Contents:
- Medical Video: A day in the life of a heroin addict
- The drug will interact with food
- Why are there rules for taking medicine after eating?
- Why are there rules for taking medication before eating?
Medical Video: A day in the life of a heroin addict
Drugs and food have a special connection. Not surprisingly, when you are given medication by a doctor, your doctor will definitely advise you to take the medicine before or after eating. This depends on the type of drug you are taking. Actually, what makes the rules for taking medicine like that?
The drug will interact with food
Medicines and food both enter your digestive system. When you eat, the organs and tissues in the body will carry out their functions to process your food in the digestive tract. More blood flow to the organ that is working to break down food, bile is released by the liver, and cells in the stomach wall release stomach acid to break down food. The process of the body in digesting this food is then there that can support and also hinder the work of the drug.
So, it's important for you to follow the instructions when you want to take medication. Drugs and food can react. To avoid drug and food reactions, we recommend:
- Follow your doctor's instructions on how to take the medication you should take
- Check the instructions for use on the drug packaging
- Follow the rules to avoid certain foods or drinks (if any)
- Take medication at the same time every day
- Take medicine with a glass of water
Why are there rules for taking medicine after eating?
Rules for taking medication with food or after eating means that you should take the medicine within 30 minutes after eating. Some drugs (for example aspirin and metformin) should be taken after meals to reduce side effects. Other drugs must be taken after eating because the drug works better if it is digested along with food.
Some reasons why many drugs you should take after eating are:
- Reducing side effects. Some drugs have side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. Therefore, it is better to take this medicine after eating in order to reduce side effects. Examples of these drugs are bromocriptine, allopurinol, and madopar. Other drugs also have to be taken after eating because they have side effects of stomach irritation, digestive disorders, and inflammation or gastric ulcers. These drugs are aspirin, ibuprofen (or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)), and steroid drugs.
- Supports drug work. For example, antacid drugs are used to prevent heartburn, reflux, and digestive disorders. This pain occurs because stomach acid is produced when food enters your stomach. Therefore, eating before taking medicine is an effective way.
- Ensure that the drug is absorbed by the body and not just wasted. Eating after taking medication can make some drugs come out of the body quickly. Some of these drugs, such as mouthwash, liquid nystatin, and miconazole gel for canker sores or mouth ulcers.
- Ensure the drug is absorbed in the bloodstream. Some drugs require food in the stomach and intestines so that the absorption of the drug goes well. Some examples of these drugs are HIV drugs.
- Helps the body digest food. Medications for diabetes usually have to be taken after meals so they can help the body reduce blood sugar levels after eating, and also to prevent hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Why are there rules for taking medication before eating?
Some drugs also have rules taken before eating, when your stomach is still empty. Of course, this is not without purpose. Some drugs must be taken before meals because they have reasons, such as:
- Food can inhibit the action of drugs. Some drugs may work can be hampered if there is food because the drug has the same path as the food to digest the body. Food can also cause some drugs to break down too quickly before the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream.
- Food can increase drug absorption. Certain drugs may be absorbed more when there is food in your body. This can then increase the risk of drug side effects that you can experience.
- Increasing the effectiveness of drug work. Some drugs may work better when your stomach is empty. Usually this drug is a drug that works directly on your stomach.
