If you're taking common medications or tablets such as iron or ibuprofen, then you might want to ensure you're taking them correctly - and we're not referring to swallowing tablets with a glass of water or alongside a meal. Peter Thnoia from PillTime, an NHS-registered online pharmacy, explains that managing multiple prescriptions can be challenging.
Nevertheless, millions of individuals taking long-term medications could be diminishing their effectiveness simply by consuming them at the incorrect time of day. He's cautioned that failing to read the instructions properly can render medicines less effective and heighten the risk of adverse side effects.
"Too often, people don't read or fully follow the instructions that come with their medication – and that can have a real impact on how well those medicines work," says Peter, who has over 20 years' experience in the pharmaceutical sector.
"Something as simple as taking a pill at the wrong time of day, or not alongside food when it's needed, can reduce its effectiveness or even cause unwanted side effects. Building a consistent routine and understanding the 'when' as well as the 'what' of your medication is key to getting the best results for your health."
Statins - stop taking them at this time, reports the Mirror.
Amongst the most frequently prescribed types of medication taken at the incorrect time are certain statins. These are cholesterol-reducing drugs that help safeguard against heart disease.
Millions of people across the UK, especially those aged over 40, are prescribed statins including simvastatin and lovastatin. These particular statins are most effective when taken during the evening hours, as the body's cholesterol production reaches its peak overnight.
Despite this guidance, many individuals continue taking them in the morning purely from routine, alongside their other daily medications. Peter explained: "Many people take their statins in the morning, simply because it's when they take the rest of their medication.
"But for certain types, such as simvastatin, research shows they work best when taken in the evening – when the body naturally produces more cholesterol. If you take them at the wrong time, you could be reducing their effectiveness without even realising it."
Supplements and other medications.
Prescription drugs aren't the only treatments affected by poor timing – dietary supplements are frequently consumed at inappropriate times, diminishing their potential benefits. Iron tablets, for instance, are commonly taken during morning hours with breakfast or hastily with a cup of tea before departing for work.
Yet dairy products can substantially limit the amount of iron absorbed by the body. Peter emphasises that dairy consumption is typically highest in the morning when people consume cereal, tea, coffee and other breakfast items.
"There are plenty of people who take morning supplements like iron tablets to 'get them through the day' – often gulped down quickly before heading to work," he says. "But iron is actually absorbed best on an empty stomach, and things like dairy, tea or coffee can block absorption. That's why the best advice is to take iron tablets as soon as you get up, before breakfast."
Other medications you might be taking at the wrong time include ADHD medications.
Levothyroxine, for an underactive thyroid, is best taken first thing in the morning, at least 30 minutes before consuming food and drink to reduce absorption.
Some pain relief medications, such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen, known as NSAIDS, can irritate the stomach – so it's recommended to take them with food or a glass of milk.
Certain ADHD medications, such as methylphenidate, can cause insomnia if taken too late, so morning doses are advised to manage symptoms during waking hours without disrupting sleep.
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