ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MIFood, time of day, can turn drugs deadly

(02/01/12) - The time of day you take your medications, or even the food you eat with them, can have dangerous, even deadly effects. Even something as innocent as a piece of fruit, mixed with the wrong medications can have disastrous effects.

From prescription to over-the counter, medicinal mistakes put at least 1.3 million Americans at risk of premature death each year. The wrong combination of foods and drugs, at the wrong time, could make a life or death difference.

For Debra Jacobson, it was blood pressure meds. At her worst, she hit a dangerous 210/ 190! Normal is 120/80. "He took my pressure and he sent me to another doctor. He said 'you're gonna die' I said, 'not ready!'"

Debra's doctor's advice all came down to her medicine, and the clock. "He said you need to take it at night."

Within three days she saw a drastic change. Dr. Alan Ackermann says taking blood pressure meds at night can cut your risk of heart attack and stroke by one-third. "It's called a silent killer for a reason."

Another mistake, mixing cholesterol lowering drugs, like statins, with grapefruit. The grapefruit breaks down some statins too quickly, making them too toxic too fast. To be safe, talk to your doctor about what you're taking and time your meds for eight to 12 hours after you eat grapefruit.

Another deadly combo is alcohol and acetaminophen. While people mostly will not shoot whiskey with their Tylenol, popping just one to stave off a morning hangover, could put you at risk for liver failure!

Smoking is another habit that does not mix well with some drugs. Most women know smoking while on birth control can cause blood clots. But even just one cigarette, could cause a blocked artery in your lung.

Finally, the same pills you take for pain could be raising your blood pressure by as much as 20 points!

"Most people aren't aware ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil do contain salt," Dr. Ackermann says.

Another thing to watch out for with acetaminophen, even taking a little more than the suggested 3,000 milligrams a day can be risky. A new study finds an extra pill each day can add up over several days and lead to a dangerous overdose.