Present in almost all French medicine cabinets, paracetamol and ibuprofen can be of great help in cases of pain. But do you know when to take both during the day? Because yes, timing matters.
One is taken on an empty stomach, the other while eating.
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, explains that the taking conditions differ for these two drugs: one is taken on an empty stomach, the other with food — a question of absorption.
- “THE paracetamol is generally taken away from mealsbecause it does not irritate the digestive mucosa and its speed of absorption is better when the stomach is empty, which allows faster action on pain or fever”;
- This is not the case of ibuprofen, which will be more effective taken during a meal. “Ibuprofen, classified as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is a medication that irritates the stomach: it is therefore recommended to take it during or just after a meal in order to protect the gastric mucosa and limit the risk of digestive disorders (burns, nausea, gastritis, ulcer)”.
Before or during the meal? The right time for other treatments
Knowing whether your treatment benefits from being taken while eating is therefore a question of comfort as much as effectiveness. This principle also applies to other medications:
- All NSAIDs (ibuprofen, aspirin, ketoprofen, diclofenac) must be taken with food to avoid weakening the stomach;
- Some antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or doxycycline) are better tolerated during meals.
Other medications, on the other hand, should be taken away from meals:
- Treatments against osteoporosis (bisphosphonates) are poorly absorbed in the presence of food;
- Certain oral anticancer drugs;
- Treatments for the thyroid (levothyroxine);
- Certain antiretrovirals or drugs that act quickly on the central nervous system.
“If in doubt about the time of taking, you should always refer to the instructions or the advice of the pharmacist, because the speed of action, digestive tolerance and effectiveness can vary greatly depending on the medication and the time of taking”concludes our expert.