Meds and food..

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Sorry this may br a stupid queation..Does anyone have a good way to remember what meds you take with food and which ones you take on an empty stomach..

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Hi, I am trying my best to summarize all the common drugs that are usually seen on practice tests.

for most of the meds, if u know the side effects, u may figure out what meds taken on empty stomach or with food

-antacid: always taken after meal cuz stomach food produces acid. Antacid (anti-acid) help the body neutralize that excess acid in the stomach to reduce pain

-Antibiotics:all must take on an empty stomach EXCEPT FOR C&S cephalosporins (prefix cep) and Sulfonamides ( prefix sul) Cephalosporins are recommended to be taken with milk or yogurt

-Antidepressant :

SSRI: taken AM cuz of insomnia side effect

Tricyclics: taken HS cuz of sedation side effect

-Antiemetics: Reglan: take before meal cuz it interferes with food, and at night to prevent heartburn

-Antifungal: take with food to decrease GI upset (antiFungal - Food )

-Antigout: take with meal

-Antilipemic agents:

Bile acid sequestrants: take 1h before or 4-6 h after other meds to avoid blocking absorption

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (statins) : take with food and at night

-Antihypertensives:

ACE inhibitors: empty stomach ( ACEmpty....got it? ;) )

Beta blockers: with meal

Aldomet: take at hs to reduce daytime drowsiness

Apresoline: with meal

alpha 1 blockers (suffix zosin) take at hs to avoid fainting

-Antithyroid: with meal

-thyroid replacement med: Cytomel: take in AM cuz of nervousness side effect

-TB drugs:

INH: before meal

Rifadin: with meal

-ADHD drugs: the two common drugs are Ritalin and dexedrine ( i remember Ride )

Ritalin: give 6h before hs cuz of insomnia side effect, give pc

Dexedrine: give in AM to prevent insomnia

-Diuretics :take with food or milk and of course in AM (yes! polyuria side effect)

-Iron preparations: Feosol, Imferon (Fe Fe Fe...more fiber fiber....)

-NSAIDs: with food or pc

-Ulcers meds: mostly with meal except for Carafate: WITH EMPTY STOMACH cuz it will coat the surface of stomach (you don't want it to coat on surface of food ) to form a protective barrier

Hope this helps, good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

duplicate threads merged

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Jane_88,

Thank you so much for taking the time to type that out. That is such a HUGE help.

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Jane_88,

Thank you so much for taking the time to type that out. That is such a HUGE help.

You are very welcome

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hi, I am trying my best to summarize all the common drugs that are usually seen on practice tests.

for most of the meds, if u know the side effects, u may figure out what meds taken on empty stomach or with food

-antacid: always taken after meal cuz stomach food produces acid. Antacid (anti-acid) help the body neutralize that excess acid in the stomach to reduce pain

-Antibiotics:all must take on an empty stomach EXCEPT FOR C&S cephalosporins (prefix cep) and Sulfonamides ( prefix sul) Cephalosporins are recommended to be taken with milk or yogurt

-Antidepressant :

SSRI: taken AM cuz of insomnia side effect

Tricyclics: taken HS cuz of sedation side effect

-Antiemetics: Reglan: take before meal cuz it interferes with food, and at night to prevent heartburn

-Antifungal: take with food to decrease GI upset (antiFungal - Food )

-Antigout: take with meal

-Antilipemic agents:

Bile acid sequestrants: take 1h before or 4-6 h after other meds to avoid blocking absorption

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (statins) : take with food and at night

-Antihypertensives:

ACE inhibitors: empty stomach ( ACEmpty....got it? ;) )

Beta blockers: with meal

Aldomet: take at hs to reduce daytime drowsiness

Apresoline: with meal

alpha 1 blockers (suffix zosin) take at hs to avoid fainting

-Antithyroid: with meal

-thyroid replacement med: Cytomel: take in AM cuz of nervousness side effect

-TB drugs:

INH: before meal

Rifadin: with meal

-ADHD drugs: the two common drugs are Ritalin and dexedrine ( i remember Ride )

Ritalin: give 6h before hs cuz of insomnia side effect, give pc

Dexedrine: give in AM to prevent insomnia

-Diuretics :take with food or milk and of course in AM (yes! polyuria side effect)

-Iron preparations: Feosol, Imferon (Fe Fe Fe...more fiber fiber....)

-NSAIDs: with food or pc

-Ulcers meds: mostly with meal except for Carafate: WITH EMPTY STOMACH cuz it will coat the surface of stomach (you don't want it to coat on surface of food ) to form a protective barrier

Hope this helps, good luck!

Great list of drugs/foods!!!!
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What is hs?

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
What is hs?

HS= hour of sleep aka bedtime.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
What is hs?
h.s. is an abbreviation for the Latin "hors somni" (at the hour of sleep) or bedtime.
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My head was in the clouds! Lol I thought I posted right after that I realized what it was. Haha

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thank you thank you. makes a lot of sense

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

Thank you! Very helpful overview!

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