Quoting one such habit is taking the medicines along with milk. A lot of people, as well as doctors, think that it is feasible to do so because that might protect the patient from the "heat" of the medicines but the ground reality is a bit different. Let's find out why…

Composition of milk

Generally, cow's milk is composed of:

1. Water

2. Carbohydrates

3. Protein

4. Minerals & Vitamins

5. Enzymes

Mineral content is crucial

Taking the mineral content into account, milk is a good source of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and zinc. Many minerals in milk are associated together in the form of salts, such as calcium phosphate. In milk, approximately 67% of the calcium, 35% of the magnesium, and 44% of the phosphate are salts bound within the casein protein and the remainder are soluble in the serum phase.

Why milk is suggested to be taken

Due to milk's mineral content, it is basic in nature and neutralizes the acidic environment of the stomach, as a result of which the medicine does not irritate the gastric lining and therefore it is recommended by some doctors to those patients who have to complain of heartburn after taking the dose.

The reason why milk is not a good option to have medicines with

As seen, milk has a rich amount of calcium which is an important metal to make the human bones strong and dense but what calcium does to most of the medications is another level phenomenon. Calcium basically binds with the medication taken to form a strong bond (chelate) which inhibits the absorption of the drug from the gut, as a result, the drug gets wasted and the intended effect cannot be attained.

Medications contraindicated with milk:

Antibiotic class TETRACYCLINES are believed to have a strong drug interaction with the dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt which have high calcium content.

Friendly advice from the pharmacist:

Try to take all your medications with water of moderate temperature preferably room temperature, cold water intake is discouraged.