Question

1. Have you ever encountered a situation in which you experienced (or had another person experience) a drug (OTC or prescription), herbal, or supplement-nutrient interaction? If so, explain what it was. If you have not, research a common interaction and explain it. Your explanation should include what drugs, herbs, or supplements and nutrient(s) are involved as well as the possible result of the interaction. Note that you are not to report on the side effects of a drug, herb or supplement, but rather how these might interact with a nutrient (in foods or in supplemental form) and result in a negative effect.

Answer 1

Yes, I have encountered a situation in which I have experienced a supplement - nutrient interaction . It was between iron supplement and milk .

Drug -food interaction is a change in a drug’s effect on the body when the drug is taken together with certain foods (or beverages). Not all drugs are affected by food, and some drugs are affected by only certain foods. A drug-food interaction can delay, decrease, or enhance absorption of a drug. This can decrease or increase the action of the drug or cause adverse effects.

In the obstetrics department , a prenatal women was taking iron supplements with milk . It's was not having any affect on her iron levels because milk hinders the absorption of iron .

Iron is absorbed the best on an empty stomach. Yet, iron supplements can cause stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea in some people. You may need to take iron with a small amount of food to avoid this problem.

Milk, calcium and antacids should NOT be taken at the same time as iron supplements. You should wait at least 2 hours after having these foods before taking your iron supplements.

Foods that you should NOT eat at the same time as you take your iron include:

High fiber foods, such as whole grains, raw vegetables, and bran

Foods or drinks with caffeine

Some doctors suggest taking a vitamin C supplement or drinking orange juice with your iron pill. This can help the iron absorb into your body. Drinking 8 ounces (240 milliliters) of fluid with an iron pill is also OK.

Tell your provider about all the medicines you are taking.

Iron tablets may cause other drugs you are taking to not work as well. Some of these include tetracycline, penicillin, and ciprofloxacin and drugs used for Parkinson disease and seizures.

Wait at least 2 hours between doses of these drugs and iron supplements.