Christmas dinner could mess with your medicines: health experts

Doctors say to eat your vegetables, but beware: some holiday staples may negatively interact with certain medications. 

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in England revealed their top five don’ts when it comes to pairing food or drinks with pills.

“For many people, the festive season is a time for coming together, creating treasured memories, and sharing traditions,” Dr. Alison Cave, chief safety officer, said on the MHRA site.

“But with all the busyness at this time of year, it’s important not to let being safe fall off your To Do list, particularly when it comes to using medical products,” she added. 

Cranberries

If you’re taking warfarin, which is a blood-thinning medication used to treat and prevent clots, you might want to avoid eating or drinking anything made with cranberries.

Cranberries can cause bleeding problems in people taking warfarin, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Foods high in vitamin K

Foods high in vitamin K could make warfarin less effective because the body uses vitamin K to make blood clot. 

Brussels sprouts, a holiday favorite, are high in vitamin K, as are kale, spinach, asparagus, collard greens, mustard green, turnip greens, swiss chard, broccoli, asparagus, chamomile or green tea and seaweed, according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Alcohol

Drinking large amounts of alcohol while taking warfarin can increase the risk of bleeding.

Alcohol can also interact with antibiotics by making them less effective, or it can intensify the side effects of other medications.

“Alcohol intensifies the effect of some medications, such as sedatives or pain medicines. Some medications increase the effects of alcohol causing dizziness, drowsiness, inability to control balance or walk properly. Alcohol can exhaust enzymes needed to metabolize the medication, thereby increasing the level of the medication,” the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports said on its site. 

Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice interacts with a host of medications including warfarin, a cholesterol medication called simvastatin and certain cancer medications.

“It increases the level of the drug in your blood and makes side effects more likely,” the MHRA said on its website. 

The agency also warned people to avoid taking diet pills or using counterfeit weight-loss pens, which could impair driving for holiday travelers.