The warning also applies to people who take iron tablets or NaproxenSophie Buchan Money and Lifestyle Writer and Paul McAuley Senior Life Reporter
18:35, 30 Aug 2025
You may be ruining your medication without knowing it(Image: MementoJpeg via Getty Images)
If you’re regularly taking common medications such as statins or ibuprofen, it’s crucial to ensure you’re doing so correctly – and this goes beyond simply washing them down with a glass of water or having them with your meal. Peter Thnoia from PillTime, an NHS-registered online pharmacy, highlights that managing multiple prescriptions can be challenging.
However, he warns that millions of individuals on long-term medication could be inadvertently diminishing their effectiveness by consuming them at inappropriate times of the day. He emphasises that neglecting to thoroughly read the instructions can render medicines less potent and heighten the risk of undesirable side effects, reports the Mirror.
Peter, who boasts over two decades of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, said: “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.
“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.”
Paracetamol and ibuprofen have different jobs
One of the most frequently misused medications in terms of timing is certain statins. These cholesterol-lowering drugs are instrumental in safeguarding against heart disease.
Countless individuals across the UK, especially those aged over 40, receive prescriptions for statins including simvastatin and lovastatin. These particular statin varieties perform most effectively during evening hours, as the body’s cholesterol manufacturing reaches its peak overnight.
Despite this scientific fact, numerous patients consume them during morning hours purely through routine, alongside their other daily medications. Peter said: “Many people take their statins in the morning, simply because it’s when they take the rest of their medication.
Prescription drugs aren’t the only treatments influenced by timing(Image: Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)
“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.”
Prescription drugs aren’t the only treatments influenced by timing – dietary supplements frequently suffer from poor scheduling, diminishing their potential benefits. Iron supplements, for instance, are commonly consumed during breakfast hours or hastily swallowed with a morning brew before dashing off to work.
Yet dairy products can dramatically limit the amount of iron absorbed by the system. Peter emphasises that milk-based products are typically consumed first thing when individuals enjoy cereals, hot beverages, and various breakfast items.
Peter added: “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. 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 might not be taken at their optimal times – this includes ADHD treatments. Levothyroxine, a medication for hypothyroidism, should ideally be consumed first thing in the morning, a good 30 minutes before any food or drink to maximise absorption.
When it comes to pain relief such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen, these NSAIDS can upset your stomach lining, so it’s wiser to take them with some food or a glass of milk.
Specific ADHD medications, like methylphenidate, are known to potentially disrupt sleep if taken too late in the day, hence a morning dose is preferable to ensure they aid concentration during the day without affecting night time rest.