As a pharmacy student, I recently learned that the method of taking the medicine matters as much as the medicine being taken. So here’s a list of some methods that should be followed with the reasoning:
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Taking the medicine with milk instead of water - some medicines can disturb the lining of the stomach. A buffer like milk (or food )prevents stomach ulcers. eg. - NSAIDs like ibuprofen. Another reason can be the presence of fat soluble vitamins in the drug. The fat in milk can help in better absorption of these substances. eg. - vitamins A,D,K,E etc.
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Do not take milk or milk derivatives - Some drugs contain compounds that bind with the calcium present in milk, curd, cheese etc. to form “chelates". These new structures formed are difficult to digest and metabolise and thus cause ineffective or incomplete absorption of drug. eg. - iron supplements, tetracycline
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Take on an empty stomach - Some medicines need a highly acidic environment to dissolve fully. Food can interfere with that environment. eg. - thyroid hormones. Some drugs bind to the food particles and result in a physical barrier in the digestive tract. This makes the drug difficult to absorb.
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Take on a full stomach - Many drugs can cause nausea or vomiting when taken on empty stomach, so food helps dilute the drugs . Some medicines are eaten when substances like hydrochloric acid and bile are being released into the tract. These substances help in the active metabolisation of these drugs. eg. - ketoconazole (anti fungal).
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Do not crush or chew the tablet - Some medicines are formulated to be an extended release tablet, or be enteric coated. These medicines if crushed or chewed will result in the drug hitting the system suddenly in large dose, which can be lethal.
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Take with full glass of water - Some medicines can irritate the lining of the esophagus if stuck. Water helps push them down into the stomach thus ensuring that they do not dissolve in the way and preventing burns or ulcers.
A medicine doesn’t work in isolation—the way we take it can affect how well it works.
We’ve all heard these instructions—but how many of us actually knew why?
Which one did you learn the reason behind only now?
MBH/PS