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A naively basic medical question

BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
in The potting shed
What is an empty stomach?

My GP has prescribed iron tablets to be taken with a glass of orange juice on an empty stomach. But when is the stomach ‘empty’?

I could take it very first thing in the morning but I would much rather have a cup of tea and a couple of digestives. Perhaps I’ll have a bowl of cereal an hour later. How long after that can the stomach be regarded as empty?

Lunch is maybe crackers and cheese or it could be a piece of toast and an apple - we live high on the hog at Cotto Towers! When could I take the iron tablet after that? 

Or is the empty stomach instruction more of a suggestion?

I’d like to take the tablet at the same time each day to get into a routine. 

I’d welcome anyone’s comments on this. Thanks.


Rutland, England
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Posts

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    @BenCotto, I believe food takes roughly four hours to be digested so the advice to take it on an empty stomach is usually first thing in the morning. Pills I think are usually absorbed within 20-30 mins according to my GP so you'd probably be okay to have your tea and biscuits 30 mins after the pill. 
    I take my lansoprazole half an hour usually before breakfast and that seems to work for me. If I forget, then I take it half an hour or so before lunch.
    Hopefully the medics on here will see this and comment further @punkdoc and @AuntyRach and others.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    We just had this problem with the kids. Antibiotics required four times a day on an empty stomach for ten days. 30 to 60mins before a meal and at least two hours after. It ended up being easier to wake him up in the middle of the night than try to factor all the doses around meals in the day.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    wild edges said:
    30 to 60mins before a meal and at least two hours after.

    That's as I understand it.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    There is probably only one time when the stomach is truly empty, and that is when you wake up.
    One hour before a meal is the next best time.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Taking  iron tablets on an empty stomach can cause  indigestion. Iron tablets take with or straight after food, and preferably with some vitamin C (orange juice or piece of citrus fruit) to help it absorb better.  Have your breakfast, take the tablets, wash down with a glass of orange juice.
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I absolutely agree with @fidgetbones with regard to the iron tablets. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I take lansoprazole which needs to be taken on an empty stomach.
    My GP suggested taking it just before bed which is what I do.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    That depends how soon you eat before going to bed.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I have dinner about 19:30 and I'm tucked-in by about 23:00

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • ErgatesErgates Posts: 2,953
    I have to take my thyroxine on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. I leave my tablet in a small container with a lift off lid beside a glass of water on my bedside table, and take it when I wake up in the early hours for a trip to the loo! I need to leave the container lid off to let me know I’ve taken the tablet! That’s worked well for the past couple of years, although since my recent repairs, I’m starting to sleep through the night. Still wake up to worry about stuff though!
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