Pharmacists warn against mixing broccoli and grape fruit juice with warfarin. Eating dairy products can also interfere with some prescribed antibioticsIf you are taking more than one medication, you've probably been warned about dangerous drug interactions you need to avoid.
According to the NHS, a doctor may advise patients taking statins to avoid eating and drinking grapefruit completely. Others may be encouraged to only consume small quantities. However, while we're all being encouraged to eat more leafy greens, like broccoli and spinach, those on the drug should be careful of these vegetables, experts say.
St John’s Wort and the contraceptive pillSt Johns Wort is a popular herbal remedy sold over the counter as a treatment for people suffering depression, though the NHS doesn't recommended it for this use. 'They both work on the same enzyme and it speeds up the rate of this enzyme. Therefore, the concentration of the contraceptive pill in the body is reduced and it might not work properly.'
Antidepressants and ibuprofen Herbal remedies aren't the only interaction people on antidepressants need to be aware of. People taking SSRIs should consult their doctor or a pharmacist before taking anti-inflammatory painkillers. The NHS says: 'Do not drink alcohol while you're taking metronidazole, including the two days after you finish. This gives the medicine time to leave your body.
'So, there are certain things like this calcium that you've got to be careful when using with certain other medication.'