Food and Medicines: Why What You Eat Matters More Than You Think

Most people know that medicines help us feel better — but fewer realise that what you eat and drink can change how well your medicines work.

Some medicines are safe to take with food, while others work best on an empty stomach. Certain foods and drinks can even reduce the effect of a medicine or increase side effects, sometimes leading to serious harm. Understanding these interactions isn’t always easy — which is why Home Medicine Reviews (HMRs) play such an important role in keeping people safe.

What is a food–medicine interaction?

A food–medicine interaction happens when food or drink affects how a medicine works in your body. This can result in:

• the medicine not working properly

• stronger effects than expected

• more side effects

• increased risk of harm

These interactions can happen with everyday foods like milk, fruit juice, leafy vegetables, fibre-rich foods, and alcohol.

How food can affect medicines

Food can change how a medicine behaves in several ways:

• Absorption – Food can slow down or reduce how much medicine gets into your bloodstream.

• Breakdown (metabolism) – Some foods interfere with the enzymes that break down medicines.

• Effect on the body – Certain foods can increase or decrease what a medicine is meant to do.

Because everyone eats differently, the impact can vary from person to person.

Common examples you might recognise

Grapefruit and medicines: Grapefruit and some other citrus fruits can interfere with enzymes that process medicines. This can lead to higher levels of medicine in the body, increasing the risk of side effects. Medicines affected include some:

• cholesterol medicines (statins)

• blood pressure medicines

• heart rhythm medicines

• anxiety and sleep medicines

For some medicines, avoiding grapefruit completely is recommended — even drinking it at a different time of day may not help.

Dairy foods and antibioticsMilk, yoghurt and cheese contain calcium, which can bind to certain antibiotics (like ciprofloxacin) and stop them being absorbed properly. This may cause the antibiotic to not work as intended, increasing the risk of treatment failure.

Vitamin K and warfarinGreen leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and broccoli are healthy — but they contain vitamin K, which can reduce the effect of warfarin. The key is consistency, not avoidance. Big changes in diet can affect blood test results and increase the risk of clots or bleeding.

Alcohol and medicines: Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness with many medicines, raising the risk of falls and accidents — especially in older people. Alcohol can also increase liver damage when combined with medicines like paracetamol.

Why this matters at home

Many people:

• take multiple medicines

• eat regular but varied diets

• use supplements or over-the-counter products

• are unsure which medicines need to be taken with or without food

These everyday factors can quietly affect treatment success — and they’re not always picked up during a quick pharmacy visit or doctor’s appointment.

How a Home Medicine Review can help

A Home Medicine Review (HMR) involves an accredited pharmacist visiting you at home to review all your medicines, including prescription medicines, supplements and over-the-counter products.

During an HMR, the pharmacist can:

• check how and when you take each medicine

• identify possible food–medicine interactions

• tailor advice to your usual diet and routines

• help simplify medicine schedules

• reduce side effects and improve safety

• work with your GP to optimise your treatment

Because it happens in your ho

me, the pharmacist can see the full picture — including what foods, drinks and supplements you actually use.

The bottom line

Medicines don’t work in isolation. Food, drinks, timing and habits all matter — and small changes can make a big difference to your health.

If you take multiple medicines, have recently started a new one, or feel unsure about how to take them safely, a Home Medicine Review can provide clear, personalised guidance and peace of mind.

Talk to your GP or pharmacist to see if a Home Medicine Review is right for you — it’s a simple step that can help ensure your medicines are working for you, not against you.