MEDICATION WITH OR WITHOUT FOOD: DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

Have you ever received guidance from your pharmacist regarding the necessity of taking a particular medication on an empty stomach or, conversely, with food? Let’s delve into the impact of food on your treatment.

When you ingest a pill, it embarks on a journey, first descending into your stomach and then progressing through your intestines. Along this path, it gradually releases its active ingredient, allowing absorption to occur through the intestinal wall (or occasionally the stomach). Subsequently, the active ingredient enters the bloodstream and is transported to its designated site of action.

TAKING MEDICATION ON AN EMPTY STOMACH

On occasion, the presence of food in the digestive system can disrupt the absorption of specific medications. For instance, in certain medications, a portion of the active ingredient may become “adhered” to the food, impeding its absorption. Consequently, the quantity of medicine that effectively enters the bloodstream may be insufficient for the treatment to yield full effectiveness. In such instances, your pharmacist will advise you to take the medication on an empty stomach, typically 30 to 60 minutes before a meal, or at least two hours after eating.

For further insights into how food can impact the absorption of particular medications, refer to the article titled “5 Food Categories That Can Interact With Your Medication.”

TAKING MEDICATION WITH FOOD

When your pharmacist recommends you take your medication with food, it is often because food helps minimize certain side effects of those medications. For example, food helps protect the stomach from the irritating effects of certain pain medications like ibuprofen and naproxen (pain killers).

Less commonly, some other medicines may need to be taken with food to be absorbed in sufficient quantities to make them effective. In this case, your pharmacist may ask you to take the medicine with a specific type of food, for example with a meal containing fats.

ASK YOUR PHARMACIST

The influence of food on your treatment should never be underestimated. When your pharmacist provides you with precise guidance concerning food, it’s imperative to adhere to those recommendations. Neglecting these instructions can result in an incomplete response to the treatment or potentially induce avoidable side effects.

In cases where you have not received explicit food-related instructions, your medication likely allows for consumption either on an empty stomach or with food. Nevertheless, it’s advisable to err on the side of caution and always consult with your pharmacist first to ensure the best approach.