Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Some antibiotics are specialised and are only effective against some types of bacteria. Whereas, broad-spectrum antibiotics, attack a wide range of bacteria, including ones that are beneficial to us. There are two main ways that antibiotics target bacteria. They either prevent the reproduction of bacteria, or they kill the bacteria, for example by stopping the mechanism responsible for building their cell walls.
So, should antibiotics be taken before or after food? Antibiotics are often recommended to be taken at certain times. Taking antibiotics at the incorrect time may also increase your chance of developing antibiotic resistance. Should your antibiotics be taken before or after food? Taking certain medicines with food can reduce the risk of side effects. Diabetes medicines such as gliclazide or glimepiride belonging to the group of medicines known as sulfonylureas , for example, should be taken with food to reduce the risk of low blood sugar.
Taking medicines such as ibuprofen for pain and inflammation or metformin for diabetes with food is also recommended to reduce nausea and stomach upset. The relationship between meal size and medicine effect has not been widely studied. But for some medicines, the size of the meal is important. Meal composition can also be important. Eating foods high in fibre, protein or fat can impact on the absorption of some medicines.
Drinks such as tea, coffee, milk and fruit juice can also affect the way certain medicines act in the body. Dairy products should be avoided within two hours of taking antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin , however they can be eaten at other times. You may need to avoid grapefruit altogether as it can interfere with the metabolism processing of certain medicines in the body, leading to side effects.
Check medicine labels carefully for advice about food or drinks. The consumption of certain medications post meals can help reduce their harsh gastric side effects. It also ensures that the medicines are not washed away and absorbed properly in the bloodstream, as in the case of antifungal gels or liquid medicines for oral thrush or mouth ulcers. Certain antibiotics and HIV medicines fall under this category.
Get Cancer second opinion. Drug Interactions Decoded The consumption of certain foods and liquids can trigger a host of physiological changes in your body.
Drug Interactions on an Empty Stomach When a medicine is prescribed on an empty stomach, it is done to ensure the most effective absorption. Drug Interactions With a Meal or Snack Some medicines have side effects like stomach irritation, indigestion, ulcers or inflammation. Medanta Medical Team. Prev Going For An Endoscopy? Understand How It Work
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