Many people in daily life hold the belief that "milk nourishes the stomach". They are accustomed to taking medication with milk or drinking milk immediately after taking medication, believing that this can both reduce the irritation of the medication on the intestines and stomach and provide nutrition.
However, many people have experienced a sudden decline in efficacy, severe stomach pain, and even health risks as a result.
Pharmacist's reminder: Milk is not a good choice for nourishing the stomach. If taken with common medications, it can not only affect the efficacy of the drugs but also potentially cause adverse reactions. Therefore, it is not recommended to take medications with milk.
Why is it not recommended to take medication with milk?
Many people have doubts: milk is mild and non-irritating, so why shouldn't it be taken with medications? Actually, the reason is quite simple. Firstly, the calcium, magnesium, and protein in milk can combine with medications to form substances that are difficult to absorb, naturally reducing the efficacy of the medication. Secondly, milk forms a thin film in the stomach, blocking the dissolution and absorption of medications. If the concentration of medication in the body is insufficient, the therapeutic effect will be compromised. Furthermore, the reaction between the two may produce irritants, causing abdominal pain, vomiting, and in some cases, even damage to bodily organs when certain medications are mixed.
✅ Correct approach:
1. Wait for at least 1-2 hours after taking the medicine before drinking milk;
2. Take the medication with warm water, and avoid substituting it with beverages such as tea or juice.
Not just antihypertensive drugs! These 12 types of medications are "incompatible" with milk
The impact of milk is far beyond imagination. When taking the following types of medications, you must ensure a sufficient interval between consumption of milk and taking the medication. Don't be careless!
01 Antibiotics
Metal ions in milk can combine with antibiotics such as quinolones, tetracyclines, oxytetracycline, erythromycins, and metronidazole to form insoluble chelates, which can affect absorption, reduce antibacterial activity, and even render them completely ineffective.
02 Calcium and aluminum preparations
The protein in milk can form clumps with calcium and aluminum preparations such as calcium lactate, calcium gluconate, and aluminum hydroxide, which not only affects absorption but also increases the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.
03 Iron preparations
The calcium ions in milk can compete with iron supplements at the duodenal absorption site, thereby reducing the therapeutic effect.
04 Antacids
For example, bismuth potassium citrate, compound bismuth aluminate, sodium bicarbonate, etc., when taken with milk, can lead to milk-alkali syndrome.
05 Some antidepressants
Milk should not be taken concurrently with monoamine oxidase inhibitors found in antidepressants. This is because milk is rich in tyramine. When this enzyme is inhibited, tyramine accumulates significantly, leading to a sudden increase in blood pressure, arrhythmia, and in severe cases, cerebral hemorrhage or even death.
06 Anti-influenza drugs
Mabrolozawei is not recommended to be taken with dairy products or calcium-fortified beverages. As the combination of metal ions with this drug can reduce absorption, a 4-hour interval is recommended.
07 Anti-osteoporotic drugs
For example, alendronate sodium and other drugs need to be absorbed in an acidic environment on an empty stomach, and milk can significantly reduce their effectiveness. It is recommended to take the medication on an empty stomach and wait at least half an hour before drinking milk.
08 Antidiarrheal drugs
For example, adsorbents such as activated charcoal and montmorillonite powder, as well as astringents like tannic acid protein, should not be taken with milk. Milk will encapsulate the medication, affecting its antidiarrheal effect.
09 Anti-Parkinson's disease drugs
For example, with levodopa, protein in food can interfere with its absorption.
10 Cardiac glycosides
For example, digitalis, digoxin, and other drugs have "calcium-enhanced toxicity", and taking them with milk rich in calcium can increase the risk of poisoning.
11 Thyroid hormone drugs
For example, levothyroxine sodium (Euthyrox) can significantly affect its absorption when taken with milk, soy products, and high-fiber foods. It is recommended to take it in the morning on an empty stomach, and wait at least half an hour before eating breakfast or drinking milk.
12. Some traditional Chinese medicines
Many traditional Chinese medicines or traditional Chinese patent medicines and simple preparations contain tannins, flavonoids, and other ingredients that are prone to combining with proteins and calcium in milk, thereby affecting the efficacy of the medication.
Source | Xinhua News Agency