Why is it so important to eat before taking medication?

1. 58

   Goody5posted 12 years ago

   Why is it so important to eat before taking medication?

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2. 60

   mylindaelliottposted 12 years ago

   I eat before taking medicine because medication seems to make my empty stomach hurt.

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   1. 58

      Goody5posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Do you feel medicine is less effective  with an empty stomach?

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      mylindaelliottposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      No not less effective.  It just complicates things because then my stomach hurts too.

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3. 85

   Georgie Loweryposted 12 years ago

   I have trouble with most medication, even vitamins on an empty stomach. If I'm not ready to eat, I'll at least try to drink a glass of milk, or I'll be sick from the pills.

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      Kena Bladelposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      so true, if i take medication without eating i'll feel sick... empty stomach doens't work with medication... i'm a witness

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4. 60

   jodeciposted 12 years ago

   Some medications especially some antibiotics cause the stomach to get nauseated. You could eat something very small like a slice of toast with a little butter if you wish or crackers. I don't always be hungry in the mornings so I would eat crackers before taking medications.

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5. 38

   Borsiaposted 12 years ago

   Most medications alter the PH levels of your stomach being either very acidic or very alkali, vitamins for example are usually very acidic.
   Either of these states can cause stomach problems.
   Many medications require you to take them on a full, or at least ½ full, stomach to regulate absorption rates, making them somewhat “time released”.
   You will occasionally see medications that require an empty stomach this can be either to have them digested very quickly or because they will cause nausea if there is anything else in the stomach.

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6. 54

   ocbillposted 12 years ago

   Yeah, I'd eat a banana or a piece of bread otherwise your stomach could hurt . The medication has to be absorbed normally and taken 100% it just goes in main area but I am no doctor so I'd listen to one.

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7. 93

   MsDoraposted 12 years ago

   Some instructions say, before, with, or after meals.  I was taught that the digestive system does not recognize the unnatural concoction that is called medication, and does not know what to do with it; so putting it into the stomach with food is an attempt to disguise the ingredients as food, facilitating its absorption.

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8. 72

   SidKempposted 12 years ago

   Most prescription medications are highly toxic. The body knows, this, and the stomach gets upset, letting you know not to poison yourself with such things.
   
   Prescription medicines are, by and large, foreign chemicals. For a prescription medicine to be effective, the dose must be high enough to overwhelm the liver, which cleanses the body of foreign chemicals. Only such a high dose will keep the medicine in the body long enough to fight the illness.
   
   Antibiotics are toxic in another way - they kill of friendly intestinal bacteria that help us digest food.
   
   If you must take these medicines, generally, take them with food to avoid stomach upset.
   
   On the other hand, some medicines do not cause stomach upset and are best taken with no food, so they will be absorbed more fully.
   
   **
   Supplements and herbs are a different story. Supplements (such as vitamins and minerals) generally go well with food because they are extra elements of healthy food and will get absorbed better that way. Vitamin C, though, is best taken with just a little natural citrus or tomato, something that contains Vitamin C. That will help with absorption.
   
   Herbs are best taken on an empty stomach, as they are harmless and do not upset the stomach, and will be absorbed better on their own.
   
   Probiotics must be taken on an empty stomach - 2 hours after you eat, and 20 minutes before - to be effective. I take mine when I wake up, and wait 20 minutes before breakfast.

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9. 0

   RTalloniposted 12 years ago

   Certain medications (thyroid prescriptions are an example) should be taken on an empty stomach.  Following medication instructions re food is important.

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