[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

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?

[Karen W.]

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!

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

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.

[Chemistry4me]

After a meal. E.g, lunch, dinner etc...

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

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?

[Chemistry4me]

Yes Sir~!

[DoctorBeaver (OP)]

Oh, fair enough. Thank you. *hops off for a sausage sarnie*

[iko]

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.