The right time for each medicine

Taking medication at the right time of the day can make a big difference in the effectiveness of treatment.

Taking drugs at the wrong time seems to be harmless but can cause them to lose their effects, even pose a health risk. Here is the right time to use some common medicines:

Drugs used before breakfast

  1. Iron supplements : Take iron supplements with a glass of orange juice or when an empty stomach will create an acidic environment that helps absorb it best. When your stomach is hungry, you can supplement your iron with nausea, which should be used with some food.

Iron may also interact with other drugs, hindering absorption of calcium, multivitamins and antibiotics. If you take a lot of medications, in addition to iron supplements, talk to your pharmacist about the types you are taking.

Picture 1 of The right time for each medicine
Taking the wrong medicine at the wrong time can lose its effect.(Photos: Pinterest).

  1. Medications for hypertension : Your blood pressure is usually higher in the morning. Taking medication at this time helps stabilize blood pressure for patients.
  2. Medications for thyroid pathology : Thyroid medicines work best when taken on an empty stomach. If you are taking other drugs - even non-prescription products like multivitamins - consult a pharmacist for appropriate advice.
  3. Acid reflux and heartburn: To be effective in treating acid reflux and heartburn, you should take it before eating.
  4. Drugs to treat osteoporosis : Most osteoporosis medicines are used in the first morning in an empty stomach, which can be taken weekly or monthly. Some osteoporosis medications are used daily before going to bed, but are not prescribed as often as morning.

Drugs used after breakfast

  1. Multivitamins : After breakfast, you can take multivitamins. The fat content of a meal helps the vitamins to dissolve and be absorbed. Multivitamins can also provide energy, so use it to start the day.

If you are using iron and calcium supplements at the same time, thyroid or antibiotic therapy drugs, there may be a battle of absorption in the digestive system. Pharmacists may recommend multivitamins after lunch and separate morning pills to help the body metabolize each type.

  1. Decongestants and anti-allergy : Stuffing and common allergy symptoms such as eye irritation are often worse in the morning. Taking this medicine after breakfast will help clean your sinuses, so you will feel less uncomfortable during the day. You should avoid taking these medicines in the afternoon or evening, it will make you awake, restless and sleepless.
  2. Probiotic: Drink probiotics after eating. Food in your stomach will help digestive enzymes work. If you drink probiotics when your stomach is hungry, the acidic environment can threaten their life.
  3. Medications for arthritis : Taking medicines to treat arthritis before or after breakfast will help control symptoms during the day. Many prescriptions for arthritis treatment have a second dose taken after dinner to ensure that patients wake up to reduce stiffness and increase mobility.

Picture 2 of The right time for each medicine
You should take multivitamins after breakfast.(Photo: Lifehacker).

  1. Diuretics : Taking diuretics in the morning allows your body to remove excess water during the day. We should take diuretics in the morning to avoid nighttime interruptions caused by side effects.

The drug should be taken after dinner

The liver converts most cholesterol while sleeping at night. Therefore, taking medication to treat hypercholesterolemia after dinner will help maintain this level of index stable.

Drugs should be taken before going to bed

For best results, you should take sleeping pills right before going to bed.

Before starting a prescription antibiotic, talk to your pharmacist to avoid unpleasant side effects or risk of decreased effectiveness. Each antibiotic has its own instructions for dosage, interaction with food and other drugs.

When taking medicine, one should not arbitrarily eat grapefruit or juice from this fruit without talking to the pharmacist or doctor. Fruits can increase the effect of certain drugs such as cardiovascular.

In addition, many drugs need to be taken several times a day. When taking any medication with or without prescription, you should read the directions carefully, consult your pharmacist, or your doctor.

  1. 6 times of drinking water is even more poisonous than medicine