These morning habits block medication absorption, pharmacist says
Morning habits that reduce medication absorption (photo: Freepik)
Every day morning habits that many people consider harmless may quietly reduce the effectiveness of medications. Coffee on an empty stomach and breakfast choices can all influence how the body absorbs drugs, according to Health.
Drinking coffee every morning
A study published in Biomed Research International shows that drinking coffee while taking medications may affect how the body absorbs, breaks down, and distributes drugs.
Caffeine found in coffee and some types of tea (including green tea) can reduce the effectiveness of medications for diabetes, antidepressants (escitalopram), methotrexate, and thyroid treatment drugs.
If you need to take medication in the morning, try to leave at least a 1–2 hour gap between your coffee or other caffeinated drinks and your medication.
Taking morning supplements
According to the FDA, taking supplements in the morning may seem like a good routine, but combining them with medications can affect drug effectiveness.
Some dietary supplements may alter the absorption, metabolism, or elimination of medications, which can reduce their effectiveness.
Other common supplements, such as iron and calcium, can also bind to certain drugs (for example, antibiotics), lowering their effectiveness.
Breakfast food choices
Common breakfast items such as milk and fruit juice may affect the oral absorption of certain medications. Milk contains calcium, which can form complexes with drugs like thyroxine, affecting absorption.
In general, both the volume and viscosity of food can directly or indirectly influence how medications are absorbed.
A high-fat breakfast may reduce the amount of medication absorbed by the body, making it less effective.
However, some medications should definitely be taken with food, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, diabetes medications, and certain antibiotics.
If you experience stomach discomfort when taking medication on an empty stomach, consider eating something light, such as a cracker.
Intense morning workouts
Physical activity can improve overall health and even reduce the risk of medication side effects. However, intense workouts may reduce blood flow to internal organs and slow medication absorption.
Moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or water aerobics, may be enough to maintain health without significantly affecting medication action.
If you are taking certain medications, such as heart drugs or blood pressure medications, talk to your doctor to determine the best type of exercise to include in your daily routine.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
