Dr. Sethi recommended always taking a light snack before popping in any over-the-counter analgesics like Mortin and Ibuprofen
California-based gastroenterologist Dr. Saurabh Sethi has warned against taking painkillers on an empty stomach, saying it could lead to disastrous consequences. According to Dr. Sethi, an alumnus of Harvard and Stanford, he had to see a patient in emergency suffering from a bleeding ulcer and got to know he had been popping headache medicines for a week constantly without eating anything prior.
Documenting the case on social media, Dr. Sethi recommended always taking a light snack before popping in any over-the-counter analgesics like Mortin and ibuprofen.
What happens when you take medicine on an empty stomach?
When doctors prescribe you a medicine on an empty stomach, it is done to ensure the most effective absorption. The changes in the gut with food restrict and so they affect the effectiveness of these particular medicines. However, in some cases, like that of painkillers, elements of food like iron or calcium may bind to chemical structures in medicine.
The types of medicines usually recommended to be taken on an empty stomach include certain types of antibiotics, asthma medicines, and medications for managing the symptoms of arthritis.
However, drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, can irritate your stomach lining, leading to the formation of ulcers, which can even cause bleeding. Doctors say painkillers affect the levels of prostaglandin, which protects your stomach by reducing stomach acid and increasing mucus production. When you take analgesics in large doses or for a long time, less prostaglandin is produced, leading to a lot of acid, which causes problems. Gastrointestinal effects also depend on several factors, including:
Dose
Taking higher doses for long periods of time increases the risks of GI-related problems.
Other health issues
Having certain underlying health conditions like a history of gastric problems, bleeding ulcers, and chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
Individual factors
People who are old or young children have a higher risk of GI and other side effects with the use of painkillers taken on an empty stomach.
What are the several serious side effects?
Painkillers can lead to several GI side effects, including:
- Bleeding ulcers
- Heartburn
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bleeding
- Tear in the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Cramps
- Feeling of fullness
- Bloating
- Gas
Foods you must eat before taking painkillers
To prevent any kind of serious gastric issues, you must eat something before taking an analgesic. According to doctors, it is not important to have a full meal, but a snack in a small quantity would also do to balance the stomach acid and prevent any kind of discomfort.
A few foods you can consider include:
- Nuts
- Soaked almonds
- A fruit like an apple, pear, or banana
- A low-calorie cookie
- A glass of milk
- Granola or breakfast cereal
Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
