Peter Thnoia from PillTime, an NHS-registered online pharmacy, says juggling multiple prescriptions can be tricky – but there are some simple rules to follow
The doctor has said it could help you sleep better(Image: Getty Images)
If you’re on regular medication or tablets such as iron or ibuprofen, you might need to check you’re taking them properly – and we’re not referring to swallowing pills with water or alongside food.
Peter Thnoia from PillTime, an NHS-registered online pharmacy, explains that managing several prescriptions can be challenging. Yet, millions of Brits on long-term treatments could be undermining their medication potency simply by taking them at the incorrect time of day.
He’s warned that failing to read instructions thoroughly can diminish medicine effectiveness and heighten the likelihood of adverse reactions.
(Image: UIG via Getty Images)
“Too often, people don’t read or fully follow the instructions that come with their medication – and that can have a real impact on how well those medicines work,” says Peter, who has over 20 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical sector, reports the Mirror.
“Something as simple as taking a pill at the wrong time of day, or not alongside food when it’s needed, can reduce its effectiveness or even cause unwanted side effects. Building a consistent routine and understanding the ‘when’ as well as the ‘what’ of your medication is key to getting the best results for your health.”
Statins – avoid taking them at this time.
Among the most frequently mistimed medications are particular statins.
These cholesterol-reducing drugs safeguard against cardiovascular disease. Millions of Brits, especially those beyond 40, are given statins like simvastatin and lovastatin on prescription.
These particular statins are most effective during evening hours as the body’s cholesterol manufacturing reaches its highest point overnight.
Yet despite this knowledge, countless individuals consume them first thing in the morning purely through routine, along with their other tablets.
Peter explained: “Many people take their statins in the morning, simply because it’s when they take the rest of their medication.
“But for certain types, such as simvastatin, research shows they work best when taken in the evening – when the body naturally produces more cholesterol. If you take them at the wrong time, you could be reducing their effectiveness without even realising it.”
Supplements and other medications.
It’s not only prescribed drugs that suffer from poor timing – nutritional supplements are frequently consumed at inappropriate moments, diminishing their advantages.
Iron tablets, for instance, are commonly swallowed during morning routines alongside breakfast or a hasty brew before dashing off.
Yet dairy products can dramatically decrease the amount of iron our bodies take in.
Peter emphasises that dairy is typically consumed at breakfast time when people enjoy cereal, tea, coffee and other morning fare.
“There are plenty of people who take morning supplements like iron tablets to ‘get them through the day’ – often gulped down quickly before heading to work,” he says. “But iron is actually absorbed best on an empty stomach, and things like dairy, tea or coffee can block absorption. That’s why the best advice is to take iron tablets as soon as you get up, before breakfast.”
There are other medications that you might be taking at the wrong time – including ADHD drugs.
Levothyroxine, for an underactive thyroid, should ideally be taken first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before any food or drink to enhance absorption.
Certain pain relievers, such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen, known as NSAIDS, can irritate the stomach – so it’s recommended to take them with food or a glass of milk.
Specific ADHD medications, like methylphenidate, can cause insomnia if taken too late in the day, hence morning doses are advised to manage symptoms during waking hours without disrupting sleep.
The doctor has said it could help you sleep better(Image: Getty Images)
You may be ruining your medication without knowing it(Image: MementoJpeg via Getty Images)