Why Must Some Medicines Be Taken Before or After Food?
Why must some medicines be taken before food?
There are several reasons why some medicines must be taken before food.
One reason is to help increase the absorption of the medication into the bloodstream. When taken on an empty stomach, some medications are able to enter the bloodstream faster. Allowing them to work more effectively. Food can affect the absorption of certain medications by slowing down the process or interfering with the chemical reactions that occur in the gut.
For example, oral thyroid medications, such as levothyroxine, recommend to be taken on an empty stomach so that the absorption is optimum for the drug to be effective. When co-administered with food, absorption is reduced, compared with absorption on an empty stomach. Similarly, some oral antidiabetic drugs, such as the newer GLP-I receptor agonist semaglutide, should be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before the first food, drink, or medication of the day, with plain water only, to ensure optimum absorption.
Another reason is to avoid any interactions with food.
Certain medications can interact with food, คาสิโนออนไลน์ UFABET ฝากถอนรวดเร็ว เริ่มต้นเล่นง่าย leading to decreased effectiveness or potential side effects. Taking these medications on an empty stomach helps to minimise these interactions and ensures that the medication is not compromised by food components, such as minerals, fibres, or fats, which may bind to the drug and reduce its absorption or alter its effects.
For example, some antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and doxycycline should not be taken together with dairy products like milk, yoghurt or cheese.
Why must some medicines taken after food?
On the other hand, some medicines are recommended to be taken after food.
One reason for this is increased tolerance. Some medications can cause stomach irritation or gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or an upset stomach. Taking these medications after food can help to buffer the stomach lining and reduce the risk of these side effects.
For example, taking iron supplements, and medicines like allopurinol (used to prevent gout attacks), after food can help reduce the risk of nausea or vomiting, which is a common side effect of these medicines. Similarly, aspirin can cause gastrointestinal intolerance issues (GI irritation). When taken on an empty stomach. Which is why it is recommend to take it after a meal.
Another reason is enhance absorption. For some medications.
Taking them with food can actually enhance their absorption. Food can help to slow down the movement of medication through the gastrointestinal tract. Allowing for more effective absorption and distribution of the medication in the body. This is particularly true for certain lipid-soluble medications that require the presence of dietary fats for optimal absorption. Examples of such medicines are anti-malarial and anti-parasitic medications.