This is an important aspect of the administration of oral medications. Restrictions on the medication in relation to meals based on two principles:
Ensuring Efficiency:
The meal can influence the pharmacokinetics of drugs. The amendments are multiple (absorption rate, peak serum, gastric emptying, metabolism) and may be accompanied by a change in bioavailability. Any changes in bioavailability may influence drug efficacy.
Improve the digestive tolerance:
Taking definite medications with meals designed to improve gastrointestinal tolerance. This is particularly true for anti-inflammatory agents, certain antibiotics, etc.... On the other hand, some drugs that act in the gastrointestinal tract are the subject of specific recommendations regarding their decision or not with a meal (e.g., antacids, digestive enzymes, antifungal ...)
Examples of drugs whose absorption is modified by intestinal food
Reduced absorption
- Penincilline, tetracyclines (if simultaneous absorption of dairy products)
- Acetylsalicylic acid
- Levodopa
- Theophylline (if simultaneous absorption of protein)
- Sotalol
Delayed absorption
- Cephalosporins (if simultaneous absorption of dairy products)
- Erythromycin
- Sulfonamides
- Furosemide
- Cimetidine
- Digoxin (if absorption of too much fiber)
- Ibuprofen
Increased absorption
- Griseofulvin (if simultaneous absorption of fat)
- Nitrofurans (however diminished if taken on an empty stomach)
- Diazepam
- Hydrochlorothiazide
- Lithium (however diminished if taken on an empty stomach)
- Propranolol (a reduction of the effect of first pass metabolism)
- Metoprolol
- Phenytoin (through enzyme induction)