Harvard University Health Services

Food and Drug Interactions

Medications are taken for a variety of health problems as well as health maintenance. Although many require a prescription from your Health Clinician, others you can buy over the counter at a pharmacy or health store. All medications can cause side effects and can interact with other drugs or foods.

To maximize the effectiveness of your medications and decrease its side effects, it is important to understand:
  • How to take your medications (e.g. with food, without food, at night, in morning)
  • Cautions with other medications
  • Specific interactions with foods

Tips to Improve the Safe Use of Medications
  • Make sure your Clinicians and Pharmacist are aware of all your medications
  • Get your prescriptions filled at same pharmacy
  • Understand how to take them before you leave the pharmacy
  • Keep a list of all your medications readily available
  • Keep out of reach of children
  • Clean out old and expired mediations

Life-threatening emergencies: call 911 or 9 911 (from campus)  |   Urgent care at HUHS: 617.495.5711

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Disclaimer: The information provided on our website is not intended to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease. It is meant to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between an individual and his/her clinician.