All drinks are not equal when it comes to taking your medications. A study in the Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal found that consuming common over-the-counter medications with Coca-Cola increased the medications’ disintegration time. The study had patients take five immediate-release drugs with several drinks, including cola. The cola increases the disintegration of four out of five of them. The researchers concluded that patients shouldn’t take medications with anything but water.
Additionally, a study of cola-containing drinks published in Clinical Nutrition demonstrated how cola can interact with drug absorption, metabolism, and excretion. For example, the serum concentrations of several medications, including ibuprofen, increased with cola consumption. The study also noted that the increase created by these drinks could produce a toxic combination. Therefore, the researchers recommended letting your doctor know when you drink soda along with your medications any time you have an adverse reaction.
Allergic reactions are part of the toxic effect. According to Better Health Channel, allergic reactions to medications are more common with antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Symptoms of an allergic reaction include swelling of the lips and face, hives, tingling in the mouth, and abdominal pain.