Should I take stomach medicine before or after meals?

Many people always experience bloating and indigestion after meals, so they always need some medicine to help digestion. Some people even carry stomach medicine with them and take two stomach medicines before every meal. So is it better to take stomach medicines before or after meals? Many people are concerned about this issue, let’s take a look at it below!

It is generally better to take stomach medicine after meals. It is recommended that you read the instructions carefully or follow the doctor's advice. Patients with chronic gastritis should pay great attention to their diet: eat regularly, eat small and frequent meals, and mainly eat soft food; chew slowly and avoid overeating; avoid irritating foods, quit smoking and drinking, drink less strong tea and coffee, and eat spicy, overheated and rough foods; those with low stomach acid and bile reflux should eat more lean meat, poultry, fish, milk and other high-protein and low-fat foods; avoid taking drugs that are irritating to the stomach (such as sodium salicylate, indomethacin, phenylbutazone and aspirin, etc.); relieve mental tension, maintain an optimistic mood, thereby improving immune function and enhancing disease resistance; pay attention to the combination of work and rest, and exercise appropriately.

1. Antacids: The most commonly used drugs for the treatment of excessive gastric acid, gastric and duodenal ulcers include sodium bicarbonate (commonly known as baking soda), aluminum hydroxide gel, calcium carbonate, 10% magnesium hydroxide, and compound preparations such as Weishuhu, Gaiweiping, Weibizhi, and Weider (the main ingredient of which is antacid). The above drugs must be taken 1-1.5 hours after a meal, so that the buffering effect can be maintained for up to 3-4 hours. If taken immediately after a meal, the drug effect can only last for about 1 hour. In addition, if the effect is not obvious, you can increase the frequency of taking the medicine without increasing the dosage each time, and take one more dose before going to bed. For example, aluminum hydroxide gel can be taken 3 times a day, 10 ml each time. If the symptoms are not significantly relieved, it can be changed to 4 times a day, still 10 ml each time. Please note that Weishuping and Gaiweiping are chewable tablets, and the best effect is achieved after chewing them and taking them.

2. Anticholine drugs: Commonly used ones include atropine, propantheline, weichangning, weihuan and wei'an. Anticholine drugs are generally only used in combination with antacids, and the effect is poor when used alone. The best time to take the medicine is about 15 to 30 minutes before a meal, and the dosage should be just enough to cause dry mouth, such as taking propantheline 3 times a day, 1 tablet each time. It should be noted that patients with glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bronchitis should avoid using such drugs because they can aggravate their condition.

3. Cimetidine: It has significant therapeutic effects on ulcer disease, especially duodenal ulcer, with rapid onset and strong analgesic effect. It is best to take this medicine with food, 1 tablet each time during breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and 2 tablets before going to bed.

After reading the above introduction, I believe you have a deeper understanding of stomach medicine. Different stomach medicines have different taking times. Most people have different stomach problems, so the medicines they take are also different. When stomach problems occur, go to a regular professional hospital for examination and treatment in time. It is best to take some medicine under the guidance of a doctor. If the doctor does not explain clearly, you should ask in time when is the best time to take the medicine.