What’s the best thing about Christmas? Surely, it’s got to be the food... but not if it’s worth the health risk.
And that particularly applies to people who take regular medication, such as antidepressants.
Luckily, Ian Budd, Prescribing Pharmacist at online pharmacy Chemist4U, has listed the festive foods and drinks to avoid this winter to keep your Christmas happy and healthy.
Ian warned that ‘common food and drinks can interfere with everyday medication, sometimes making them less effective, and in other cases, increasing the risk of side effects’.
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While most people can guess that alcohol can interfere with their prescription, some of these healthier foods can go under the radar because they’re just that - healthy.
Ian explains that some properties in your food can react with your medication, hindering how effectively your treatment works.
In particular, there are several foods that actually don't mix well with antidepressants, some of which you may have had no idea about.
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The expert notes: "Knowing what to look out for means you can take control of your health and get the most out of your treatment. The more you understand how your medication fits into your daily routine, the safer and more effective it becomes."
So, what should you watch out for if you're on antidepressants this Christmas?
Tyramine-rich foods
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What’s that, you ask? Tyramine-rich foods include foods like ‘aged cheeses, cured meats and fermented products’.
Ian explains: “[These foods] contain something called tyramine, which can cause a sudden rise in blood pressure if you’re taking older antidepressants known as MAO inhibitors. This type of reaction can make you feel unwell with headaches, a fast heartbeat, or even very high blood pressure.
“These drugs aren’t prescribed as often now, but for anyone taking them, it’s important to know which foods to avoid. Your pharmacist can help you spot tyramine-rich foods and give simple swaps so you can still enjoy your meals safely.”
Grapefruit
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Apparently, grapefruit and grapefruit juice are among the most common causes of food and medicine reactions, and everyone on statins, antidepressants, and blood pressure tablets should especially take note.
Ian explains that: "They contain natural chemicals that block an enzyme in your liver, which helps break down certain medicines. When that happens, your body can’t process the drug as it normally would, so more of it stays in your system. That can make side effects stronger or more likely.
“This is especially important if you’re taking medicines like statins, blood pressure tablets, some antidepressants, or immune-suppressing drugs.
"Even one glass of grapefruit juice can have an effect that lasts for up to one day, so it’s safest to avoid it completely with these medications.”
Alcohol
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This may be one of the better-known points, but it’s advice is repeated so often for good reason.
Ian warns: "Alcohol is one of the most common things that interacts with medications, and the effects can vary depending on what you’re taking. It can make some drugs, like antidepressants, sedatives, and strong painkillers, much more sedating, which can leave you feeling drowsy or unsteady.
"It can also put extra strain on your liver or interfere with how medicines for diabetes work, making blood sugar harder to control. It doesn’t mean you can never drink, but it’s always worth checking your patient information leaflet or asking your pharmacist what’s safe for you."
Some foods might interact badly with other medications, such as warfarin - an anticoagulant that reduces the risk of blood clots forming - and antibiotics. These include:
Leafy Greens
You wouldn’t expect that, right? The expert warns that if you are on warfarin, you should monitor your intake.
“Leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli [and Brussels sprouts] are full of vitamin K, which plays a big role in helping your blood to clot. Warfarin works by slowing down vitamin K’s effect, which is how it helps prevent blood clots.
“So, if you suddenly eat a lot more (or a lot less) vitamin K-rich foods than usual, it can throw off the balance and make warfarin either less effective. This is why pharmacists always recommend keeping your intake consistent rather than avoiding greens altogether.”
Cranberries
Ian notes that it’s important to check with your pharmacist regarding your cranberry consumption if you’re taking warfarin.
“Cranberry juice is often seen as a healthy choice, but it can be a problem if you’re taking warfarin. Cranberries contain natural compounds that can affect how your body breaks down warfarin, which may make the drug stronger than intended. That means your blood could become thinner, increasing the risk of bruising or bleeding.
“It’s not an issue for everyone, and an occasional glass is unlikely to cause harm, but drinking cranberry juice regularly or taking cranberry supplements can be risky if you’re on warfarin. It’s always best to check with your pharmacist before making it part of your daily routine.”
Dairy products
If you’re on antibiotics, don’t worry, you can still partake in a cheese board! But the pharmacist notes how the timing of taking your medication is important here.
“Milk, cheese, and yoghurt are part of a healthy diet, but they can sometimes get in the way of how certain antibiotics work," he says.
"The calcium in dairy products can bind medicines like tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones, that are often used to treat chest or urine infections. When that happens, the medicine isn’t absorbed properly, which means your body doesn’t get the full dose and the infection might take longer to clear.
“If you’re prescribed one of these antibiotics, don’t worry; you don’t need to avoid dairy altogether. Just try to take your dose a couple of hours before or after having milk or dairy foods so it can do its job properly.”
Lauren Lees