Halloween may bring an abundance of sweets and chocolate, but a few of these treats could carry health risks that have nothing to do with sugar. Mixing certain confectionery with prescription medication can cause unexpected side effects, especially for people being treated for depression, anxiety, or heart conditions. Kiran Jones, a Clinical Pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy, explained which medicines could be affected, ranging from stronger adverse reactions to reduced drug effectiveness, and what ingredients should be avoided.Avoid Halloween Sweets If You Are on MedicationWhile enjoying Halloween treats in moderation is harmless for most people, those taking regular medication should be cautious. Some common ingredients in candies, especially artificial sweeteners, caffeine, liquorice, and food coloring can interfere with how medicines work. Even small amounts can alter absorption, increase side effects, or counteract the intended effect of the drug.Depression, Anxiety and Parkinson’s MedicationsArtificial sweeteners such as aspartame can interfere with neurotransmitters affected by Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs). These medicines are prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, and Parkinson’s disease by preventing the breakdown of neurotransmitters in the brain.When combined with aspartame, these drugs can lead to an excessive build-up of neurotransmitters, resulting in high blood pressure, headaches, nervousness, or trouble sleeping.Jones explained, “People taking these medications should avoid or limit foods containing aspartame to prevent these potentially serious reactions.”ADHD, Anti-Anxiety and Blood Pressure MedicationsSugar-free sweets, diet drinks, and low-calorie snacks often contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, while caffeine is commonly found in chocolate and coffee-flavoured candies. For those on ADHD medication, anti-anxiety pills, or blood pressure drugs, caffeine can significantly alter how the medicine behaves.It can heighten the stimulant effects of drugs such as Adderall while weakening the calming impact of SSRIs. Similarly, caffeine may counteract beta-blockers used for blood pressure control by raising heart rate and blood pressure. This interaction can cause symptoms like palpitations, restlessness, poor sleep, and in severe cases, an increased risk of stroke or heart attack.Blood Pressure, Diuretics and Antiarrhythmics MedicationsPeople taking medication for blood pressure, water retention, or irregular heart rhythms should be cautious with liquorice sweets. Liquorice contains glycyrrhizin, a compound that reduces potassium levels and increases sodium retention in the body, which can lead to higher blood pressure and fluid retention.This effect directly interferes with blood pressure and heart medications, making them less effective and potentially causing uncontrolled hypertension. Regular or excessive consumption could also worsen heart rhythm problems.Allergy MedicationsThose taking antihistamines for allergies should watch out for colourful candies like M&Ms or Skittles. Artificial food dyes in such sweets can trigger the release of histamines—the same compounds antihistamines are meant to block.This can weaken the effectiveness of the medication and, for sensitive individuals, cause allergic responses such as itching, hives, or swelling. Even if the reaction is mild, repeated exposure can reduce the benefit of the medicine over time.
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