Some medications must be taken during or after meals. Failure to do so may cause gastrointestinal distress or reduce the effectiveness of the medication.
Meanwhile, some medications must be taken before meals or the medication will not be effective.
For medications that must be taken on an empty stomach for full absorption, patients should choose appropriate times of day: before breakfast or choose mid-morning, mid-afternoon or before bedtime.
Patients who do not comply with the instructions for taking the medication a few times may not affect the effectiveness of the medication. However, if this happens frequently, the medication will not be effective.
Is it okay to take the medication before, with or after meals?
Some medications have therapeutic effects that are not affected by the time of taking the medication, so they can be taken before, with or after meals. However, patients should fix a certain time to take the medication to make it easier to remember to take the medication. However, some drugs have different effects when taken at different times compared to meals. For these drugs, patients need to take them according to the instructions of the doctor, pharmacist or the manufacturer’s instructions.
Which drugs should be taken WITH or AFTER meals?
There are 6 reasons why you should take drugs with or after meals
- Drugs that can cause nausea or vomiting.
- Irritant drugs.
- Drugs used to treat diseases of the mouth or throat.
- Drugs that are better absorbed when taken with food.
- Some drugs to treat diabetes.
- Antacids used in patients with digestive disorders related to meals.
Below is a detailed analysis of each of the above reasons:
Drugs that can cause nausea or vomiting
These drugs should be taken after meals to limit the unwanted effects of nausea or vomiting of the drug. Including: Allopurinol (to treat gout), Metformine (to treat diabetes).
Irritant drugs
These drugs can cause digestive disorders such as indigestion, inflammation or ulcers of the digestive tract. Although it is more appropriate to take the drug with meals, it can also be taken with some biscuits, bread, or milk. Including: pain relievers – anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin, NSAID group (diclofenac, ibuprofen, …), Corticoids (prednisolone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone).
Drugs used to treat mouth or throat diseases
Drugs used to clean the mouth, treat oral thrush (nystatin liquid, miconazole gel) and treat mouth ulcers should be taken after meals. If these drugs are taken before meals, they will be quickly washed away by food and lose their effect.
Drugs absorbed better with food
Some drugs need food in the stomach to be absorbed better into the blood.
For example, HIV medications: ritonavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir. Fat-soluble medications such as vitamins A, D, E, K, and the antifungal antibiotic griseofulvin should be taken with meals (either before or after) so that the fat in food and drink can help the medication absorb better.
Some diabetes medications
These medications are often taken with meals to help reduce the occurrence of high blood glucose after meals and avoid excessive drops in blood glucose levels that occur immediately afterward. However, different diabetes medications have different times of taking the medication relative to meals. Therefore, patients should find detailed instructions on how to use them on the patient instructions or consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Antacids for patients with digestive symptoms related to meals
Excessive stomach acid secretion in the presence of food can cause indigestion or heartburn, taking antacids such as aluminum hydroxide or magnesium hydroxide immediately after or between meals can relieve these symptoms.
Which drugs should be taken on an EMPTY (HUNGRY) STOMACH?
Most drugs must be taken on an empty stomach because the drugs are not absorbed into the blood well when there is food. Some common drugs in this group are: Flucloxacillin, Phenoxymethylpenicillin (Penicillin V), Oxytetracycline.
When used one hour before eating, these drugs will be absorbed before food is consumed. Failure to comply with the drug will not be effective, so patients should be encouraged to strictly follow the instructions for use.
Some drugs in the biphosphate group used in the treatment of osteoporosis are a special case. Even a very small amount of food can seriously affect the effectiveness of the drug. Including drugs: Alendronic acid, Sodium clodronate, Etidorat disodium, Ibandronic acid, Sodium risedronate, Tiludronic acid. Biphosphate drugs should not be taken before going to bed. In general, these drugs should be used in the morning before breakfast according to the instructions below:
Some drugs work directly in the digestive tract, so they will not have a therapeutic effect if taken after eating. For example, sucrafat used to coat ulcers must be taken at least 1 hour before eating. If taken during or after eating, the drug will coat the food instead of the ulcer, leading to no therapeutic effect.
Mebeverine is used to reduce intestinal spasms related to meals. The drug should be taken 20 minutes before eating to ensure
The drug takes effect before food reaches the intestine.
Similarly, sodium cromoglicate capsules are used before meals to minimize the allergic effects of eating certain foods.
For drugs that are required to be taken on an empty stomach for maximum absorption, patients should choose appropriate times of the day that are convenient for use.
Drugs that are taken once a day, on an empty stomach, are best taken before breakfast or mid-morning, mid-afternoon or before bedtime. Bisphophanates should not be taken before bedtime.
