If you are taking any prescription medication, there are some common food and drug combinations you should know to avoid. Often the combination of consuming a food and taking a medication can cause an unwanted result, many times lowering the effectiveness of the drug. Be sure to always consult with your doctor on whether you should abstain from specific foods while taking a prescription medication.

Here are a few of the most common and risky combinations:

MAO Inhibitors (a class of antidepressants) when taken with aged foods such as cheese, fermented foods such as yogurt, pickled foods including pickled herring, smoked meats, chocolate or caffeine containing foods like candybars and coffee may cause a sudden and unexpected rise in blood pressure.

Digoxin, which is used to control heart troubles, when combined with bran fiber which can be found in many cereals and breads may cause the the drugs effectiveness to weaken.

Some calcium channel blockers used for chest pain and high blood pressure when combined with grapefruit in whole or juice form, may give the user a feeling of dizziness, cause fainting or

light-headedness.

If you do accidentally ingest these substances together, don’t be alarmed. Unless you have taken large amounts, the interaction is dangerous but rarely fatal. Still, it would be wise to alert your doctor so that possible averse affects can be noted in your medical record, and your doseage may need to be adjusted to compensate for the interaction. As always, it is best to contact your physician or pharmacist if you have questions about your prescription medication.