(HealthDay News) — Many common medications interact with food, causing side effects or changing the way the medications work.

The American Academy of Family Physicians advises:

• Read the medication’s label before you take the drug. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about anything you don’t understand.
• Read interaction precautions, instructions and warnings on medication labels, both over-the-counter and prescription.
• Drink a full glass of water when you take medications, unless your doctor gives you other instructions.
• Unless your doctor tells you to do so, don’t break apart medication pills or capsules, or mix medications with food or hot drinks.
• Do not take medications at the same time that you take vitamins or supplements.
• Don’t take medications with alcohol.

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