Parents’ hot questions: Can this medicine be mixed with milk?

Can this medicine be mixed with milk?

"Is this medicine bitter? Can it be mixed with milk?" Window pharmacists often hear such questions. This is mainly because many medicines have a certain bitterness and special smell. Children refuse to take them, which troubles parents. So they often wonder if they can mix the medicine in milk to cover up the bitterness and special smell of the medicine. Little do people know that when milk is taken with some medicines at the same time, a thin film will form on the surface of the medicine and the gastric mucosa, thereby affecting the absorption of the medicine and even interacting with each other, resulting in reduced efficacy. In addition, milk contains more inorganic salts, such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, etc., which can easily react chemically with drugs to form stable chromium compounds or insoluble salts, affecting drug absorption.

Which medicines cannot be taken with milk?

1. Drugs containing calcium and zinc: The protein in milk can form clots with calcium and zinc preparations, which not only affects absorption but also increases the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

2. Iron-containing drugs: The phosphorus in milk can cause iron supplements to precipitate and affect absorption.

3. Antidiarrheal drugs: The lactose in milk can not only reduce the efficacy of antidiarrheal drugs, but also aggravate diarrhea symptoms.

4. Anti-tuberculosis drugs: The calcium ions in milk form a complex with isoniazid, which is not absorbed by the intestines and reduces the efficacy of the drugs.

5. Cardiotonic drugs: The calcium ions in milk can increase the toxicity of cardiotonic drugs such as digoxin and digitalis glycosides, and may even cause accidents.

6. Chinese patent medicine: The calcium, phosphorus and iron in milk can easily form insoluble products with the organic compounds in Chinese patent medicine. The protein in milk can also affect the absorption of the medicine.

Which medicines can be taken with milk?

Although many medicines are "incompatible" with milk, probiotic preparations can "coexist peacefully" with milk and will not affect the absorption of the medicine. In short, it is best to choose warm boiled water when taking medicine. Unless there are special reminders in the instructions and medication guide, do not choose milk!

References

[1] Wang Sudan. Which drugs cannot be taken with milk?[J]. Geriatric Medicine and Health Care, 2002, 8(2): 126.

[2] Song Haibo, et al. Food factors in adverse drug reactions[J]. Chinese Journal of Pharmacovigilance, 2014, 11(1): 35-38.