An  improper management of some of the interactions between diet and drugs may lead to therapeutic failure or cause serious adverse effects to the patients

Some Medications necessary for disease management can simultaneously leads to Drug- Nutrient Interaction.  Drugs can affect nutrition as a result of changes in appetite and taste as well as having an influence on absorption or metabolism of nutrients.

A CME was conducted in Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad in Collaboration with the Indian Dietetic Association on 26 June 2014 on Drug- Nutrient Interaction.

The Chef Guest were Lft Gen Dr. Mandeep Singh,  Dr .P.Janaki Srinath President IDA A.P.Chapter, Dr. K.Bhaskarachary senior scientist from NIN

The First Speaker Dr. Sanjeev Sharma (Clinical Pharmacologist, Apollo Hospital Jubilee hills, Hyderabad) gave an  overview on Drug- Nutrient Interaction, how nutrients and drugs could compete for the same substrate while getting absorbed and emphasised on the  common drug nutrient interactions in a hospital like warfarin and vitamin K, antibiotics and milk iron and calcium interactions etc

The Second Speaker Dr. A.V.Sharma (PhD in Pharmacology, Head Regulatory Affairs and R&D, Sanzyme Ltd) spoke about the Drug_ Nutrient Interaction in the Practical use and how simple over the counter medication like lomotil, or meftal spasm can also be lethal if taken on empty stomach or if taken without prior understanding of side effects. He gave examples of drug – nutrient interaction like ace inhibitors could cause high potassium levels diuretics and anti hypertensive can  increase blood sugars etc and also enlightened on drug herb interactions.

The Third Speaker Ms. D. Swetha Sri (Dietitian Apollo Hospitals) gave a Case study Presentation on Parkinson’s disease with regards to Nutrient- Drug Interaction. The Medicine Syndopa given to treat/ to control the Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease has a great interaction with the protein available in the Diet and it is recommended that the food and the Drug should not be given at the same time a minimum gap should be maintained between the food & the drug