A Popular Mineral Water Can Disrupt Medication in Just Five Minutes

How Beverages Affect Drug Release

According to НВ — Техно: A study published in the journal Pharmaceutics examined 22 different drinks to see how they influence the release of active ingredients from tablets with gastro-resistant coatings. The findings revealed that the alkaline mineral water Salvus triggered the premature release of over 90% of the active pharmaceutical ingredients within just five minutes of tablet immersion. Similarly, other alkaline mineral waters-including Peridot, Parádi, and Hunyadi-showed comparable effects after soaking periods of 15 and 30 minutes.

Medication Analysis and Recommendations

The research analyzed 103 medications with gastro-resistant coatings. It found that only 8.7% of them provided clear instructions about which liquid to use when taking the pills. In 42 summary product characteristics, no specific recommendations were given. 21 medications simply advised taking them with water without further detail, while among the 9 drugs that did include specific guidance, all 9 were found to be manipulated.

With one of the alkaline mineral waters, more than 90% of the drug was released after just five minutes of soaking. And the fact that patients who most often open capsules-older adults and those with swallowing difficulties-are frequently the same people who drink this alkaline water turns this into a real safety issue, not just a lab curiosity.

- Nikolett Kallai-Szabo, study author

Opel Baker, another author of the study, added: 'It is interesting to see how drinks that people often perceive as beneficial or harmless can still interact with medications. Many patients know that grapefruit juice affects certain drugs-but few realize that mineral waters, fruit juices, protein shakes, or herbal teas can also impact the stability or absorption of medicines.'

These results highlight the need for careful consideration when choosing liquids to take with medication, as this can significantly affect their effectiveness. Legal disclaimers note that this article provides general reference information and should not replace a doctor's advice. NV is not responsible for any diagnosis readers may make based on the site's content. If you have health concerns, consult a physician.

This study challenges common assumptions about the safety of certain beverages when taking medication. While it is known that food-drug interactions can affect efficacy, these findings show that even mineral waters-often seen as innocuous-can lead to serious consequences. The importance of this issue grows, especially for vulnerable groups like the elderly, who may not be aware of the risks linked to their choice of drink when consuming medicine.

As the study highlights the unexpected interactions between beverages and medications, it’s essential to consider other factors that may affect health. For instance, recent findings indicate that menthol vaping can lead to increased blood pressure and heart rate, further complicating the landscape of substance interactions. Understanding these relationships is crucial for making informed health choices.