Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Which medicines should be taken with food and which should be taken on an empty stomach?
Physician's Weekly
September 10, 2021

Which medicines should be taken with food and which should be taken on an empty stomach?

Q: Dear Dr., I’m taking paracetamol and baby aspirin; must I take these with food?

A: Introduction: Food can affect a medication’s absorption by prolonging stomach emptying time, altering the stomach and intestinal acidity/ pH, stimulating bile production, increasing intestinal blood flow, or physically binding with medications. Hence it is important to know how your medicines should be taken relative to a full or empty stomach as well as the type of meal eaten. By taking your medicine correctly, you can improve the effectiveness of the medicines as well as reduce some of the side effects.

  • Low Dose (Baby) Aspirin And Food: Baby aspirin, also known as low dose aspirin, generally comes in 79mg and 81 mg formulations. Like all forms of aspirin, including NSAIDS (e.g. diclofenac, ibuprofen, voltaren, cataflam, Naprosyn, etc.), it should always be taken with meals.

For if taken on an empty stomach it may not only result in an upset stomach, but can cause ulcers of the stomach and stomach bleeds. And taking low dose aspirin with food does not dimmish the effectiveness of the aspirin.

  • Paracetamol And Food: Many foods, in particular foods high in pectin (e.g. apples, guavas, plums, and citrus fruits), carbohydrates (e.g. bread, pasta, macaroni, ground provisions), and many types of cruciferous vegetables (e.g. cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, watercress, Brussel sprouts, Chinese cabbage and others) can interfere with paracetamol’s absorption. So it’s best to take paracetamol or any of it’s forms, (e.g. Panadol, Tylenol, or acetaminophen) on an empty stomach and with lots of fluids. It should also be noted that paracetamol when taken on an empty stomach, is quite an effective pain reliever for mild to moderate pain, including osteoarthritis pain.
  • Medicines That Should Be Taken On An Empty Stomach: For the best results the following commonly taken medicines should be taken on an empty stomach: amlodipine, ampicillin, azithromycin, bisacodyl, captopril, cloxacillin, ciprofloxacillin, floxin, levothyroxine, loratadine, metoclopramide, propranolol, proton pump inhibitors (e.g. 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 in order to improve their effectiveness and or to reduce their side effects: allopurinol, amiodarone, augmentin, bromocriptine, carbamazepine (Tegretol), carvedilol (Coreg), daonil, diamicron, digoxin, erythromycin, glipizide, ketoconazole (e.g. Nizoral), mebendazole, potassium, prednisone/ prednisolone, metronidazole (e.g. flagyl, fasigyn), nifedipine, sodium valproate, spironolactone, zinc.

Other medicine/ food interactions which you need to be aware of:

  • Paracetamol should not be taken with alcohol because of the potential of liver toxicity.
  • Dairy products (e.g. milk, yogurt, or cheese) reduce the absorption of certain antibiotics – cipro/ ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and tetracyclines.
  • Amlodipine, nifedipine, simvastatin and atorvastatin should not be taken with grapefruit or its juice.
  • Alcohol should not be used with metronidazole.
  • If taking the blood thinner warfarin, the following foods and beverages should be avoided – spinach, parsley, cabbage, lettuce, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cranberry juice, alcohol, green tea and grapefruit juice.
  • Author: Dr. C. Malcolm Grant – Family Physician, c/o Family Care Clinic, Arnos Vale, www.familycaresvg.com, clinic@familycaresvg.com, 1(784)570-9300 (Office), 1(784)455-0376 (WhatsApp)

Disclaimer: The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider if you are seeking medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, Family Care Clinic or The Searchlight Newspaper or their associates, respectively, are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information provided above.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok