to the coin: sometimes people take medicine mechanically, half asleep, and then forget about it and take more. And it’s good if it’s not a potent drug.

Among doctors, before grumbling about this to patients, they suggest testing it on yourself: take a dark glass jar with 60 harmless tablets (glucose, calcium gluconate, etc.) and take one daily. There were many experimenters, but there were only a few of those who, after two months, had 2 to 5-6 “extra” tablets left.

Everyone chooses ways to combat such “sclerosis” for themselves: someone puts medications in a visible place, ticks on the calendar help pedants, and alarm clocks, reminders on a mobile phone, etc. help those who are especially forgetful. Pharmaceutical companies even produce special calendars where you can mark each appointment. Not so long ago (though, as usual, not in Russia) hybrid alarm clocks and mini-first aid kits appeared, ringing and dispensing a tablet at a certain time.

Rule 3. Before or after eating - this is important

According to their relationship with meals, all tablets are divided into groups: “anyway”, “before”, “after” and “during meals”. Moreover, in the doctor’s mind, the patient eats strictly according to the schedule, does not snack during breaks and does not drink tea. But in the patient’s mind, an apple, banana and candy are not food, but food is borscht with a cutlet and compote with pies. Unfortunately, these beliefs also contribute to improper medication use.

"Before meals". To begin with, it’s a good idea to understand what the doctor means when he says “take 30 minutes before meals.” Does this mean that after taking the pill you need to eat a lot, or is the medicine just taken on an empty stomach?

In most cases, when prescribing medications “before meals”, the doctor means:

• that you did not eat anything (nothing at all!) before taking the pill;
• that at least for the specified period after taking the medicine, you will also not eat anything.

That is, this tablet should go into an empty stomach, where it will not be interfered with by gastric juice, food components, etc. From our own practice, we can say that this has to be explained many times. Because, for example, the active ingredients of drugs from the macrolide group are destroyed by an acidic environment. In this case, eating candy or drinking a glass of juice two hours before taking the medicine or an hour after can dramatically affect the result of treatment. The same applies to many other drugs, and it’s not just about gastric juice, but also about the timing of the drug getting from the stomach into the intestines, absorption disorders, and simply the chemical reaction of the drug’s components with food.

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule when you need to eat exactly within the specified period after taking it. For example, for gastrointestinal diseases or endocrinopathies. Therefore, for your own convenience, it is better to clarify what exactly the doctor had in mind when prescribing the drug “before meals”.

"While eating": everything is clear here. Just again, check what to do and how much to eat with the pill, especially if you are organized according to the “Monday-Wednesday-Friday” principle.

"After meal" Significantly fewer medications are taken. As a rule, these include drugs that irritate the gastric mucosa or help normalize digestion. “Food” in this case often does not mean a change from three courses, especially if the drug needs to be taken 4-5-6 times a day. A limited amount of food will suffice.

Rule 4. Not all tablets can be taken together

Most tablets should be taken separately, unless taking a “bulk lot” is specifically approved by your doctor. This is not very convenient, but it is impossible to conduct research on the interaction of all drugs in the world, and swallowing tablets by the handful can easily result in an unpredictable effect already at the initial stage. Unless otherwise specified, at least 30 minutes should pass between taking different medications.

Now about compatibility. Patients often like to bring their own creativity to treatment. For example, “I’m taking the medicine prescribed by the doctor, and since it’s probably harmful, it’s a good idea to take some vitamins or something else at the same time.” And the fact that vitamins can neutralize the medicine or lead to unpredictable consequences while taking the main drug is not taken into account.

Hepator rotators, vitamins, combined cold remedies and herbs recommended by your beloved grandmother can be taken during treatment only after consulting with your doctor in advance. If you are being treated by several specialists for different reasons, they should know about each other’s prescriptions.

Rule 5. Not all tablets have fractional dosages

There are different tablets, and not all of them can be broken to divide into several doses. Moreover, some tablets are coated, damaging which can affect the properties of the medicine. Therefore, the absence of a “dividing strip” should be alarming - most often such a tablet cannot be divided. And dosages of one-fourth or even one-eighth of a tablet also raise questions - it is almost impossible to measure correctly in such cases. If such a prescription was made by a doctor, you can ask him what the consequences are. Well, let’s not even talk about self-medication again.

Rule 6. Medicines, with rare exceptions, are taken only with water.

Not tea-coffee, not juice, not, God forbid, sweet soda, but personalized water - the most ordinary and non-carbonated one. There are even separate studies devoted to this issue.

True, there are certain groups of drugs that are washed down with sour drinks, milk, alkaline mineral water and other separately specified drinks. But these are exceptions, and they will definitely be mentioned when prescribing and in the instructions.

Rule 7. Chewable tablets are chewed, dragees are not crushed.

Direct prohibitions, as well as indications of special methods of use, appear for a reason. A chewable or suckable tablet that you swallow whole will take a different time to work or may not work at all.

The release form of the drug is also not chosen by chance. If the tablet has a special coating, it should not be crushed, broken or bitten. Because this coating protects something from something: the active ingredient of the tablet from stomach acids, the stomach from the active ingredient, the esophagus or tooth enamel from damage, etc. The capsule form also says that the active ingredient should be absorbed only in the intestines and for a certain time. Therefore, capsules can only be opened as prescribed by a doctor, with an eye to the instructions.

Rule 8. There are special cases, but they must be assessed by a doctor

Different doctors have their own treatment regimens that have been tested over the years, and sometimes the dosage and method of taking drugs may differ for different groups of patients. In the same way, if there are characteristics of the patient (comorbidities, individual reactions, etc.), the prescription can be adjusted specifically for this case. At the same time, the choice of a drug and the method of its use are influenced by factors that are not always obvious to a person without a medical education. Therefore, if your grandfather with hypertension took the same medications according to a different regimen prescribed by the best doctor in the world, this is not a reason to take them the same way. You need to take pills, like any other medicines, without doing anything on your own, and absolutely any innovations that have not been agreed upon with your doctor are unnecessary.

What should I take with my medications?

Grapefruit juice does not mix well with medications. Back in 2000, scientists proved that it should not be used simultaneously with heart medications. The fact is that grapefruit juice contains a substance that can interact with certain medications, increasing the rate of their absorption in the patient’s gastrointestinal tract.

This feature of the citrus drink is especially dangerous for older people, who more often take heart pills and often drink calcium-enriched grapefruit juice. Excessive action of cardiac drugs can cause fatal complications. In general, the interaction of grapefruit juice with medications intended for oral administration is unpredictable.

Name list

At the initiative of scientists, some American journals published a complete list of drugs that, in combination with grapefruit juice, can behave unpredictably. For example, women who take birth control pills and drink grapefruit juice may one day find that they are slightly pregnant, while those who take may find that they are not at all slightly depressed. The range of “miracles” depends on the drug itself.

But the greatest danger is the combination of harmful juice and lipid-lowering drugs. While the liver is “busy” disassembling grapefruit ingredients for spare parts, drugs circulate through the body, their concentration in the blood increases, reaching that dangerous level when all the side effects appear at once. The main problems - as in the case described - are muscle damage and acute renal failure.

So, you will have to forget about grapefruit juice (especially freshly squeezed) if you are taking one of the following drugs (it should be noted that many of them are very popular in Russia):

• Anxiolytics: alprazolam, buspirone, midazolam, triazolam
• Antiarrhythmic: amiodarone, quinidine
• : clarithromycin, erythromycin, troleandomycin
• Antihistamines: fexofenadine
• Anticoagulants: warfarin
• Antiepileptic: carbamazepine
• Beta blockers: carvedilol
• Calcium channel blockers: diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, nimodipine, nisoldipine, verapamil
• Hormonal preparations containing: cortisol, estradiol, methylprednisolone, progesterone, testosterone
• Immunosuppressants: cyclosporine, sirolimus, tacrolimus
• HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (hypolipidemic): atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, simvastatin
• Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (antidepressants): sertraline, fluvoxamine
• Xanthines: theophylline
• Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia: finasteride
• Opioid analgesics: alfentanil, fentanyl, sufentanil
• Antiviral: amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir
• Anthelmintic: albendazole
• Antifungal: itraconazole
• Antitussives: dextromethorphan
• Antitumor: cyclophosphamide, etoposide, ifosamide, tamoxifen, vinblastine, vincristine
• Reporters: sildenafil, tadalafil

It should be especially emphasized that listed active ingredients, and trade names of drugs can be very diverse. The name of the active substance is written on the packaging and indicated in the instructions for the drug.

Tea, coffee, Borjom

After reading this list, which contains five dozen active ingredients (and these are several hundred trade names), a logical question arises: what then can and should be taken with medications, if everything is so serious? What about mineral water, other juices, tea, coffee, milk?

There are a number of medications that should be taken not with water, but with a specific liquid - to achieve the desired effect.

For example, it is better to take erythromycin with any alkaline mineral water (Essentuki No. 4, No. 17) or milk. Alkaline mineral water will also be required if you are taking aspirin. It is also recommended to drink sulfonamides (biseptol, sulfalene, sulfodimethoxine). Mineral water also enhances the absorption of analgin, tetracycline, and sedatives.

Indomethacin or reserpine, due to the chemical characteristics of the active principle, is recommended to be taken with milk. The same applies to fat-soluble vitamins (D, E, K, A) and iodine preparations.

But the same milk reduces the effectiveness of drugs similar in structure to proteins - cardiac glycosides, caffeine, antiulcer drugs (cimetidine, ranitidine). You should not drink it with it (pancreatin, mezim). Milk inactivates tetracycline preparations, since the calcium contained in milk forms an insoluble compound with the components of the drug. Sometimes in the annotation to the drug you can find a direct mention of the inadmissibility of drinking milk. For example, the manufacturer of Hilak Forte indicates: “take with a small amount of liquid (excluding milk).”

Fruit juices, especially sour ones, negate the effect of taking, for example, antacids that reduce the acidity of gastric juice. You should not drink juice or compote with cardiac glycosides (digoxin, etc.) and sulfonamides (streptocide, sulfalene, etc.), which are alkaline in their chemical nature (and juices contain fruit acids). It is known that acidic fruit and vegetable juices negatively affect the effectiveness of antibiotics such as erythromycin, sumamed, ampicillin, and, conversely, significantly increase the activity (even toxic effects) of aspirin, nitrofurans (furagin, furazolidone), paracetamol, ibuprofen.

Avoid taking the tablets with tea. The tannin contained in it can form insoluble compounds and simply cause some drugs to precipitate (papaverine, codeine, aminophylline, cardiac glycosides, etc.)

Coffee is also not suitable, for example, when taking sedatives. This applies to many other drugs as well.

Sometimes, to reduce the irritating effect of the medicine, it is advisable to drink it with jelly. You just need to remember that the mucous decoction slows down the absorption of the drug.

The only universal means for swallowing tablets was and remains water (not with ice, but at room temperature). Usually a quarter glass is enough, but in special cases (salicylates) a larger amount may be required.

Vodka, herring, tablet

Another, important, particularly for Russia, question arises - what about alcohol? Vodka, cognac, wine, beer - how do they combine with various medicines? The short answer is that alcohol and drugs do not mix. That is, if you are prescribed any treatment and have to take pills, you will have to forget about alcohol for this time.

Some medications, when combined with alcohol, turn into an explosive mixture that can incapacitate or even kill a person for a long time. Remember the domestic film “Criminal Talent”. The heroine of Alexandra Zakharova plied men in a restaurant with alcohol in which clonidine was dissolved, and then cleaned them out. The method was at one time very common among prostitutes who wanted to get money from a client without providing the agreed services.

Metronidazole in combination with alcohol can also make you sad for a long time, as it causes an effect similar to the effect of anti-alcohol drugs (Teturam, Antabuse, Esperal), up to coma.

Antibiotics, antidepressants and drugs from many other pharmacological groups are also very unfriendly to alcohol. There is only one choice: either drink or get treatment.

Finally, read the instructions

How do you remember what to drink with what? In fact, you shouldn’t make up huge tables for yourself that would only fit on the wall - so many different combinations are possible even when taking one drug. And if you have to take several medications, then you’re not far from panic.

In fact, everything is much simpler. First of all, pester your doctor with questions about your medication regimen. Secondly, take out the instructions for the purchased medicine from the trash can and study it carefully. After all, we are talking about your health and here no information can be superfluous.

If the instructions do not specifically indicate what exactly should be taken with this or that medication, take it with boiled water at room temperature (about +20 o C). Refrain from drinking alcohol and, just in case, put away grapefruit juice until better times. You never know.

Not everyone carefully reads the accompanying instructions before taking the medicine. But it is especially important to familiarize yourself with the part where the tips for use are written. Many people believe that tablets can be taken with any drink. But often the wrong combination of a drug and a drink can reduce the healing properties of the medicine. Therefore, you need to know what to take your pills with. A detailed answer to the question is presented in the article.

Dosage forms

Drugs intended for oral administration come in different forms. They are produced in the form of tablets, capsules, solutions, tinctures, infusions, dragees, pills, and powders. The shape affects the absorption rate of the active ingredient.

The most effective medicines are tablets. But they are not the same: some have a “glaze” shell, while others are produced without it. Such a coating is usually present when the tablet contains components that are aggressive to the stomach, or when the active substance needs to be protected from breakdown by gastric juice. The breakdown of coated tablets occurs in the intestines.

There are drugs that have a multi-layer protective coating. They have a long-lasting effect because the active ingredient is released gradually. Do not break or crush glazed tablets, since the destruction of the protective film will prematurely release the active ingredient.

Any pills must be taken with water. This makes it easier to swallow and also leads to the dissolution and absorption of the medicine. Usually the instructions indicate which drink is best to use for this. In order for the drug to work and not cause side effects, you need to know how to take different types of tablets. According to reviews, it is important to take into account the opinions of experts.

Drinking water

Can I take the tablets with water? Sometimes the instructions do not contain special notes on this matter. Then you can choose ordinary water at room temperature: boiled or bottled, but without gas. It has the property of a solvent, but it does not change the formula of the drug. According to reviews, many people use water for drinking. This is the safest type of liquid and is suitable for most medications.

You need to drink as much liquid as indicated in the instructions. Especially in the instructions it is recommended to drink at least ½ glass of liquid, and not 1-2 sips. When there is not enough water, the tablet will not be dissolved in the stomach in a timely manner and will not begin to act. As a result, the body will not receive the entire portion of the active ingredient, but only a part of what is in the drug. Is it possible to take a tablet with sparkling water? This will be discussed in the next section.

What kind of water is suitable?

You can take the pills. You should not do this. But should you take the tablets with mineral water? Doctors note that there are warnings here. Such a liquid contains many salts that can participate in reactions with the active ingredient or tablet shell.

Alkaline mineral water is suitable for Aspirin, Streptocide, Phthalazole. Thanks to the alkaline environment, the product's lifespan increases and the removal of toxins is simplified. If “Analgin” or “Tetracycline” is washed down with alkaline water, then the dosage must be controlled, since such water increases the absorption of drugs. Bottled water is now sold, which is ideal for washing down tablets.

Therefore, you should not take the tablets with carbonated water, but still or mineral water is just fine. But Cola and sweet fizzy drinks are not the best choice. Soda irritates the gastric mucosa, and when combined with drugs, this effect is enhanced. When consuming Cola, the therapeutic effect of many drugs is noticeably reduced.

Tea

It is better not to take the tablets with tea. This is due to the fact that the drink made from tea leaves includes phenolic compounds from tannins (also found in red wine). Why can't you take your tablets with tea? Phenolic components are incompatible with codeine, aminophylline, cardiac glycosides, since absorption is impaired with them.

You should not drink tea if you are taking medications that contain iron, as the mineral will not be absorbed. You should take this drink and antibiotics, stomach and heart medications at different times. Is it possible to take antidepressant pills with tea? This combination leads to symptoms of overexcitation. And contraceptives won't work.

Coffee

What should I take the tablets with, besides water? Many people think that black coffee is suitable for this; they do not think about the consequences. This drink is incompatible with many medications, as it reduces their effectiveness. This applies to vitamins, in particular vitamin C, whose beneficial properties disappear due to coffee. The drink should not be combined with homeopathic medicines, as they will not work.

There is another reason why you should not drink coffee - the diuretic effect of the drink. The medicine will be quickly removed from the body before it has time to take effect. But there are cases when coffee enhances the effect of a medicine. This happens with painkillers that contain caffeine. But then there is a risk of drug overdose.

Taking medications that regulate blood pressure and heart function will not be effective. It is also a threat to a diseased cardiac system. You should not take sleeping pills with coffee, as there will be no result anyway.

Milk

It is widely believed that it is useful to take the tablet with milk, since the product serves to protect the stomach walls from irritation. Sometimes this drink is combined with medications. For example, with acetylsalicylic acid, non-steroidal drugs, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), iodine-containing, anti-tuberculosis and some hormonal drugs.

But there is a list of medications that cannot be combined with this drink. Can I take cardiac glycosides with milk? To maintain the therapeutic effect, this should not be done. The drink is also not combined with caffeine-containing drugs, drugs for the treatment of ulcers, or enzymes. Due to milk, the effect of tetracycline, penicillin, and cephalosporin antibiotics is lost. Due to their reaction with calcium, a substance appears that cannot be absorbed by the body, so there will be no effect from taking the drug. Also, milk should not be consumed with iron-based medications. This is also due to calcium, which prevents iron from being absorbed.

Acid-resistant tablets are not compatible with milk. These drugs have a special shell that protects them from destruction by gastric juice. Such drugs act only in the intestines. If you take this remedy with milk, it will dissolve in the stomach and the active ingredient will not enter the intestines, so there will be no result from the treatment. Manufacturers often indicate what to take the tablets with and what is best not to use.

Juices

Can I take the tablet with juice? Many people believe that if this drink is useful in itself, then when combined with drugs there will only be benefits. But this is a mistaken opinion.

Vegetable and fruit juices can both reduce and enhance the therapeutic effect of certain drugs. For example, Ampicillin, Azithromycin, and Erythromycin lose their effect when combined with this drink. And “Aspirin”, “Paracetamol”, “Ibuprofen” and nitrouranium products with sour and vegetable juices enhance the effect.

If sulfanilamide is combined with tomato juice, the antibacterial effect of the drug will noticeably decrease. The reason is a reaction with folic acid, which is in the drink. You should not take medications from this group with acidic drinks. These are alkalis. There will be a chemical reaction between the substances, which will neutralize the effect of the drug.

Psychostimulants should not be combined with pineapple or grape juice. This can lead to a hypertensive crisis. The combination of antacids and sour juices is contradictory. Medicines in this group protect the gastric mucosa from irritation by hydrochloric acid and bile. And fruit acids, which are in sour drinks, lead to the destruction of the protective layer on the walls of the stomach and an increase in acidity in it.

Warfarin medications should not be taken with cranberry juice, otherwise negative consequences are likely. The berries contain blood thinning components. Due to an overdose of components, bleeding may occur.

According to doctors, the combination of tablets with grapefruit juice is dangerous. This is due to the fact that the drink contains different components that affect the enzymatic functioning of the liver, which is why chemical components can have an unpredictable effect. Grapefruit juice should not be combined with heart medications, antidepressants, antibiotics, drugs against allergies, fungi or viruses, as well as medications that lower blood pressure. Acidic juices are not used to wash down coated tablets, as this is dangerous for the digestive system.

Compote or jelly

Many people love drinks such as jelly and compote. They are tasty and healthy. Compotes contain vitamins and other nutrients, and jelly has an enveloping effect, which has a positive effect on gastritis or stomach ulcers.

Although drinks are useful, they should not be combined with medications. If the tablet is washed down with jelly, the therapeutic effect will noticeably decrease. Compote, saturated with fruit acids, changes the pharmacological action of drugs, especially those that treat hypertension, heartburn.

Alcohol

No alcohol should be combined with medications. Such drinks not only neutralize the therapeutic effect. Alcohol also leads to chemical reactions, due to which there are severe poisoning, violations of the functions of internal organs and the psyche. For example, many cough or headache remedies contain codeine, which reacts with ethanol to cause respiratory depression. If a glass of wine is drunk on the date of taking the drug with codeine, then it is advisable not to take the pill.

It is dangerous to combine alcohol with sleeping pills, antidepressants, analgesics, antibiotics, antipyretics and antiallergic drugs, since ethanol enhances the effect of these drugs and significantly increases the load on the liver.

If you regularly combine alcohol with Aspirin, a stomach ulcer may appear. And drugs to lower blood sugar can lead to hypoglycemia. Soluble cold medications with ethanol increase blood pressure.

Features of tablet absorption

To ensure a therapeutic effect, the drug must enter the bloodstream. And for this, the active ingredient is absorbed through the walls of the stomach or intestines. A strong effect on this process has an acidic environment, which is different in different places of the digestive tract. Drugs with acids are usually absorbed in the stomach, and alkaline ones - in the intestines.

Another test that the drug undergoes in the body is considered to be Many products lose their effect when in contact with food enzymes. This applies to protein and polypeptide components, for example, insulin and vasopressin. Some hormonal agents cannot interact with enzymes.

There are tablets that are not swallowed, but dissolved in the mouth. This method of administration allows the main component to quickly enter the bloodstream without passing through the liver. These are not all the factors affecting the absorption and effect of drugs. Foods that have different effects on the formation of gastric juice and enzymes are important, which affects the absorption of the tablet.

When is the best time to take the pills?

If there are no special instructions in the instructions for the medicine, this does not mean that it can be taken at any time. Typically, tablets are taken 20-30 minutes before meals, when the active ingredient is more easily absorbed.

If an acid-base environment is required for its absorption, then the instructions indicate the exact period for taking the drug. Often, food intake affects the duration of the medicine.

Half an hour before the following appointment is required:

• drugs acting on the formation of gastric juice;
• hormonal agents;
• preparations based on live bacteria;
• homeopathic medicines;
• decoctions of medicinal herbs.

During the meal, enzymes are taken that improve the absorption of products. There are remedies to be taken after meals. This applies to most medications, drugs that irritate the gastric mucosa, vitamins and dietary supplements.

Thus, different drinks are used to drink tablets. This information must be sought in the instructions for a particular tool. Taking into account the recommendations presented in the article will make the effect of any drug more effective.