Why Do We Have to Take Some Medications With Food? by Albert Delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03 en-us 2020-04-24 20:14:18 UTC 2020-04-24 20:49:43 UTC hello@padlet.com Most of us have been there - sitting patiently while the doctor is scribbling out a prescription along with specific instructions on how to take the medication: "Three times a day, with food" or "Two capsules on an empty stomach", for example. But the question is, why is that needed? albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529280399 2020-04-24 20:28:57 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529280399 If we think about the question the first think that comes to mind is the fact that both the medication and the food go through the same path; the digestive system. albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529283876 2020-04-24 20:31:15 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529283876 So lets take a take a trip to our freshmen biology class and remember what happens when we have a meal; more blood flows to the area, bile is released from the liver, and the cells of the stomach lining pump out gastric acid to break food down into compounds the body can use for its various purposes. albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529290891 2020-04-24 20:36:24 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529290891 albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529292115 2020-04-24 20:37:18 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529292115 What does any of this have to do with pills? Well medications like ibuprofen and other non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are best taken with food because they inhibit the body's production of prostaglandins but unfortunately, prostaglandins in the gut also protect the stomach lining from your own stomach acid. albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529296572 2020-04-24 20:40:40 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529296572 albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529299403 prostaglandins - compounds that promote inflammation]]> 2020-04-24 20:42:47 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529299403 As you can imagine, a tablet that prevents this protective function can easily lead to stomach irritation, particularly with regular use. Taking NSAIDs with a cushioning meal helps to avoid this problem, although it may somewhat slow down drug absorption. But that is a small price to pay to not throw up. albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529301512 2020-04-24 20:44:22 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529301512 albert_delacruzulloa https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529305085 It’s like the egg white protecting the egg yolk]]> 2020-04-24 20:47:03 UTC https://padlet.com/albert_delacruzulloa/gex7gai9phv3hq03/wish/529305085