There are several things that human beings practically never read, but two stand out above all: the fine print (it doesn’t matter what) and the product prospectuses. medicines. It is true that sometimes reading the side effects can cause more than one hypochondriacal outburst. However, at least we should check the dosage, contraindications and interactions with foods and other drugs. Thus, we would know that there are medications that should not be taken together with food or drinks. But, even for those who can, something that we don’t usually think about and that sometimes isn’t even included in the prospectus is that we should just take the pills with a glass of water.
Normally, in the dosage, in addition to the dosage, it explains how to take the pills. “With plenty of water” or “with a glass of water.” Whether you say it or not, we assume that if we have a soft drink, juice or coffee on hand, it won’t hurt us. Overall, it only serves so that we don’t choke on the pill. Or that’s what we think. But the reality is much more complex.
If we do not take the pills with a glass of water, we can affect the tdisintegration time. This means that the drug does not have the same effect on us and, as such, the condition or symptom we intend to treat may not resolve normally.
Why should we only take the pills with a glass of water?
Although there was previous research on the reasons why we should only take the pills with a glass of water, the most exhaustive study on the matter took place in 2021, in Saudi Arabia.
Its authors decided to test the effects of mixing combinations of five drugs and five different drinks. For the first, they selected five over-the-counter medications in this country: Fevadol, Solpadeine, Relaxon, Artiz and Bufen. The first is composed of paracetamol, the second of paracetamol and codeine, so it is used for catarrhal processes. As for the second, it is a muscle relaxant, while the third is an antihistamine and the last is simply ibuprofen.
Although in other countries, such as Spain, they are not marketed under those names, they are compounds that almost everyone has taken at some point. But have we done it the right way?
These scientists proceeded to mix them with Coca-Cola, Arabica coffee, buttermilk, orange juice, or an energy drink. Furthermore, they compared the disintegration time of each of them if it was mixed with water, both at 5ºC and at 37ºC.
The results demonstrated what was already suspected. That we should only take pills with a glass of water. For fevadol, solpadeine, and relaxon, all disintegration times increased significantly compared to water. With ibuprofen the same thing happened with all drinks, except for coffee, with which there were hardly any differences. Finally, for artiz, disintegration time increased with all drinks except the energy drink and cola.
Why is this bad?
Disintegration is the complete decomposition of a drug in a liquid medium. This means not only includes those that you will encounter once you pass into our digestive tract. The liquid with which the pill has been taken is also taken into account.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that disintegration is the step prior to dissolution of the medication, in which it can be absorbed and begin to perform its function. Therefore, it is essential that it disintegrate completely and that it does so within a certain time, which is perfectly calculated in pharmaceutical laboratories. But these tests are carried out with water. It does not take into account the interaction with other substances.
Therefore, if we do not take the pills with a glass of water, the disintegration time may be longer than calculated and, therefore, the medicine will not be available in the appropriate time.
The specific case of carbonated drinks
Of all the drinks with which we should not take any drugs, the most serious are possibly alcohol, for obvious reasons, and the carbonated ones.
The latter include soft drinks with bubbles, such as cola. The problem is that they have these bubbles thanks to the carbonic acida substance that, as its name indicates, has a acidic pH. When interacting with drugs, iThey interfere with its absorption in the body in two different ways. With some drugs, their absorption increases. That is, a larger dose is obtained at once, so that toxicity. In others, however, absorption is decreased, so that its beneficial effects are reduced.
Therefore, when taking a medication, whatever it may be, to stay healthy, it is always best to take the pills with a glass of water. It does not affect the flavor, it is easily swallowed and it is the best for our health. They are all advantages.