You might find that some prescriptions say they should be taken after the meal or before meals.
If you take some drugs without eating, they can cause your stomach to become stagnant and not get stimulated. The lining of the stomach can be irritated by numerous types of medicines taken for your health.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen and aspirin for example may damage the stomach’s protective layer and cause nausea or ulcers.
Digestion can make the absorption of some medicines more efficient.
When you eat your stomach does a lot of work to break down food. It releases helpers like acids and enzymes that can also break down some medicines. This helps these medicines get into your bloodstream and start working
Sometimes eating can actually slow down how fast your body absorbs medicines. This can be a thing because it can help reduce bad side effects like feeling sick to your stomach or having your blood sugar drop too low. For example if you have diabetes and you take metformin your doctor will probably tell you to take it with food. This helps your body get used to the medicine.
Taking your medicines with food can be really helpful. It can protect your stomach from getting hurt help your body absorb the medicine better and make sure you get the results from your treatment.
That is why it is very important to take your medicines when your doctor tells you to. Following the instructions, is a part of making sure your treatment works well.
If food can change how medicines work in the body, how many people might be unknowingly reducing their medicine’s effectiveness just by taking it at the wrong time?
MBH/PS