drugfood

Drugfood is a term used to describe the interaction between dietary components and pharmaceutical drugs, covering both food–drug interactions that alter how a medication is absorbed, metabolized, or excreted, and the broader idea of foods that contain or influence pharmacologically active compounds. While not uniformly standardized in medical literature, the concept highlights how diet can modulate drug response and how some foods are studied for potential therapeutic or nutraceutical effects.

Mechanisms of interaction include changes in gastric pH, gastric emptying, and drug solubility that affect absorption; modulation of drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters (for example, grapefruit juice can inhibit intestinal CYP3A4 and alter drug exposure); and binding or chelation of drugs in the gut by minerals such as calcium or iron, which can reduce the absorption of certain antibiotics. Diet can also influence drug distribution and excretion indirectly through hydration status or electrolyte balance.

Common examples include grapefruit juice increasing exposure to some statins and other CYP3A4 substrates; consistent intake of vitamin K–rich foods affecting the anticoagulant effect of warfarin; and the reduced absorption of tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones when taken with dairy products or antacids due to chelation. High-fat meals can increase the absorption of certain lipophilic drugs, potentially enhancing effects or side effects.

Clinical implications emphasize consistent dietary patterns, patient counseling, and consulting drug labeling or clinicians about potential interactions. Research in drugfood also encompasses functional foods and nutraceuticals, aiming to understand how diet can support or complicate pharmacotherapy.