Because of its reputation for helping prevent urinary tract infections, or UTIs, many people use cranberry juice medicinally. In fact, it does appear useful in preventing UTIs, because it helps prevent infection-causing bacteria from adhering to cells along the urinary tract, MedlinePlus reports. However, before you start guzzling down glasses of the juice, you should understand how it can affect medications you may be taking.
Warfarin
Cranberries and cranberry juice can interact with a common blood-thinning medication called warfarin, which is also known under the brand name Coumadin. Drinking significant amounts of cranberry juice or taking supplements containing cranberry can increase the amount of time the drug remains in your body and also make you more susceptible to bleeding and bruising, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports. To avoid this potentially serious interaction, limit the amount of cranberry juice you take if you take Warfarin.
Drugs Broken Down in the Liver
Medications that get broken down in the liver may be broken down more slowly when used with cranberry, which can intensify the effects of the medication and also make you more likely to experience side effects, MedlinePlus reports. Many medications are broken down by the liver, including common over-the-counter drugs, such as ibuprofen. Prescription drugs that fall into this class include diclofenac, celecoxib, losartan, amitriptyline, tolbutamide, diazepam, zileuton, fluvastatin, glipizide, phenytoin, tamoxifen, irbesartan, piroxicam and torsemide. Before using cranberry juice medicinally, you should first consult with a doctor or pharmacist who can advise you of all potential interactions.
Salicylic Acid
Cranberries are one of several fruits and vegetables that contain large amounts of salicylic acid -- one of the active ingredients in aspirin. Because of the salicylic acid content, drinking cranberry juice can have some of the same effects in the body as taking aspirin, such as preventing blood clots and reducing swelling and inflammation, MedlinePlus reports. In fact, these effects are among those that make cranberry juice useful therapeutically. Despite the salicylic acid content, drinking cranberry juice does not mean you should avoid taking aspirin-containing products. However, if you are allergic to aspirin you should avoid drinking a lot of cranberry juice, because it can cause an allergic reaction.
Safety Precautions
Medicinal use of cranberry juice, such as in the prevention of urinary tract infections, is contraindicated for some conditions. People with diabetes should use it cautiously because of the high sugar content, the University of Maryland Medical Center advises. Cranberry juice also contains large concentrations of a chemical called oxalate that can contribute to kidney stones, so those prone to kidney stones should avoid drinking large amounts of the juice.
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