Shefali Jariwala death: Experts warn of risks from taking medicines on empty stomach

Actor Shefali Jariwala, who passed away on the night of June 27, was taking different types of medicines, including anti-ageing tablets, and her blood pressure had dropped possibly from consuming these on an empty stomach before she was rushed to hospital, police officials probing her death said on Monday.

Jariwala (42), who shot to fame with her breakout appearance in the remix track Kaanta Laga and also appeared on several reality shows, was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Andheri by her actor husband Parag Tyagi at 11:15pm on Friday, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Police was informed at 1am on Saturday and her body was sent for post mortem to Cooper Hospital.

She was fasting on Friday due to a puja at her home, and consuming various medicines on an empty stomach may have caused her blood pressure to drop, leading to her falling to the ground, a police official said. She had taken an injection that afternoon, possibly for anti-ageing, and also had her usual dose of pills in the night, the official added.

"Her blood pressure dropped drastically and she began shivering, following which family members rushed her to hospital," he added.

In an interview with Vickey Lalwani, Shefali's fried Pooja Ghai said, “On that day, she did take the vitamin C IV drip, but it’s a very normal thing to take a Vitamin C. We all take vitamin C. Post-Covid people have started taking vitamin C regularly. Some people just pop in a tablet, and some people take it through an IV drip. She did take an IV drip on that day.”

Pooja further said, “I am not sure about that, but the only thing that I saw was that while I was standing there the police called for the guy who gave the drip just to check what medicine she was taking, and that’s when it unfolded that she had taken an IV drip that day.”

While the case is still being investigated, medical experts raise concerns about taking medicines on an empty stomach.

Quoting a medical professional, The Indian Express report said that if medicines are consumed empty stomach, without having proper food, it can lead to side effects such as dizziness, low blood pressure, fainting and even cardiac arrest, especially when it comes to heart medications or antihypertensives.

Quoting another doctor, the report stated that medicines, when taken on an empty stomach, are absorbed more rapidly, which can lead to sudden and unpredictable effects on the body.

Although some medicines are meant to be taken empty stomach for better absorption in the body, one should always follow the doctor’s instructions regarding the timing of food and medication.

Moreover, a professional help should always be sought before starting any medication, especially if they are fasting or undergoing cosmetic or wellness treatments, the report added as mentioned by the medical professional.

The Amboli police has so far recorded statements of 10 persons, including her husband, parents as well as house-help, all of whom were present at home at the time, though nothing suspicious has been found so far, the official said.

As part of the probe, a police team along with forensic sciences experts had visited her house and collected samples of several items, including her medicines and the injection, he said.

An accidental death report has been registered in connection with her death and further probe is underway, the official said, adding the post mortem report was awaited.

(With PTI inputs)