Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: DoctorBeaver on 21/01/2009 16:35:00

Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 21/01/2009 16:35:00
We've probably all seen it on medication - "Take with or after food".

But what does that mean? What is food in this respect? I doubt that a fruit pastille or square of chocolate would qualify. But what about 1 cracker with cheese? Or a couple of digestive biscuits? Where does "food" start?

Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: Karen W. on 21/01/2009 20:12:50
I have been told to at th very least eat some crackers or bread' toast or your meal....It is to help put something between the medicine and the stomach lining to absorb some of the medication  so its not so hard on the tummy and it helps allow more of a slower rate of absorbtion... but That is only my understanding of that medication instruction.. some meds may have other reasons depending on the chemical  properties of the meds..I am no expert though!
Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 21/01/2009 21:41:03
Karen - I know the reasoning behind it, but just saying "Take with food" gives no indication of what quantity or type of food should be eaten.
Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 21/01/2009 22:40:58
After a meal. E.g, lunch, dinner etc...
Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 21/01/2009 22:56:50
After a meal. E.g, lunch, dinner etc...

So what if I just have a couple of crackers for lunch? Or a slice of toast for breakfast? Is that sufficient?
Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 21/01/2009 23:07:36
Yes Sir~!
Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 22/01/2009 08:43:04
Oh, fair enough. Thank you. *hops off for a sausage sarnie*
Title: Medically speaking, what is food?
Post by: iko on 24/01/2009 10:17:21
We've probably all seen it on medication - "Take with or after food".

But what does that mean? What is food in this respect? I doubt that a fruit pastille or square of chocolate would qualify. But what about 1 cracker with cheese? Or a couple of digestive biscuits? Where does "food" start?



Some drugs may irritate the gastric mucosa and have to be "diluted" in food, others interact with food components and are poorly absorbed.
Doxycycline -one example out of many- binds to calcium easily enough to stay in food all the way, without being digested-absorbed: better to avoid milk and cheese then...just a few crackers will be fine.