So, for the first time, I was prescribed a medication that had the instructions “Take on an empty stomach.”
I was aware such medications existed, but I’d never been prescribed one before so I’d never given those instructions much thought. But, now, I started wondering – what exactly does that mean? HOW empty?
I mean, I could take one dose in the morning when I first wake up but then how long do I have to wait before I can eat? And what about the *other* doses I have to take throughout the day?
And does empty only refer to food, or does water or other drinks count too? So many questions!
Turns out, it’s not as straightforward as you might think.
Even the “expert” medical websites don’t agree.
After reviewing multiple health websites, I decided I was probably safe waiting one hour after I took the medication before eating, and waiting two hours after I ate before taking the medication. But I didn’t know for sure.
Turns out, some medications are particularly finicky. Hopefully, if you are taking one of those, your doctor or pharmacist will give you detailed instructions.
The National Institutes of Health asserts that “on an empty stomach” means you should take these medications either 2 hours before eating or 2 hours after eating.
And what about beverages? There’s even *less* information to be had about that. A few sites mention “plain water” as being ok, in moderation. But it appears that there is no “blanket” advice on beverages. Medications vary widely, and some medications interact with certain drinks – grapefruit juice being a well-known example. Milk can also interfere with absorption. And hopefully everyone knows that many medications don’t mix with alcoholic drinks.
I eventually looked up my specific medication on the Mayo Clinic website, and learned that I could take it with water or fruit juice (8 ounces for adults). This website also confirmed that 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after was correct for this medication.
Bottom Line: You should discuss specific instructions for taking medications with your doctor or pharmacist. The Mayo Clinic website (see above) can also provide useful information. A broad rule of thumb is 2 hours before or two hours after eating. Taking your medication with plain water (up to 8 ounces) should be fine (but I am not a doctor or a pharmacist, so this information is for educational purposes only).
Finally, I leave you with a commentary, written by a medical professional, on how ludicrous these medication instructions can become.
WARNING: Food and medications can interact, which could make the medications less effective or could cause adverse side-effects. See this FDA pamphlet for more information on Food-Drug Interactions.
