IT IS IMPERATIVE that you fully appreciate the do’s and don’ts of any medicine that you may use; both prescription and over-thecounter. Irrespective of the route that the medicine is administered or used, a medication needs to be taken correctly for it to be maximally effective and to minimize its potential side effects.
Correct way of taking the most commonly used pain medicines
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Examples of NSAIDs include aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, Voltaren, Cataflam, Ponstan, Naprosyn, naproxen, Aleve, indomethacin, Celebrex, Mobic, etc. In order to reduce the chances of stomach irritation, stomach ulcers, and stomach bleeds these should always be taken with a meal and must never be taken on an empty stomach.
- Paracetamol: Many foods, in particular foods high in pectin (e.g. guavas, plums, citrus fruits, and apples), carbohydrates (e.g. bread, pasta, macaroni, ground provisions), and cruciferous vegetables (e.g. callaloo, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, watercress, Brussel sprouts, Chinese cabbage, and others) can interfere with paracetamol’s absorption. So it is highly recommended that paracetamol or any of its forms, (e.g. Panadol, Tylenol, or acetaminophen) be taken on an empty stomach.
Medicines That Should Be Taken On An Empty Stomach
For the best results, the following commonly taken medicines should be ingested on an empty stomach: amlodipine, ampicillin, azithromycin, bisacodyl, captopril, cloxacillin, ciprofloxacin, Floxin, levothyroxine, loratadine, metoclopramide, propranolol, proton pump inhibitors (e.g. Nexium, omeprazole, pantoprazole, lansoprazole), sotalol, sucralfate, sulfonamides (e.g.Bactrim, Septra, sulfatrim, etc.), tetracycline.
Medicines That Should Be Taken With Food
These are some medicines that are best taken with food to improve their effectiveness and, or, to reduce their side effects: allopurinol, amiodarone, antacids, augmentin, bromocriptine, carbamazepine, CBD, carvedilol, Daonil, dexamethasone, Diamicron, digoxin, erythromycin, glipizide, Januvia, ketoconazole, mebendazole, metformin, nitrofurantoin, potassium, prednisone/ prednisolone, metronidazole, nifedipine, sodium valproate, spironolactone, zinc.
Alcohol needs to be avoided if taking any of the following medications
