Before and After Meal Medications

Many have been wondering why certain medicines should be taken before meals and some should be taken after meals or with food. This is because of the different interactions of specific medications with food in the stomach. Some medicines cause stomach upsets or GI (gastrointestinal) tract disturbances when taken with an empty stomach. Most anti-inflammatory drugs for example are advised to be taken with food or directly after meals. (see table below: TAKEN WITH FOOD OR AFTER MEAL MEDICATIONS) On the other hand, most antibiotics are recommended to be taken before each meal (usually an hour or two before). Drugs under this category are most effective and are quickly absorbed with an empty stomach. (see table below: BEFORE MEAL MEDICATIONS) BEFORE MEAL MEDICATIONS
Generic Name	Extra Reminder	Generic Name	Extra Reminder
Alendronate		Oxacillin
Ampicillin		Penicillamine
Astemizole		Perindopril
Bethanechol		Repaglinide
Bisacodyl		Rifampin
Captopril	1 hour before meals	Rifabutin
Cefibuten		Riluzole
Cilostazol		Roxithromycin	Take 15 minutes before meal
Ciprofloxacin	Can also be taken with meals but it is best to take with an empty stomach	Sucralfate
Demeclocycline		Sulfadiazine
Dicloxacilling		Sulfamethoxazole
Etidronate		Tetracycline	Never take with milk and other daily products
Felodipine		Tolcapone
Indinavir		Zafirlukast
Lansoprazole	Take right before meal	Zalcitabine
Levothyroxine
Mycophenolate
Omeprazole

TAKEN WITH FOOD OR AFTER MEAL MEDICATIONS
Generic Name	Extra Reminder	Generic Name	Extra Reminder
Allopurinol	Take right after meal	Metronidazole
Atovaquone		Misoprostol
Augmentin		Methanamine
Aspirin		Mebendazole
Amiodarone		Methylprednisolone
Baclofen		Naltrexone
Bromocriptine		Naproxen
Clofazimine		Nelfinavir
Carvedilol		Nitrofurantoin
Carbamazepine		Niacin
Cefpodoxime		Olsalazine
Chloroquine		Perphenazine
Cimetidine		Pentoxifylline
Diclofenac sodium and potassium		Pergolide
Divalproex sodium		Piroxicam
Doxycycline		Potassium salts
Felbamate		Prednisone
Fenofibrate		Procainamide
Fiorinal		Ritonavir
Fludrocortisone		Salsalate
Fenoprofen		Saquinavir
Griseofulvin		Sevelamer
Glyburide	Taken after breakfast	Spironolactone
Hydrocortisone		Sulfasalazine
Hydroxychloroquine		Sulfinpyrazone
Ibuprofen		Sulindac
Indomethacin		Ticlopidine
Iron preparations	Take between meals-if GI upset occurs	Tolmetin
Itraconazole		Trazodone
Ketorolac		Troglitazone
Lithium		Valproic acid