A doctor warns that consuming some common household fruits can expose people taking common medications for managing high blood pressure or heart failure to health risks.
Dr. Chris Steel explained that fruits such as bananas, oranges, and grapefruit can interact with Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors like captopril, fosinopril, or enalapril, potentially leading to increased blood potassium levels and causing palpitations or irregular heartbeats.
Potassium, while important for heart, muscle, and nerve health, can cause hyperkalemia when its levels are elevated, including symptoms such as muscle weakness, slow heart rate, and in severe cases, may lead to cardiac arrest.
Dr. Steel also noted that certain other foods may interact with different medications, including:
• Dairy products with antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, reducing the drug's effectiveness.
• Grapefruit with statin drugs.
• Black licorice with heart medications like digoxin.
• Leafy greens with blood thinners.
• Coffee with bronchodilators for asthma.
• Smoked salmon with antidepressants.
• Lime or "lim" with cough medicine.
Dr. Steel emphasized that consulting with a doctor about dietary changes and potential adjustments when prescribing new medications is crucial to avoid undesirable side effects, stressing the importance of awareness of the relationship between food and medications to ensure patient safety.
