Thread by @ChiefPharmacst

YOUR MEDICATIONS AND DRINKS

One of the most common questions patients ask me 👇
"Pharm, can I take my Medications with SOFT DRINKS ?"

#ANSWER : it's NOT advisable to take your medications with Soft drinks UNLESS recommended by your Pharmacist.

LET ME EXPLAIN 👇

A Thread

( 1.) Soft drinks are Carbonated water (carbonic #ACID + water).

- The ACID can render the drug "in or Less active" leading to sub-optimal clinical outcome.

- Soft drinks doesn't REALLY cause Ulcer but for can cause some ERODING effects on Ulcer patients & those with history

of Ulcer due to the Phosphoric acid & Carbonic acids present.

The ACID can also worsen the symptoms of Ulcer (such as bloating, stomach fullness, stomach irritation).

Taking Such Drinks with AntiUlcer medications can make such drugs abit less effective.

( 2.) Most Soft drinks contain #SUGAR and some drugs SIDE EFFECTS can lead to hyperglycemia (High sugar level in the blood).

- Combination of both can exacerbate such effect and can be detrimental to the patient.

- Can also render Antidiabetics medications less effective.

- The Sugar in Soft Drink can be Inflammatory to Body tissues & organs. This isn't a go combo with Anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs, steriods) & Antioxidants*, etc.
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(3.) Most Soft drinks also contain #CAFFEINE.

SIDE EFFECTS OF CAFFEINE & IT EFFECTS ON DRUGS 👇

- Caffeine can cause INSOMNIA (because it helps us feel alert). Taking Sedatives or Hypnotics together with Soft drinks can actually disrupt the sleep process, making the drug less effective.

- Caffeine can cause ANXIETY (nervousness & restlessness), taking it with Anxiolytics

can also render the drugs less active.

- Caffeine can cause alot of DIGESTIVE PROBLEM (such as stomach irritation, nausea and vomiting).
Taking it with medication with Digestive disturbance side effects can POTENTIATE those side effects.

- Caffeine can increased Heart rate and BLOOD PRESSURE.
Taking Caffeine containing drinks together with Antihypertensives can render the medications less effective.

- Caffeine can cause Muscle Breakdown (Rhabdomyolysis) hence taking it with Certain medications (such as

Fluroquinolones, Muscle Relaxants) can aggrevate those side effects.

- Caffeine is Addictive. So taking it with certain prescription medicines like TM for pains, can elicit such effects.

- Caffeine can cause Frequent Urination and Urgency.Taking it with some Meds with similar

effects like Diuretics can increase Dehydration.
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ALCOHOL & certain FRUIT JUICE like Grape ❌❌❌ (already discussed yesterday)
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ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR PHARMACIST TO CLEARIFY THE TYPE OF DRINK TO USE WITH YOUR MEDICATIONS.

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