The complete breakdown of oral solid dosage forms is necessary for the medicine to achieve a reliable clinical performance of the drug.

While tablets/capsules are recommended to be taken with a full glass of water, many patients disregard this advice and instead take their prescriptions with other beverages.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of various regularly consumed beverages on the disintegration times of common over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical tablets and capsules.

The findings of a new study, published in the scientific journal Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, emphasize how important it is to do exactly what the directions of drug manufacturers suggest. As part of the research, the experts analyzed the effect of various beverages on the intake of oral solid dosed drugs, that is, pills, capsules or tablets.

The scientists analyzed the interaction of various beverages with five over-the-counter medications indicated to relieve pain, inflammation, or allergies. Their conclusion was that “the tested beverages should not be used as substitutes for water when ingesting medications.” 

Five immediate release OTC drugs were chosen: Fevadol®, Solpadeine®, Ralaxon®, Artiz ®, and Brufen®.

They are:

Coffee

In addition to containing caffeine, which could potentially result in drug interactions with drugs, the study suggests that coffee and other hot beverages can change a drug’s chemistry and disintegration time.

The drink can cause the pills to dissolve earlier than they should, which will affect their being absorbed into the body in the desired way. This could affect how well the medicine works in relieving symptoms and potentially cause other problems.

Orange juice

Orange juice, a drink that people often turn to when they feel unwell, should also not be drunk with the remedies. Research showed that this is one of the main beverages that affects the release time of paracetamol-based drugs.

Coca Cola

The research revealed that soft drinks, particularly Coca-Cola, can affect the disintegration time of most of the drugs tested. The soda alone did not impact the absorption of the allergy drug.

Energy drinks

The team also analyzed the effects of energetics in the intake of the pills. According to experts, this drink should not be used to replace water when taking a medicine. What’s more, they highlighted the need to alert the public to the dangers of drug and beverage interactions like these.

Buttermilk

Buttermilk, also called buttermilk, may not be one of the most common beverages in Western homes, but scientists also looked at its effect on drug intake.

The research showed that this – and probably other dairy drinks in general – are not recommended to take with drugs.

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