Should stomach medicine be taken before or after meals?

Generally speaking, whether stomach medications should be taken before or after meals mainly depends on the specific type of drug. If it is a gastric mucosa protector or a gastrointestinal motility promoter, it is usually recommended to take it before meals. If it is a digestive aid or a drug that neutralizes stomach acid, it is usually advised to take it after meals. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Drugs such as hydrotalcite chewable tablets and colloidal bismuth potassium citrate capsules belong to gastric mucosa protectors, which mainly form a protective layer on the surface of the gastric mucosa. Drugs such as domperidone tablets and mosapride citrate tablets belong to gastrointestinal motility promoters, which can enhance gastrointestinal peristalsis and aid digestion. Therefore, gastric mucosa protectors or gastrointestinal motility promoters are typically taken before meals.

Drugs such as aluminum hydroxide gel and hydrotalcite tablets are antacids that neutralize stomach acid and relieve symptoms such as stomach pain and acid reflux. Digestive aids like Jianwei Xiaoshi tablets help digest food and reduce the burden on the stomach. Therefore, digestive aids or antacid medications are generally recommended to be taken after meals.

During the period of taking stomach medications, attention should be paid to maintaining regular eating habits and avoiding spicy, greasy, and irritating foods, which may affect the drug's effectiveness.