Health Tip: Drug and Food Interactions

Many medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, can negatively interact with foods, supplements or other drugs.

Here are guidelines to help prevent food-drug interactions, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians:

Check prescription and over-the-counter drug labels to see if they contain any warnings.


Follow directions on all medications carefully.


Unless you get your doctor's OK, never break up pills and mix them with food, and never empty capsules into food.


Take medications with a whole glass of water, unless your doctor has given you other instructions. Never take medications with alcohol.


Don't take your medications at the same time as you take vitamins or dietary supplements.


Don't mix medications in a hot drink, as the heat may affect the medication.