Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
08/04/2015
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
transparent image
That stuff that medications can not be mixed with alcohol is not just maternal zeal. The association can actually cut the drug effectiveness or even increase the effects of alcohol. Dr. Marcelo Gomes, director of therapeutic area of Novartis company, explains that both are metabolized by the liver when ingested simultaneously and share the capacity for action of the organ.
"When they get the two demands in the liver, the organ does not know which metabolize first consequently end up not exercising its role entirely and one of metabolizações is impaired. Since alcohol is often consumed in greater quantities, the liver tries to metabolize it first and not focus their activity in the drug metabolism, so it ends up reducing drug efficiency. But can not fully absorb the alcohol and part of it is circulating in the bloodstream longer, which enhances the drunken state, "said Gomes.
Alcohol may be the best known villain, but not the only one. Even a meal anyone can harm the optimal action of drugs. The efficiency of the active ingredients is impaired soon after eating, even in the absorption step, before you even start the metabolism process. "Some drugs require more acid environment such as the stomach to be absorbed with ease. Only after meals, the body produces gastric juice, which can make the site to eliminate the acid and other medical purposes. In addition, as the alcohol problem in the liver, foods share space with the drugs in the stomach, which ultimately delaying drug absorption, "explains Gomes.
Milk, in particular, can damage the effects of some drugs by another mechanism. Antibiotics made to the basic tetracycline, for example, should not be taken with alcohol, since this compound binds to and form agglomerations with calcium, very present in the foodstuff.
So, do not take medication close to mealtime?
Not quite. In fact, taking medicine on an empty stomach (at least one hour before meals or two hours after food) can ensure more rapid and complete absorption. But on the other hand, fasting facilitates gastrointestinal intolerance if the drug in question has very high acid content. Therefore, one should follow strictly the guidelines of the doctor and of the bull, because some medications should rightly be taken after meals.
But there are numerous reasons for a drug to be ingested at any given time. Those whose function is to eliminate fat have better results when consumed after meals, for example. Dr. Paul Aligiere, doctor of Popular Medicine SP Foundation, explains how the medicine should be administered depends on the chemical nature of the substance and can vary widely. "During the testing phase of a new drug, it is discovered that the best time to administer it, near or far from the meals in order to make the most of its absorption," he explains.
Regardless of the chemical nature, guidance remains: oral drugs should be taken with a full glass of water. Besides helping in the dissolution of the drug, facilitates the passage through the esophagus, preventing the medicine becomes stuck in the throat.
Other factors that compromise the drug efficiency
Not only are drinks and foods interfere with the absorption of drugs. The drug interaction may also compromise efficiency. As the name implies, this interaction is nothing more than a relationship between two drugs that were administered concomitantly. This mixture is not always effective and may increase or diminish the therapeutic effects of one or the other. Antacids, which are commonly taken together with drugs that irritate the stomach, for example, eventually reducing the effect of the drugs, because it reduces the absorption of active ingredient which generally have acidic pH.
Not all women know, but given along with antibiotics can cut the contraceptive effect of contraceptive. According Aligiere, antibiotics modify the intestinal flora and may interfere with the absorption and utilization of the hormonal components of the pills. "Whenever prescribing of these drugs to women of childbearing age, a woman should make preventing pregnancy for an additional method, besides the pill," he warns.
Some physical problems may also put into question the absorption of two medications taken concurrently. "People who have undergone bariatric surgery, for example, can not absorb large drug amount in the stomach. If you take two drugs at the same time, they will not have the effects quite enjoyed, "says Gomes.
It is always important to tell doctors about all the frequent use of drugs, especially contraceptives, which are so assimilated into daily life are often not considered continuous use drugs. Also remember to talk about chronic problems you have, so the professional can prescribe a remedy that does not interfere with other concomitant treatments.
Common Mistakes
When the gastric discomfort arises, it is common to resort to the use of effervescent fruit salt to relieve the discomfort. Generally, it is mixed in a glass of water, where it starts to bubble, and then is delivered to the patient. Only that not everyone expects the "bubble" cease to start eating. Rather, it is common to involve patients mistakenly gasification remedy to its action range. However, it is okay to wait for the fruit salt is fully dissolved in water, so it will be used entirely.
Errors when taking antibiotics that have fixed times for eating are also very common. According to Gomes, these mark the time duration of medication within the organism. At the end of each interval, they were completely absorbed or excreted. "When that period ends, they stop to take effect. To be effective, they must be taken at the same time and taught in each interval, ranging from 6h, 12h and 24h, depending on each product technology. Do not follow the schedule may even intensify the power of bacteria, "he adds.
A common medication from craze is the means to facilitate ingestion. "There are drugs which has its own division in compressed, indicating that can be broken down, for there is no compromise of drug dosage. But the remedies that do not have this division should not be cut in half. Some drugs are designed to dissolve slowly; logo, cutting them in half ends up hurting their effect. Not to mention that the correct dosage can be lost in the process of leaving, "explains Aligieri. And no leaving the remedies dissolving in the mouth. This can only be done if they are appropriate to do so. Otherwise, the medical effects end up lost.
Regarding creams and ointments, which are easily removed by clothing or by contact, the ideal is to leave them to be absorbed for 30 minutes before getting dressed or lying down to sleep (when there is risk of the region contacting the pillow or bed).
The recommendation for each drug are very diverse as the different aspects, so always make sure to follow guidelines from the doctor or the package leaflet to ensure maximum efficiency with treatment.
Source: Site Varella Varela
Our news are taken in full of our partner sites. For this reason, we can not change their content even in cases of typographical errors.
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.