Should the medicine be taken before or after meals?

The medicines given to people can be said to be varied, including both Western medicine and Chinese medicine. Each medicine has different medicinal properties and needs to be taken at different times. Some medicines need to be taken before meals, some medicines need to be taken after meals, some medicines need to be taken during meals, etc. For example, medicines taken before meals are generally gastrokinetic drugs, the more common ones are metoclopramide, cisapride, etc., while medicines taken on an empty stomach should include laxatives, Chinese tonics, etc.

Eat before meals

1. Gastrokinetic drugs:

Metoclopramide, metoclopramide, cisapride, etc. should be taken 30 minutes before meals.

2. Gastric wall protective drugs and antacids:

Gastric mucosal protective agents and antacids are best taken before meals. They can form a protective film on the stomach wall, which can not only neutralize stomach acid but also protect the ulcer surface of the stomach wall. For example, common aluminum hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate, bismuth subcarbonate, calcium carbonate, imidazole, sucralfate, ranitidine, etc. all belong to this type of drugs.

3. Digestive aids

Pepsin, amylase, lactase, multi-enzyme tablets, etc. need to be taken shortly before meals so that the medicine and food can be fully mixed and the medicine can take effect in time, which is beneficial to the decomposition and absorption of sugar, fat and protein in food, thereby playing a good digestive role.

Eat on an empty stomach

1. Laxatives

It is best to take laxatives in the early morning before meals to maintain a higher drug concentration so that the drug can quickly enter the intestines to take effect, such as sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, castor oil, etc.

2. Chinese tonic

Taking tonic medicine one hour before breakfast can better play its nourishing effect of replenishing qi and blood. For example, Siwu Decoction, Sijunzi Decoction, Shengmai Yin, etc. It can also be taken half an hour before going to bed.

Eat after meals

1. Drugs that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract

Taking drugs such as aspirin, indomethacin, ferrous sulfate, phenytoin sodium, metal halides (such as potassium iodide, ammonium chloride), metronidazole, doxycycline, etc. after meals can reduce irritation to the gastrointestinal tract and avoid inducing peptic ulcers. A netizen told the editor that he took aspirin on an empty stomach for a month and it actually caused gastric bleeding. Therefore, there is a science to taking medicine before and after meals, so everyone should always consult a doctor!

2. Lipid-soluble drugs

Fat-soluble vitamins and vitamin B2 slowly enter the small intestine with food, which is conducive to absorption. Their special absorption mechanism requires them to be taken after meals. In addition, when taking fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, the meal should not contain too little fat.

3. Medicines that work better when taken after meals

Drugs such as propranolol (Inderal), spironolactone, hydrochlorothiazide, and nitrofurantoin also need to be taken after meals because food can increase the bioavailability of these drugs.

Finally, the editor only sorted out some common medicines, and there are many medicines that are not mentioned. It is recommended that you do not take medicine indiscriminately. It is best to consult a doctor before taking medicine.