Thread by @Tobenna__

Things you shouldn’t take with your antibiotics:

1. Milk.
2. Dairy products.
3. Magnesium and/or calcium supplements.
4. Antacids.
5. Grape juice
6. Caffeine or caffeinated drinks.
7. Alcohol.
8. Tetracycline and clarithromycin are best taken on an empty stomach.

Milk, dairy products, magnesium or calcium supplements can make antibiotics like ciprofloxacin ineffective. Magnesium or calcium supplements might decrease how much antibiotics your body absorbs. This in turn reduces how effective the antibiotics is which can make it ineffective.

You are not to take antacids (eg mismag) with your antibiotics or within the period of taking your antibiotics. If you take the antacid first, take your drug(s) in next 3hrs at least. If you take the drug first, take the antacid in 2hrs time. Taking them together will result in -

-drug interaction as the antacid will inhibit the absorption of the antibiotics making it ineffective.

It is very wrong to use grape juice to take your antibiotics. Doing that may result in medication overdose. Taking a tab. of antibiotics and grape juice is like taking more than 3tabs of the same antibiotics with water. Grape juice increases the side effects of antibiotics and -

- as such should not be used in taking antibiotics. Take your drugs with water except otherwise stated by your healthcare provider.

You are not to use caffeinated drinks to take your antibiotics. Taking your antibiotics along with caffeine can increase the risk of side effects like headache, increased heart rate etc.

Alcohol is a totally a NO for taking your drugs. Certain antibiotics make you drowsy or feel sick. Alcohol can also make you feel the same. Taking alcohol and such antibiotics can result in even worse side effects. Don’t use alcohol to take your drugs.

Some antibiotics are best taken without food and that’s why it’s important to consult your healthcare provider before using certain medications especially medications like the antibiotics. You are only allowed to take those medications with food if it irritates your stomach-

-beyond the level allowed. Always consult your healthcare provider on the drugs you are using.