According to the Consumer Health Information Corporation, 50 percent of medicines are not taken correctly, which may lead to serious health problems, hospitalization and possible death. Certain foods or drinks can interact with some medicines, such as blood pressure medications, and affect how they work or make their side effects worse. Being aware of the information of medication labels and discussing medication use with providers can help prevent medication interactions.
Calcium Channel Blockers
According to the Visiting Nurse Service or VNS, calcium supplements may decrease the effectiveness of calcium channel blockers or CCBs, including amlodipione and nifedipine. The VNS recommends that any vitamin or supplement containing calcium be taken two hours before or two hours after taking calcium channel blockers. Also, the AAFP reports that grapefruit and grapefruit juice raise blood levels of CCBs and need to avoided when taking calcium channel blockers.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors can increase potassium blood levels and therefore interact with potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium, according to the VNS. Potassium should be avoided as higher blood levels of potassium can cause harmful side effects, including muscle weakness, tiredness, abnormal heart beat and nausea, reports the American Heart Association or AHA. Alcohol should also be avoided when taking ACE Inhibitors, notes the VNS. Examples of ACE inhibitors are lisinopril and benazepril.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Angiotensin II receptor blockers or ARBs can increase blood potassium levels, reports the VNS. Medline Plus, an online resource of the National Institutes of Health, urges anyone taking ARBs to talk to their provider before using any salt substitutes containing potassium to avoid the possibility of harmful side effects from increased blood levels of potassium. The elderly and individuals with kidney problems are especially at risk for developing problems from raised blood potassium, according to the AHA. Examples of ARBs include candesartan and losartin.
References
- Consumer Health Information Corporation: Services for Consumers
- American Academy of Family Physicians: High Blood Pressure Medicines
- Visiting Nurse Service: Drug -- Food Interactions
- American Heart Association: Potassium and High Blood Pressure
- American Heart Association: Types of Blood Pressure Medications
- Medline Plus: Candesartan
