Oncologist Vladimir Ivashkov has urged people to follow a golden rule when taking medication: always swallow pills with water. He explained the reasoning on his Telegram channel.
Ivashkov said other drinks can interact with medication. Milk, he warned, reduces the intestinal absorption of antibiotics such as tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones.
Dangerous combinations
He called alcohol and paracetamol a dangerous duo for the liver. He also said iron supplements should not be taken with coffee or tea, since these drinks cut absorption of the mineral by 60 percent.
Ivashkov further advised against combining bananas with high blood pressure medication, grapefruit with statins, and leafy greens with warfarin, a drug that prevents blood clots.
Pharmacist Sue Ojajir previously described what an ideal travel medicine kit should contain, recommending antiseptic wipes and plasters.
