Patient Guide
Key Information for Your Stay
Food & Medicine Safety
Learn More About the Medicines You Take
Foods can have unwanted—and sometimes unsafe—effects on your medicines. This chart lists common medicine and food interactions. If you have questions, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Class
Rx Medicine
Tips
Analgesics (pain relievers)
Norco, Vicodin (acetaminophen/ hydrocodone)
Percocet (acetaminophen/oxycodone)
Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen/codeine)
Avoid drinking alcohol. Take with food to reduce upset stomach. Avoid over-the-counter Tylenol (acetaminophen)-containing products. It’s unsafe to take more than 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
Anti-arrhythmics (irregular heart beat)
Cordarone, Pacerone (amiodarone)
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice. May take with or without food, but take the same time each day.
Antibiotics
Ampicillin
Penicillin
Take on an empty stomach for best absorption.
Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
Doxycycline
Levaquin (levofloxacin)
Tetracycline
To improve absorption, avoid antacids, iron-containing foods and calcium-rich dairy products.
Flagyl (metronidazole)
Tindamax (tinidazole)
Avoid alcohol while taking and for 3 days after finishing the medication. Take with food to prevent upset stomach; take probiotics (yogurt or supplements) to prevent diarrhea.
Griseofulvin
Take with fatty food (ice cream, whole milk or cheese) for better absorption.
Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
Coumadin, Jantoven (warfarin)
Avoid sudden increase or decrease in foods rich in vitamin K (green leafy vegetables, avocados, soybeans, green tea) and multivitamins with vitamin K. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list. Limit alcohol and cranberry juice.
Antidepressants
Celexa (citalopram)
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
Avoid drinking alcohol; avoid use of nicotine or tobacco products.
Antipsychotics
Abilify (aripiprazole)
Seroquel (quetiapine)
Avoid drinking alcohol and grapefruit juice.
Clozaril (clozapine)
Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine.
Geodon (ziprasidone)
Take with a meal for best absorption.
Anti-seizure
Carbatrol, Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice.
Depakote (divalproex)
Lamictal (lamotrigine)
Lyrica (pregabalin)
Topamax (topiramate)
Zarontin (ethosuximide)
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Dilantin (phenytoin)
Take on an empty stomach at the same time every day. Avoid calcium or antacids within 2 hours of taking medicine.
Cholesterol
Lipitor (atorvastatin)
Mevacor (lovastatin)
Zocor (simvastatin)
Avoid eating large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (greater than 1 quart per day). Do not eat oat bran within 2–4 hours of taking medicine. Best if taken in the evening.
Diabetes
Amaryl (glimepiride)
DiaBeta (glyburide)
Glucophage (metformin)
Glucotrol (glipizide)
Avoid drinking alcohol. If diabetes is well controlled, limit alcohol to 1–2 drinks per day consumed with a meal.
Gastrointestinal
Nexium (esomeprazole)
Prilosec (omeprazole)
Protonix (pantoprazole)
Take at least 1 hour before meals.
Reglan
(metoclopramide)
Avoid drinking or limit alcohol. Take 30 minutes before meals.
Tagamet (cimetidine)
Avoid drinking alcohol and using nicotine.
Gout*
*If you have gout, avoid large amounts of purine-rich foods (anchovies, beef stock gravies, sardines, shellfish, asparagus, lentils and red meat—especially pork). Check with your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list.
Colcrys (colchicine)
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice.
Zyloprim (allopurinol)
Take after meals.
High Blood Pressure
ACE Inhibitors
Monopril (fosinopril)
Prinvil, Zestril (lisinopril)
Vasotec
(enalapril)
Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and eating large amounts of foods high in potassium (almonds, bananas, cantaloupe, kidney beans, oranges/orange juice, potatoes with skin, tomato juice, spinach).
Beta Blockers
Coreg (carvedilol)
Take with meals to help reduce side effects.
Lopressor
(metoprolol tartrate)
Take with or immediately after meals. Do not take calcium products within 2 hours of taking medicine.
Tenormin
(atenolol)
Avoid drinking orange juice. Do not take calcium products within 2 hours of taking medicine.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calan (verapamil)
Cardizem (diltiazem)
Plendil (felodipine)
Procardia (nifedipine)
Avoid drinking Seville (sour) orange juice, eating grapefruit, and drinking grapefruit juice.
Limit caffeine when taking Calan.
Diuretics
Aldactone (spironolactone)
Dyrenium (triamterene)
Midamor (amiloride)
Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and eating large amounts of foods high in potassium (bananas, cantaloupe, kidney beans, potatoes with skin, tomato juice, spinach).
Immunosuppressants
Neoral, Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
Prograf (tacrolimus)
Rapamune (sirolimus)
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice. Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and eating large amounts of food high in potassium (almonds, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, kidney beans, oranges/orange juice, potatoes with skin, spinach).
MAO Inhibitors
Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar (selegiline)
Marplan (isocarboxazid)
Nardil (phenelzine)
Parnate (tranylcypromine)
Avoid foods high in tyramine (aged cheese, avocado, banana, bologna, pepperoni, salami, pickled herring, liver, raisins, yeast extracts, red wine, sour cream). Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol and caffeine (chocolate, coffee, tea).
Osteoporosis
Bisphosphonates
Boniva (ibandronate)
Actonel, Atelvia (risedronate)
Fosamax (alendronate)
Take on an empty stomach with 8 oz. of water in the morning before breakfast. Do not take any other drugs, vitamins or food within 30 minutes (60 minutes for ibandronate) of taking medicine. Remain upright, not reclining or lying down, for 1 hour after taking.
Thyroid Hormones
Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid (levothyroxine)
Take on an empty stomach 30–60 minutes before breakfast with 8 oz. of water. Avoid eating walnuts, soybean flour, dietary fiber, and calcium products within 4 hours of taking medicine.
Analgesics (pain relievers)
Rx Medicine
Norco, Vicodin (acetaminophen/ hydrocodone)
Percocet (acetaminophen/oxycodone)
Tylenol #3 (acetaminophen/codeine)
Tips
Avoid drinking alcohol. Take with food to reduce upset stomach. Avoid over-the-counter Tylenol (acetaminophen)-containing products. It’s unsafe to take more than 3,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.
Anti-arrhythmics (irregular heart beat)
Rx Medicine
Cordarone, Pacerone (amiodarone)
Tips
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice. May take with or without food, but take the same time each day.
Antibiotics
Rx Medicine
Ampicillin
Penicillin
Tips
Take on an empty stomach for best absorption.
Rx Medicine
Cipro (ciprofloxacin)
Doxycycline
Levaquin (levofloxacin)
Tetracycline
Tips
To improve absorption, avoid antacids, iron-containing foods and calcium-rich dairy products.
Rx Medicine
Flagyl (metronidazole)
Tindamax (tinidazole)
Tips
Avoid alcohol while taking and for 3 days after finishing the medication. Take with food to
prevent upset stomach; take probiotics (yogurt or supplements) to prevent diarrhea.
Rx Medicine
Griseofulvin
Tips
Take with fatty food (ice cream, whole milk or cheese) for better absorption.
Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
Rx Medicine
Coumadin, Jantoven (warfarin)
Tips
Avoid sudden increase or decrease in foods rich in vitamin K (green leafy vegetables, avocados, soybeans, green tea) and multivitamins with vitamin K. Check with your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list. Limit alcohol and cranberry juice.
Antidepressants
Rx Medicine
Celexa (citalopram)
Lexapro (escitalopram)
Paxil (paroxetine)
Prozac (fluoxetine)
Zoloft (sertraline)
Tips
Avoid drinking alcohol; avoid use of nicotine or tobacco products.
Antipsychotics
Rx Medicine
Abilify (aripiprazole)
Seroquel (quetiapine)
Tips
Avoid drinking alcohol and grapefruit juice.
Rx Medicine
Clozaril (clozapine)
Tips
Avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine.
Rx Medicine
Geodon (ziprasidone)
Tips
Take with a meal for best absorption.
Anti-seizure
Rx Medicine
Carbatrol, Tegretol (carbamazepine)
Tips
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice.
Rx Medicine
Depakote (divalproex)
Lamictal (lamotrigine)
Lyrica (pregabalin)
Topamax (topiramate)
Zarontin (ethosuximide
Tips
Avoid drinking alcohol.
Rx Medicine
Dilantin (phenytoin)
Tips
Take on an empty stomach at the same time every day. Avoid calcium or antacids within 2 hours of taking medicine.
Cholesterol
Rx Medicine
Lipitor (atorvastatin)
Mevacor (lovastatin)
Zocor (simvastatin)
Tips
Avoid eating large amounts of grapefruit or grapefruit juice (greater than 1 quart per day). Do not eat oat bran within 2–4 hours of taking medicine. Best if taken in the evening.
Diabetes
Rx Medicine
Amaryl (glimepiride)
DiaBeta (glyburide)
Glucophage (metformin)
Glucotrol (glipizide)
Tips
Avoid drinking alcohol. If diabetes is well controlled, limit alcohol to 1–2 drinks per day consumed with a meal.
Gastrointestinal
Rx Medicine
Nexium (esomeprazole)
Prilosec (omeprazole)
Protonix (pantoprazole)
Tips
Take at least 1 hour before meals.
Rx Medicine
Reglan (metoclopramide)
Tips
Avoid drinking or limit alcohol. Take 30 minutes before meals.
Rx Medicine
Tagamet (cimetidine)
Tips
Avoid alcohol, caffeine and nicotine.
Gout*
*If you have gout, avoid large amounts of purine-rich foods (anchovies, beef stock gravies, sardines, shellfish, asparagus, lentils and red meat—especially pork). Check with your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list.
Rx Medicine
Colcrys (colchicine)
Tips
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice.
Rx Medicine
Zyloprim (allopurinol)
Tips
Take after meals.
High Blood Pressure
ACE Inhibitors
Rx Medicine
Monopril (fosinopril)
Prinvil, Zestril (lisinopril)
Vasotec (enalapril)
Tips
Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and eating large amounts of foods high in potassium (almonds, bananas, cantaloupe, kidney beans, oranges/orange juice, potatoes with skin, tomato juice, spinach).
Beta Blockers
Rx Medicine
Coreg (carvedilol)
Tips
Take with meals to help reduce side effects.
Rx Medicine
Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate)
Tips
Take with or immediately after meals. Do not take calcium products within 2 hours of taking medicine.
Rx Medicine
Tenormin (atenolol)
Tips
Avoid drinking orange juice. Do not take calcium products within 2 hours of taking medicine.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Rx Medicine
Calan (verapamil)
Cardizem (diltiazem)
Plendil (felodipine)
Procardia (nifedipine)
Tips
Avoid drinking Seville (sour) orange juice, eating grapefruit, and drinking grapefruit juice. Limit caffeine when taking Calan.
Diuretics
Rx Medicine
Aldactone (spironolactone)
Dyrenium (triamterene)
Midamor (amiloride)
Tips
Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and eating large amounts of foods high in potassium (bananas, cantaloupe, kidney beans, potatoes with skin, tomato juice, spinach).
Immunosuppressants
Rx Medicine
Neoral, Sandimmune (cyclosporine)
Prograf (tacrolimus)
Rapamune (sirolimus)
Tips
Avoid eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice. Avoid potassium-based salt substitutes and eating large amounts of food high in potassium (almonds, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, kidney beans, oranges/orange juice, potatoes with skin, spinach).
MAO Inhibitors
Rx Medicine
Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar (selegiline)
Marplan (isocarboxazid)
Nardil (phenelzine)
Parnate (tranylcypromine)
Tips
Avoid foods high in tyramine (aged cheese, avocado, banana, bologna, pepperoni, salami, pickled herring, liver, raisins, yeast extracts, red wine, sour cream). Avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol and caffeine (chocolate, coffee, tea).
Osteoporosis
Bisphosphonates
Rx Medicine
Actonel, Atelvia (risedronate)
Boniva (ibandronate)
Fosamax (alendronate)
Tips
Take on an empty stomach with 8 oz. of water in the morning before breakfast. Do not take any other drugs, vitamins or food within 30 minutes (60 minutes for ibandronate) of taking medicine. Remain upright, not reclining or lying down, for 1 hour after taking.
Thyroid Hormones
Rx Medicine
Levoxyl, Synthroid, Tirosint, Unithroid (levothyroxine)
Tips
Take on an empty stomach 30–60 minutes before breakfast with 8 oz. of water. Avoid eating walnuts, soybean flour, dietary fiber, and calcium products within 4 hours of taking medicine.
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