Drug and nutrition interactions: not just food for thought

The management of drug-drug interactions - from recognition of the interaction potential, to addressing the negative consequences - are well-recognized and avoided, or rapidly addressed when identified clinically. Drug-nutrition interactions are no less important than drug-drug interactions in patient care. Unfortunately, beyond those caused by food, these interactions are less commonly recognized or identified and managed. This article will re-introduce the topic of drug-nutrition interactions to clinicians.

Although many clinicians are acutely aware of and vigilant for potential drug-drug interactions, most are less aware of the possibility of drug-nutrition interactions beyond classic food-drug interactions. Interaction can occur between a drug and a nutrient, multiple nutrients, food in general, specific foods or components, or nutrition status. An interaction is considered clinically significant if it alters therapeutic drug response and/or compromises nutrition status. Mechanistically the interactions may be physicochemical reactions, actions at membrane transporters or metabolizing enzymes, or an influence on physiologic function. Appreciating the many types of drug-nutrition interactions will aid the clinician and have the potential to influence patient outcome.

Ongoing advances in knowledge about drug and nutrition interactions have potential to improve patient care. Drug-nutrition interactions need to be better recognized, understood on a mechanistic basis, predicted, and managed as necessary.