Just because something is done by tradition does not mean that it is the most correct. Sometimes we act in one way or another because it is what we have seen all our lives, and maybe we are making a mistake, or there are better ways to do it.
This would be the case of the typical image of our older relatives, who every day, perhaps more than once, have to take a certain number of pills and accompany them with coffee with milk to make everything more tolerable and comforting. Are they doing it correctly? Why can’t it be done? Experts generally do not recommend it. Let’s see why.
Science supports the recommendation not to take oral medications with drinks other than water. Although there are some exceptions, in practically all cases the pills must be taken with a good amount of water at room temperature.
A study carried out in Saudi Arabia found that paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets, if taken with milk, coffee, juice or a sugary and carbonated drink, disintegrate more slowly and, therefore, take longer to release the medication in order to that gives the desired effect.
From medications.gencat.cat they indicate that the substances contained in these drinks (caffeine, theine, etc.) are stimulants of the nervous system, and that is why it is advisable not to mix these drinks with medications that also do so. It may cause nervousness, irritability, tremors, insomnia, or cardiac arrhythmias. They should also be avoided if we take medications for insomnia or lithium, since these drinks reduce or cancel their effect.
In the case of soft drinks, especially colas, other research has shown that carbonic acid and caffeine increase the absorption of many types of medications, including ibuprofen. That is, more of the drug will pass into our blood and there may be a risk of poisoning.
Regarding dairy products (milk and derivatives), the calcium they contain means that some medications are not absorbed well and their effects are not sufficiently noticeable. It is better to take them separately from milk and its derivatives. That does not mean that we can never take them, but that it is better to do it separately, leaving a time period of two hours in between. Medications that interact with calcium are especially antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, and those that treat osteoporosis.
Spokesperson for the Union of German Pharmaceutical Associations, Ursula Sellerberg, said that “a little milk in a cup of coffee can be enough to alter the effectiveness of a medicine.” Other drugs whose effect may be affected are those for hypertension, heart disease, lipid metabolic disorders, and other chronic diseases.
In general, it is recommended not to consume alcoholic beverages if you are taking medication. Especially if it is acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. It is also advisable to avoid alcohol while taking antipsychotics (they can cause alterations) or some depressants such as fluvoxamine or amitriptyline (there is a risk of alterations and increased drowsiness).
As a general rule, it must be taken into account that to take oral drugs it is recommended to drink a sufficient amount of water. If you only take a small swallow, there is a risk that the pill, depending on its composition, will stop and even sting in the throat, esophagus or stomach. This can cause discomfort for a certain period of time and even other more serious effects, such as irritation or ulcers.
For these reasons, and many others, it is important to consult the instructions for all medications and follow your doctor’s instructions. Just in case, you should accompany the drugs only with water.
This article was originally published on RAC1.
