Drug–Food Interactions and Absorption
Food changes how drugs work.
Some foods reduce absorption.
Some foods increase side effects.
Timing matters a lot.
The stomach breaks food and drugs.
Food can slow gastric emptying.
Slower emptying delays action.
Faster emptying increases peak level.
Fat-rich meals affect lipophilic drugs.
Lipophilic drugs dissolve better in fat.
They absorb more into the bloodstream.
This increases drug effect.
Grapefruit inhibits liver enzymes.
It blocks CYP450 pathways.
This reduces drug breakdown.
Drug levels rise dangerously.
Calcium binds some antibiotics.
It forms complexes.
Complexes reduce absorption.
Less drug reaches the blood.
Alcohol interacts with many medicines.
It increases sedation from depressants.
It changes sugar levels with diabetes drugs.
It can cause liver stress with painkillers.
Doctors recommend guidelines.
Some drugs must be taken with food.
Some must be taken on an empty stomach.
Knowing interactions prevents harm.