Contents:
- Medical Video: 6 Things You Should Never Do After Eating
- Why don't you always take medicine after eating?
- Why is there a suggestion to take medication after eating?
- 1. Prevent digestive problems due to drug side effects
- 2. The drug serves to treat digestive problems
- 3. Food makes the drug absorb more quickly into the blood
- 4. Helps the body in processing food
- Then, why is there a medicine that must be taken before eating?
Medical Video: 6 Things You Should Never Do After Eating
Have you ever been prescribed a medication by a doctor then recommended to take medication after eating and some other types of medicine taken before meals? Yes, it turns out not all drugs are taken after meals, there are also those that should be consumed when your stomach is empty. What is the difference between drugs that must be taken before and after eating? What determines when the drug should be taken?
Why don't you always take medicine after eating?
Drugs have different ways of working to overcome problems or disorders that exist in the body. The workings of these drugs depend on various factors, one of which is drug interactions with food. Food contains various nutrients that can affect the action of drugs in the body. The influence that arises can make the work of drugs become more effective or even hinder their work. So, this depends on the type of drug you are taking and how it works in the body.
Why is there a suggestion to take medication after eating?
If you are advised to take a medicine after a meal, this means that the drug works better when your stomach is filled with food. In addition, there are several reasons why you should take medication after eating:
1. Prevent digestive problems due to drug side effects
Some types of drugs have side effects to make the stomach irritated, inflamed, and even injured. Foods that previously entered the stomach will prevent these side effects from occurring. An empty stomach will be susceptible to injury due to the consumption of drugs that have a hard dose. The types of drugs that can cause this disorder are aspirin, NSAIDs (diclofenac, ibuprofen), steroid drugs (prednisolone and dexamethasone).
2. The drug serves to treat digestive problems
Antacid drugs are drugs that are usually given to people who experience digestive disorders such as nausea, heartburn and stomach acid. Therefore, the drug will more effectively work if taken after food enters the stomach.
3. Food makes the drug absorb more quickly into the blood
Taking medication before meals also aims to get the drug absorbed faster into the blood vessels. some types of drugs such as HIV drugs, need food assistance to increase absorption into the body so that the drug works more effectively.
4. Helps the body in processing food
The diabetics will usually be given drugs that have a main function to help digestion and food metabolism in the body. The drug will regulate and control blood sugar after meals - the amount is quite high if after mealtime. So, medicines for diabetics must be consumed after eating.
Then, why is there a medicine that must be taken before eating?
Even though you take medication more often after eating, it is not uncommon for doctors to give their patients drugs to take before eating. Most drugs that must be taken before meals, it cannot be absorbed properly into the blood if there is food in the stomach. Types of medication that must be taken before eating, namely:
- flucloxacillin
- phenoxymethylpenicillin (penicillin V)
- oxytetracycline
Some of the drugs mentioned have to be eaten for about an hour before you fill your stomach with food. Within one hour, the drug will be absorbed directly by the body and work effectively. Almost all drugs to treat osteoporosis must also be taken before meals, precisely when taken in the morning before breakfast. The following are the types of drugs:
- Alendronic acid, drink before 30 minutes before you drink and eat first time in the morning.
- Sodium clodronate, drink with a small amount of water and you should not drink or eat for an hour later.
- Disodium etidronate is recommended to be taken within 2 hours before and after meals.
