Peter Thnoia from PillTime, an NHS-registered online pharmacy, says juggling multiple prescriptions can be tricky – but there are some simple rules to follow
An urgent warning has been issued(Image: Catherine Falls Commercial via Getty Images)
If you’re taking everyday medications or tablets such as iron or ibuprofen, you might want to make sure you’re consuming them correctly – and we’re not referring to swallowing tablets with water or alongside food. Peter Thnoia from PillTime, an NHS-registered online pharmacy, explains that managing multiple prescriptions can be challenging.
Nevertheless, millions of individuals on long-term medications could be diminishing their potency simply by consuming them at the incorrect time of day. He’s warned that failing to read the guidance properly can render medicines less effective and heighten the risk of adverse side effects.
“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.
“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”, reports the Mirror “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 – stop taking them at this time
One of the most widespread types of medication consumed at the incorrect time is certain statins. This is a cholesterol-reducing drug that helps guard against heart disease.
Millions of people across the UK, especially those aged over 40, are given statins including simvastatin and lovastatin on prescription. These particular statins are most effective when taken during the evening hours, as the body’s cholesterol manufacturing reaches its peak overnight.
Yet despite this fact, countless individuals consume them first thing in the morning purely through routine, taking them with their other daily 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 times too, diminishing their potential benefits. Iron tablets, for instance, are commonly swallowed during morning routines alongside breakfast or a hurried cuppa before dashing off to work.
Yet dairy products can dramatically limit the amount of iron your system can absorb. Peter emphasises that dairy is typically consumed first thing in the morning when people enjoy cereal, tea, coffee and other breakfast items.
“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.”
Other medications you might be taking at the wrong time
They include ADHD drugs, Levothyroxine for an underactive thyroid, and certain pain relievers.
Levothyroxine is best taken first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before consuming any food or drink to maximise absorption.
Pain relief medications 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.
Certain 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.
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