How to take antibiotics
July 28, 2011 3:35 PM   Subscribe

Instructions for taking antibiotics

Following light surgery for a tooth implant, I'm on antibiotics (penicillin) with the following instructions on the label: "Take 1 tablet 4 times a day 1/2 hour before meals and at bedtime."

Is there a pharmaceutical reason for the "1/2 hour before meal" specification, or is that just a way to obtain spacing over the course of the day? Would it make more sense to space evenly irrespective of mealtimes? If I do it their way, the spacing isn't very even.

I know you are not my doc, or pharmacist, blah blah.

Thanks
posted by Kevin S to Home & Garden (4 answers total)
 
Best answer: Yes, it's an uptake issue. If you take it on a full stomach the uptake of the penicillin is reduced.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 3:38 PM on July 28, 2011 [1 favorite]


Best answer: This is probably to prevent nausea or to aid in the apsorption of the medicine.
posted by catatethebird at 3:39 PM on July 28, 2011


Best answer: Mister Fabulous would seem to be correct.
posted by valkyryn at 3:48 PM on July 28, 2011


When I've been on antibiotics, I've noticed that taking them around the time I have a meal makes my stomach less upset. That could just be subjective experience, though.
posted by dfriedman at 4:11 PM on July 28, 2011


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