Dangers Of Mixing Some Common Drinks, Meds

Most people know drinking alcoholic beverages can be risky if you're taking certain anti-depressants or pain relievers.

But many don't know that consuming some everyday drinks, such as coffee, tea, milk, and orange juice, is potentially troublesome if you're on some common medications.

Lisa Freeman, Editor in Chief of ShopSmart Magazine, sorted it all out for Early Show viewers Wednesday.

The drinks/drugs mixes could prove troublesome because compounds in the drinks interact with the medicines, or interfere with the enzymes in your body that would break down and process the pharmaceuticals.

The breakdown:

COFFEE

DON'T DRINK IT WITH: Osteoporosis drugs Alendronate, Fosamax
THE RISK: Sharply reduced bone-building effect

COFFEE AND TEA
DON'T DRINK THEM WITH: Antidepressants Isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate)
THE RISK: High blood pressure

GRAPE JUICE
DON'T DRINK IT WITH: Antidepressant Doxepin, oral solution Sinequan
THE RISK: Reduced control of depression

GRAPEFRUIT JUICE
DON'T DRINK IT WITH: Sedatives, including benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium) and triazolam (Halcion)
THE RISKS: Confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and other side effects
ALSO DON'T DRINK IT WITH: Cough suppressant Dextromethorphan (Benylin, Pertussin, Robitussin)
THE RISKS: Dizziness, drowsiness, and restlessness

ORANGE JUICE
DON'T DRINK IT WITH: antihistamines Fexofenadine, Allegra
THE RISK: Less allergy control

MILK
DON'T DRINK IT WITH: Laxatives Bisacodyl, Dulcolax
THE RISK: Gastrointestinal irritation

SOY MILK
DON'T DRINK IT WITH: Cancer drugs Tamoxifen, Nolvadex
THE RISK: Reduced tumor-fighting effect

Freeman stressed the importance of reading the labels on medications before taking them, pointing out that a lot of medications have warnings on what not to drink them with.

Many people take their meds with coffee or milk -- that's not a good idea. Take them with water.