Food Interactions with Arthritis Medications

Your doctor has undoubtedly warned you about the hazards of side effects from your medications. However, an often overlooked side effect is the effect of medication on your nutrient status.

Here are some common problems that can result and the simple solutions.

Problem:  Some antacids can have high levels of sodium, calcium and magnesium. Too much calcium may cause kidney stones and can interfere with your body’s use of other important minerals such as iron and zinc. It can also cause a dangerous condition called hypercalcemia, which can damage kidney function. Excess magnesium can trigger diarrhea.

Solution:  Talk it over with your doctor. Based on your medical history, she will know whether you need to modify your intake of antacids or perhaps have your blood tested to see if they are causing problems.

Problem: Antacids with aluminum or magnesium hydroxide may lower your level of phosphorus, which your body needs to make use of its calcium.

Solution: Choose another antacid or include lean meat and poultry in your diet for an adequate phosphorus supply.

Problem: Corticosteroids may cause you to lose potassium, absorb less vitamin D, and retain sodium. Potassium and vitamin D are both crucial nutrients.

Solution: Good sources of potassium include prune juice, carrot juice, orange juice, baked potatoes, avocados, bananas, clams, nonfat yogurt and many raw fruits and vegetables. You can get vitamin D in enriched milk, tuna and salmon and through exposure to sunlight. Decrease your salt intake to help compensate for the retained sodium.

Problem: Colchicine, a gout medication, can affect how vitamin B12 is absorbed.

Solution: You can enjoy a boost of B12 in tuna, oysters, and beef (lean, of course).

Problem: Methotrexate, a common treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, may interfere with your body’s use of folic acid, an important nutrient. This, in turn, can contribute to methotrexate toxicity, which can damage your liver.

Solution: Your doctor will routinely prescribe folic acid supplements if you’re on methotrexate, but you can also find folic acid in wheat germ, liver, oranges, orange juice, eggs, milk, navy and lima beans, spinach, asparagus and broccoli.

Problem: Grapefruit juice has been found to have a major effect on the body’s absorption of several medicines, including cyclosporin for rheumatoid arthritis.

Solution: Ask your doctor whether any of your medications are affected by grapefruit juice. If the answer is yes, switch to orange juice. Better yet, get your nutrients from whole fruit.

Last Updated: 8/23/2002
The Johns Hopkins University 1996-2003.  All rights reserved.  This information is not intended to provide advice on personal medical matters, nor is it intended to be a substitute for consultation.