Can exercise alter the effects of prescription medication?

Regular physical activity over time can change the body's reactions to certain medications. For example, the body's sensitivity to insulin increases with activity, so if you're taking medication for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), you may find your need for it will decrease. Exercise may increase your sensitivity to some psychoactive medications -- antidepressants or tranquilizers. And if you're taking medication for high blood pressure, you may find that with regular exercise, your need for the drug will decline over time.

Yes, exercise can alter the effects of certain prescription medications, and certain prescription medications can affect exercise intensity and the effects of exercise. Certain medications can alter your resting and maximal heart rate, your ability to contract your muscles, to sweat, and affect your metabolic rate. If you are currently on any prescribed medications, consult your primary medical care provider before starting or modifying your current exercise program.

Exercise affects our body in that it:

• balances blood sugar by making the body more sensitive to insulin
• increases feel good brain neurotransmitters and relieves stress (which affects how your body absorbs, digests, assimilates nutrients, modulate inflammation)
• help the body rid of waste by affecting sweating, lymph, and bowel movements
• helps heart beat stronger, decreases blood pressure (stimulates nitric oxide, a powerful chemical that dilates vessels)
• increases libido and balances hormones because of its effect on stress and insulin
• increases liver detoxification and affects how your body detoxifies (this is especially important related to meds, as it raises glutathione, a high antioxidant)

Therefore, any medication that affects the above should be monitored.