Can I take stomach medicine again if 4 hours have passed since the last dose?

　　Gastric medications should be taken with an interval of 4 hours. If the dosing interval is 4 hours or shorter, the medication can generally be taken again. However, if the interval exceeds 4 hours, it usually should not be taken again. If any discomfort symptoms arise, it is recommended to seek medical attention at a hospital promptly and follow the doctor's instructions for treatment.

　　For most gastric medications, such as antacids and gastric mucosal protectants, if the instructions or a doctor's recommendation specify a dosing interval of 4 hours or less, and no adverse reactions occurred after the previous dose, the medication can generally be taken again after 4 hours. This helps maintain an effective drug concentration in the body, achieving continuous relief of gastric discomfort.

　　Some medications have a relatively longer duration of action, typically around 6-8 hours. Taking the medication again within this interval may lead to excessive accumulation of the drug in the body, thereby increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Additionally, gastric medications may interact with other drugs, affecting their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. If a patient repeats the gastric medication within a short period, the risk of such interactions may increase, potentially reducing the effectiveness of the drugs or increasing adverse reactions.

　　Patients should strictly follow medical advice when taking gastric medications, adhering to the dosage and dosing intervals instructed by their doctor. Maintaining good dietary habits and lifestyle practices is also important to promote gastric health.