Community Chat

[croemer]

Good to know adelle.

[kittymomNC]

It depends on what you're taking. For instance, Synthroid (for low thyroid) is supposed to be taken at least 4 hours before you take antacids, iron, or vitamin/mineral supplements. Just always be sure to read everything on your label and read the information leaflet that comes with your meds. Different things can affect the efficacy of medications depending on how/when you take them. Also, there are medications that are recommended to be taken in the morning, and some should be taken at night.

[adelle38]

On 10/8/2014 kittymomNC said:

It depends on what you're taking. For instance, Synthroid (for low thyroid) is supposed to be taken at least 4 hours before you take antacids, iron, or vitamin/mineral supplements. Just always be sure to read everything on your label and read the information leaflet that comes with your meds. Different things can affect the efficacy of medications depending on how/when you take them. Also, there are medications that are recommended to be taken in the morning, and some should be taken at night.

That's true. My doctors have always told me to take my thyroid meds first thing in the morning at least an hour before I eat with no supplements. It really depends on what you're taking.

[dooBdoo]

If we're talking about different meds, I take them separately, or in groups, or at certain times of the day based upon my physicians' and my pharmacist's advice. I think most people know this, but it's really important to know understand how they interact with one another (including RX, OTC, all the supplements, and even foods and beverages) and how the body metabolizes them. Frankly, for the most part, my pharmacist knows more about that than my individual docs ... and the docs agree with that statement.

[Lucky Charm]

Croemer~ How scary - he thought he was having a heart attack? I hope he is okay!

[feline groovy]

I've been on multiple prescription meds since my late teens (I'm 51 now), and I take most of them (always with food or milk) together with breakfast.

First thing in the AM gets them 'out of the way for the day'.

There are also additional doses - every 12, 8 or 6, or 4 hours - for those prescribed as twice, three times, or four times daily.

And then there are others that must be taken at a certain time of day, like in the evening or at bedtime.

HTH

* I also take o.t.c. meds and supplements; don't get me started, LOL*

[LaterGator]

I take 19 different meds. Some are shots for diabetes and RA. Of course I take the insulin when I need it and the RA shot I give myself on Friday along with one other pill I only take on Friday. Three days each week, I take a med. All the rest of them are daily so I group them together and take some in the AM and some in the PM. Those mostly include pills that I take two of during the day, one in the morning and one in the evening. I also have three inhalers I use during the day.

Not only is is difficult to remember what pills to take when but it's difficult to remember to make sure I get all the refills when I need too. I actually have a spreadsheet on my computer with this information. Crazy.

(I have COPD, RA and Diabetes - not a fun combo)

[sylviahomeatlast]

I take medication when, how, and with what other medications my doctors say. Also vitamins and any other over the counter.

[sylviahomeatlast]

On 10/8/2014 dooBdoo said:

If we're talking about different meds, I take them separately, or in groups, or at certain times of the day based upon my physicians' and my pharmacist's advice. I think most people know this, but it's really important to know understand how they interact with one another (including RX, OTC, all the supplements, and even foods and beverages) and how the body metabolizes them. Frankly, for the most part, my pharmacist knows more about that than my individual docs ... and the docs agree with that statement.

absolutely--my medicines can become more potent or else are rendered ineffective by combing certain ones, also vitamins, etc

[Phantom41]

On 10/8/2014 kittymomNC said:

It depends on what you're taking. For instance, Synthroid (for low thyroid) is supposed to be taken at least 4 hours before you take antacids, iron, or vitamin/mineral supplements. Just always be sure to read everything on your label and read the information leaflet that comes with your meds. Different things can affect the efficacy of medications depending on how/when you take them. Also, there are medications that are recommended to be taken in the morning, and some should be taken at night.

I am so glad I opened this thread! I've been on Synthroid for 30 years and never had a doctor tell me this. I do take it in the morning and then take my supplements and a couple of hours later take a nexium. Thank you for the info!