Medication Organisation

Essential tips for taking medication correctly on an empty stomach

Find out which medication should be taken on an empty stomach, how to take it correctly, and the best time to take your medicines.

Amy D Feb 1, 2026

In short

Taking a medicine on an empty stomach generally means taking it one hour before eating or two hours after a meal.
Some medicines are taken on an empty stomach because food can reduce or delay their absorption; others, such as anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), are taken with food to reduce stomach upset.
The interval between two doses depends on each medicine: always follow the package leaflet or your doctor and do not bring the next dose forward.
If you take several medicines, a pharmacist can help you organise your doses around the time of day and your meals.

Do you usually take your medication before or after meals?

When we start a new medical treatment, we must make sure we fully understand the instructions given by healthcare staff. This way, we will achieve correct medication organisation, always bearing in mind such important aspects as the dosage, or when to take medicines on an empty stomach.

There are different health reasons why we may need to fast. One example is some blood tests, which may require 8 to 12 hours of fasting before the blood sample is taken.

Medication, however, follows a completely different rule. In this article we explain why we should take certain medicines on an empty stomach, and how to do it safely.

Why should we take a medicine on an empty stomach?

In many treatments it is recommended to take the medication on an empty stomach, so that the medicine is absorbed properly. This is because food can delay stomach emptying or interfere with the medicine, so that it is absorbed more slowly or in smaller amounts.

Taking medication on an empty stomach does not only refer to large meals. It also means avoiding nutritious drinks, such as juices or food supplements.

If we do not follow the instructions of healthcare staff, we could be reducing the treatment adherence of our treatment. After all, our body would not be receiving the prescribed medication correctly.

How do you take a medicine on an empty stomach?

It is very common to believe that the only time of day when we can take medication on an empty stomach is in the morning, just before breakfast. Although this is not entirely wrong, it is possible to take medicines on an empty stomach during the rest of the day, and even at night, without disrupting our eating routine.

As a general rule, to take a medicine on an empty stomach it is enough to take it about one hour before eating, or two hours after a meal. Some medicines have their own instructions, so always follow the package leaflet or your doctor. This way, we make sure that no food interferes with the absorption of the medicine, and that our body can absorb it correctly.

Medication you should take with food

Although some medicines must be taken on an empty stomach to help their absorption, there are medicines that need to be taken with food.

This is because, when certain medication is taken on an empty stomach, it can irritate our gastrointestinal tract, causing nausea or vomiting.

Some of the medicines it is advisable to take with food are NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, especially if you have a sensitive stomach: food does not improve their absorption, but it helps to reduce stomach upset.

That is why it is essential to read the package leaflet and listen carefully to the advice of your pharmacy and doctor.

Foods we should not mix with certain medicines

Bear in mind that not all medication is compatible with some foods and lifestyles. In our previous article “Foods to avoid if you are on treatment” we explained some of the most common adverse reactions, which we should try to avoid at all costs.

Some of the most problematic products are:

Milk, yoghurt and other dairy products, which reduce the absorption of some antibiotics
Cured cheeses and cured meats, which are rich in tyramine and interact with some antidepressants (MAOIs)
Salt, which you should limit if you are being treated for blood pressure or heart problems
Caffeine and theine, which can strengthen or change the effect of some medicines
Alcohol, which interacts with many medicines

Pay attention to changes in your diet, as they can easily change our treatment by altering the effect of medicines on our body. That is why you should look after your diet and watch out for any unwanted effects during treatment.

What is the best time to take medication?

There is no single interval between two doses of the same medicine: it depends on each medicine (for example, every 8 hours, every 12 hours or once a day). Always follow the package leaflet or your doctor and do not bring the next dose forward, as you could suffer an accidental overdose.

To make sure it is not dangerous, always check with your doctor or pharmacist, who will make sure your medicines do not interact with each other and that you are not allergic to any of them.

How do I know what time to take my medication?

As you can see, organising your daily medication can be a complex task. To make sure we take our doses on the right day and at the right time, the ideal is to have the experience and advice of a pharmacist.

IMA Health helps you find pharmacies that organise medication in SPD (personalised dosage system) format, and gives you the option of receiving it at home.