Question

Avoiding Food-Drug Interactions Betsy A. is a 72-year-old woman who was recently hospitalized after having a mild stroke. She has been discharged from the hospital on warfarin—a blood thinning medication—and has been advised to continue her usual diet at home. Betsy’s doctor also wants her to continue her other medications, which include a diuretic medication, a low-dose daily aspirin, and pravastatin—her cholesterol medication. Betsy and her husband consume a varied diet. Betsy’s husband often barbecues fish, poultry, and meat on their outdoor grill. They eat fresh oranges or grapefruit most mornings and have a mixed green salad with dinner several nights a week. Betsy begins to wonder if her new medication will require her to make any changes in her diet. 

1. Based on information in the chapter, name three potential drug-drug or drug-nutrient interactions Betsy may encounter with the addition of warfarin to her medication regimen. . 

2. Name two foods in Betsy’s usual diet that have the greatest potential to interfere with the therapeutic effect of her new medication. Explain why this is important for Betsy to understand. 

3. Do some quick research into her medications. Why is it important for Betsy to adhere to her doctor’s advice to maintain her current diet in regards to taking warfari 

4. How might Betsy’s nutritional status be affected by her diuretic medication? Explain how she can use this information to make daily food choices. 

5.Based on her current medication regimen, should Betsy stop eating grapefruit? Why or why not? 

6.Write a one day menu that will meet Betty's nutrient needs and maintain safety with her medications. Menu needs to be appropriate and include all food groups.

Answer 1

1Q).

Warfarin (brand name, Coumadin) is an anticoagulant used to prevent the formation of blood clots (to prevent thrombosis). It undergoes metabolism by the liver cytochrome P₄₅₀ enzymes.

Grape seed also increase the bleeding time, or slow down the clotting process. The combined intake of warfarin and grape seeds (present in the grape juice) tend to cause easy bruising and prolonged bleeding. So, the dose of warfarin must be adjusted accordingly, or the consumption of grapes must be avoided.