5 top tips from MHRA to stay safe during the festive season

Some food and drinks that are often associated with Christmas may interact with your medicine and increase risk of experiencing side effects

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned people taking medicines or using medical devices not to let their guard down during the busy festive season.

For those using medical products, the health regulator has also shared five top tips to help them keep well and stay safe over Christmas and New Year period.

It has cautioned people that some festive food products like cranberries, brussels sprouts and alcohol can interact with their medicines, and alter their effects or increase the risk of side effects.

The MHRA has advised people to use painkillers safely, and to be aware of dodgy diet products and fake medicines, which can lead to serious health risks.

Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA said, “For many people, the festive season is a time for coming together, creating treasured memories, and sharing traditions. But with all the busyness at this time of year, it’s important not to let being safe fall off your To Do List, particularly when it comes to using medical products.

“These top tips will stand you in good stead anytime of the year too.”

1. Be aware of food and drinks that interact with your medicine

Patients who are taking warfarin to prevent and treat blood clots are advised to avoid consuming cranberry products or drink cranberry juice, as this might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

They should also avoid eating too much brussels sprouts, broccoli and green leafy Christmas vegetables, as these foods contain a lot of vitamin K, a chemical the body uses to promote blood clotting. This can counteract the effects of warfarin and can make it less effective.

Do not completely remove vitamin K-rich foods from their diet! The expert suggested that you should eat similar amounts of these foods regularly so that the level of vitamin K in your blood stays fairly constant and your blood monitoring level stays stable.

If you’re taking antibiotics, it is advisable to stay away from alcohol. Drinking alcohol may worsen the side effects of antibiotics, such as feeling sick or dizzy, the MRHA has warned.

It may not be safe to drink grapefruit juice if you’re taking simvastatin for lowering cholesterol, or medicines for treatment of cancers, as it can make side effects more likely.

How to check if your medicine could cause interactions? Read Patient Information Leaflet that comes with the medicine, or ask your pharmacist or GP for advice, the regulator said.

2) Too much painkillers can be dangerous

Always check the dosage instructions while taking analgesics (paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen) for winter colds, flu and COVID-19 over the festive season. Taking too much painkillers can be dangerous and you may need treatment, for example, excessive paracetamol intake can cause liver damage, the MHRA has warned.

3) Do not get tempted to dodgy diet products

If weight loss is your New Year’s resolution, don’t get lured into a quick fix offered by fake, potentially harmful dodgy diet pills or weight loss pens available online.

Recently, the UK government had warned people against buying pre-filled pens claiming to contain Ozempic (semaglutide) or Saxenda (liraglutide), and to use such medicines only where they’ve been prescribed by a qualified healthcare professional and with a prescription.

One should be careful when buying medicines online, as fake medicines and medical devices bought online can lead to serious health risks.

4. Certain medicines may impair driving

So, people taking medicines are advised to check the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) supplied with their medicine before getting behind the wheel to drive home for Christmas or hit the roads to see family and friends during the festive season.

“Do not drive if you feel drowsy, dizzy, unable to concentrate or make decisions, or if you have blurred or double vision,” said the MHRA, while also reminding people that it’s against the law to drive if your driving ability is impaired by any medicine.

5. Report side effects and adverse incidents to the MHRA

Suspected medicine side effects and adverse incidents from medical devices should be reported to the MHRA’s Yellow Card scheme. This helps improve the safety of medicines and medical devices for everyone, the agency added.